STTA sacks national paddler Li Hu for insubordination

SINGAPORE – National table tennis player Li Hu has had his contract terminated by the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) after a disciplinary committee found him guilty of repeated insubordination.

Made up of STTA vice president Lim Soon Hock, and management committee members Han Ngge Juan and Lee Yan Peng, the panel conducted a disciplinary investigation and hearing, which concluded at 10.30pm on Monday (Oct 24).

The hearing concluded that Li had brought a woman into the team dormitory on several occasions, despite several verbal warnings.

CCTV footage produced during the hearing showed that the woman will visit the dormitory late in the night regularly and leave in the mornings, and on some occasions during working hours.

“The STTA does not tolerate indiscipline,” said Lim, who is also the chairman of STTA’s disciplinary committee.

“Li Hu’s repeated breaches of the Code of Conduct is a cause of serious concern to the STTA.  Despite being verbally warned on several occasions, Li Hu continued to breach the dormitory and house rules.

“His insubordination is unacceptable and is not tolerated. It was a unanimous decision by the Disciplinary Committee to early terminate Li Hu’s contract for his repeated code of conduct breaches.”

According to a media release sent by STTA late on Monday, the decision to terminate Li Hu’s contract was also based on his other disciplinary issues throughout his employment with the STTA.

In January this year, Li Hu was issued a final warning letter for another indiscretion and he was also informed by writing that any further misconduct will warrant a termination of his employment.