Olympic dream not over for Feng Tianwei

SINGAPORE – Ten days after she was seemingly cast into international wilderness, national paddler Feng Tianwei’s dream of competing at the 2020 Olympic Games was given a new lease of life on Friday (Nov 4).

The Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) announced on Friday that it will continue to support her participation on the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour – which is where players can chalk up rankings points for qualification for major Games like the Olympics.

The three-time Olympic medallist will also be considered for selection for international competitions such as the World Championships, Olympic Games, Commonwealth, Asian and South-east Asian Games if she meets the selection criteria.

While world No 5 Feng will no longer part of the national set-up, she will continue to be supported as a spexScholar, which is governed by the High Performance Sports (HPS) Steering Committee.

In a joint statement issued late Friday night, Sport Singapore (Sport SG) and the STTA said that Feng’s participation would be “subject to specific terms and conditions being met by both parties”.

Details of the terms and conditions, as well as the STTA’s selection policies for the international competitions will be revealed at a later date. 

Sport SG confirmed that Feng had satisfied the conditions of the spexScholarship, as Toh Boon Yi, Chief of the Singapore Sports Institute (SSI) said: “For the scholarship to continue, it was dependent on the ability for her to continue playing at the highest levels of the sport, and be in fair consideration for selection to represent Singapore.”

Added STTA Chief Executive Officer Wong Hui Leng: “We are happy to agree with the High Performance Sports Steering Committee to continue supporting Feng Tianwei through the spexScholarship. 

“As the National Sport Association, we will continue to work with all stakeholders to develop table tennis in Singapore.”

The announcement by both parties comes after a tumultuous two weeks for the sport, with Feng’s axing from the national women’s team sending shockwaves through the local sports fraternity.

While the STTA had cited the need for rejuvenation for its decision not to renew Feng’s contract, reports subsequently emerged that the paddler had been axed after a series of incidents. These included disagreements over prize money, disputed reimbursement claims for food, and disrespect of authority.

Feng has since denied any wrongdoing, and said last week that she will continue to represent Singapore in major Games and international competitions.

She plans to set up her own team of sparring partners, coach and physical trainer in her bid to win more medals at the Tokyo Games in four years’ time.

Responding to queries last night, Feng, who has won a team silver, a team bronze and an individual bronze medal at previous Olympics, said in a statement: “I am happy to have the opportunity to continue representing Singapore.

“And I thank STTA and the High Performance Sports (HPS) Steering Committee for their support.”