National table tennis player under investigation by CPIB

SINGAPORE - National paddler Li Hu, who won honours for the Republic at the Asian and Commonwealth Games, is expected to be axed from the national men's table tennis team for misconduct, sources have told TODAY.

According to The Straits Times and The New Paper, the 28-year-old had been suspended by the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) for failing to abide by the team rules, and that his fate will be decided by a disciplinary committee soon. It is understood that the world No 58 player had allegedly committed an indiscretion while staying at the STTA's hostel in Toa Payoh. He was asked to vacate the premises last weekend.

Li is also assisting the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) with an investigation. Media reports also said that a national men's player - said to be Li - and a member of his family are being investigated for an alleged attempt to bribe an STTA official.

Sources have told TODAY that both incidents could be related.

When contacted by TODAY, STTA chief executive officer Wong Hui Leng said in a statement: "The STTA declines comment as the matter is currently under investigation."

If Li is axed by the STTA, his exit will be a blow to the national men's table tennis team, as the former world junior champion - who partnered Gao Ning to a first-ever bronze medal in the men's doubles at the 2014 Asian Games - was expected to succeed veteran paddlers Gao and Yang Zi.

This incident also follows from what has been a turbulent time for the women's team, which saw 10 months of conflict and coaching shake-ups that culminated in a poor showing at the Rio Olympic Games.

The team returned empty-handed from the Games for the first time since 2008. Just last month, TODAY reported that the some members of the women's team could opt to be managed independently from the STTA as they were unhappy with their set-up at the association.