Malaysia’s Alice Chang in action during the women’s singles table tennis game at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games at the Oxenford Studios venue in Gold Coast, in this April 10, 2018 file photo. — AFP photo
KUCHING: Alice Chang Li Sian is selected but Karen Lynn Dick is left out of the Malaysian team for the SEA Games in Manila, the Philippines from Nov 30 to Dec 11.
The decision affecting the top two Sarawak female paddlers resulted from a recent twist of events on the national scene.
Joining Chang in the Manila-bound squad are Tee Ai Xin, Im Li Ying and Lee Xin Ni for women while the men’s team comprises Muhammad Ashraf Haiqal, Wong Qi Shen, Choong Javen and Amos Ling Yi Heng.
“I feel honoured to be able to represent Malaysia and I will try to do my very best to get a good result for my country,” said Chang yesterday.
It will be the second SEA Games for the 19-year-old who was the youngest ever national singles champion when she was only 15.
She won a bronze in the women’s team event at the 2017 Games in Kuala Lumpur.
However, 16-year-old Karen Lynn Dick – who was initially listed in the squad – has been replaced.
According to a recent statement by the Table Tennis Association Malaysia (TTAM), Karen and Malacca’s Ho Ying (who are in the National Sports Council’s Podium programme for the nation’s elite athletes in various sports) were not dropped from the national squad but have left its development programme for the SEA Games.
The pair, who won the 2018 Commonwealth Games women doubles bronze, are replaced by Im Li Ying and Lee Xin Ni.
“Ho Ying and Karen initially signed acceptance letter on August 13, 2019 to undergo centralised training conducted by TTAM with coach Mu Tong whom TTAM engaged as part of its development programme to ensure TTAM continues to develop talents to become podium abled players.
“Ho Ying and Karen, however, signed with National Sports Council (NSC) to undergo training with local coach Beh
Lee Wei on August 22, 2019 signifying they opt out from TTAM development programme,” TTAM vice president Dr Chin Kuen Liang clarified.
He said TTAM is always open to further discussion with NSC and to find an amicable solution to ensure the development of table tennis in Malaysia.
TTAM said it pays a high premium on centralised training for all its players which it believes is important in building team spirit.
“Centralised training is key to high performance in any major tournaments as constant sparring is required and having all athletes in one central location helps build team spirit.
“We need all athletes to undergo TTAM’s development programme for their success and ultimately for our country’s success.
“By opting out, we have no choice but to replace them,” Chin explained.
The national association stressed that it has been making commendable progress this year since the new committee took office in 2018.
It highlighted Malaysia winning two gold, three silver and five bronze medals at the SEA Junior Championships in Bangkok in June, winning a historical bronze medal for men’s team event at the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in India in July, Alice Chang selected by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) for the Olympic Solidarity Programme, Under-15 paddler Lee Xin Ni selected by ITTF for the 2019 World Hopes Team and 11-year old Gan Ai Li who won a team bronze in the Under-18 category at the Malaysia Youth Table Tennis Championship.
TTAM, Chin added, is now undergoing a re-invention exercise by emulating a “high impact performance” model.
“By doing so, TTAM would expect strong resistance from the old system structure, therefore changes may be hard but inevitable if we want to progress.
“Naturally people are always resistant to change as it takes them out of their comfort zone.
“Our goal is clear. We are targeting eight years to produce GOLD in Commonwealth Games and other international competition in the region,” Chin said further.