by Ian Marshall, Editor

Lin Ye is the most experienced of the newcomers, having won three ITTF World Tour under 21 women’s singles titles.

Notably in 2013 she beat Japan’s Mima Ito in the final in Poland, before one year later succeeding in the Philippines at the expense of colleague Zhou Yihan and in 2015 securing the title in Olomouc at the expense of Korea Republic’s Choi Hyojoo.

It is in those footsteps that Wang Xinru, a familiar face on the ITTF World Junior Circuit, in recent years seek to tread.

Meanwhile, very much the prominent name amongst the men is that of Pang Yew En Koen; most notably he reached the quarter-final stage of the men’s singles event at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games. Likewise Josh Shao Han Chua impressed last year on the ITTF World Junior Circuit, he advanced to the junior boys’ singles semi-final round in both Hong Kong and in Serbia.

Ready for Budapest but prior to departure there is a tradition to be applauded.

On Monday 1st April 2019 at 9.30 am, the team and coaches will visit the Old Peoples Home at Lee Ah Mooi; the home provides affordable, professional and person care for the elderly regardless of race, language or religion.

Ms Ellen Lee, JP, PBM, President of the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) will lead the party of players and coaches.

“We hope that our paddlers can bring joy and cheer to the elderly residents before their departure to the World Table Tennis Championships. Our paddlers will do their utmost best at the upcoming World Table Tennis Championships. The STTA has always been committed to growing the sport and introducing more new players into the national team. We are focused on a gradual push and the World Championships offers the best competitive platform to our new players.”

Members of the local media are invited and before Friday 29th March make suitable arrangements by contacting:

Laura Wong – Email: [email protected]