Liu Guodong, former coach of Singapore's women's table tennis team has revealed that the new salary offered to him by the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) was $6,300. After being criticised by large numbers of netizens, he felt the need to quash rumours that he was offered as much as $8,000.

Liu, who recently led the Singapore table tennis team to a silver at the Beijing Olympics told Lianhe Wanbao that while they offered him a salary rise of 40% from $4,500 to $6,300, they did not offer him $8,000 as many believed.

When Liu was interviewed by Wanbao about his resignation on Oct 12, he had said that he was unhappy with the new contract as he was not being re-appointed as head coach for the national team, and also because the monthly salary was less than the $9,000 he expected.

"I don't want people to have the impression that I am only coaching in Singapore for the money," he said.

He also said that his salary in the first two years in Singapore was $3,500 and only increased to $4,500 this year. His package did not include lodging or other allowances.

"We stay at the STTA hostels. Monthly rent is $300. Other coaches share a room; I have my own room."

He said that while the new contract offered him $6,300, in effect it was $6,000 after deducting the monthly rent.

It's not about the money

Liu thought the salary offered was still acceptable, but was upset that he was not re-appointed as head coach.

"I felt that they could have retained my position as head coach. I don't have to coach the men's team, I don't mind focusing on the women's team.

"Everyone contributed to winning the silver medal, the other coaches also worked very hard. I thought if my salary increased, they would similarly receive better treatment too."

Meanwhile, STTA is looking for a new coach for the women's team.

STTA CEO Mr Chew Soo Sheng was quoted as saying: "We should put this matter behind us. We are now sourcing for a new coach for the women's team."

Senior Parliamentary Secretary of MCYS Teo Ser Luck had said in a previous statement that the offer was made to Liu studying the salaries of coaches from other countries, and it took into account Liu's contributions towards the team thus far.

Former national paddler Tan Paey Fern is currently the youth team's assistant coach. Tan, 35, is a five-time SEA games gold medallist and has been representing Singapore in international competitions since 1991.

However, sources from the table tennis fraternity estimate that while Liu's contracted salary is $6,300, his annual salary should be close to $100,000 after adding bonuses and other income, which is equivalent to about $8,000 a month.

This is much higher than what former Singapore national team coaches were paid. Estimates derived by LianHe Wanbao  showed that most coaches are paid about $2,000, and up to a maximum of $5,000 per month.

Private coaches, on the other hand, can earn about $5,000 to $6,000 monthly. But work engagements for them are not regular, and they generally work only 8 to 9 months of the year.

Wanbao also estimated that Liu's brother, Liu Guoliang, who is the coach for China's men's national team, earns at least 500,000 yuan ($109,650) a year, with food and lodging provided by the Chinese government.

Liu also said that Hong Kong's head coach, Hui Jun, earns about $10,000 a month.

Others in the fraternity estimate that with bonuses, his annual income could be up to HK$800,000 ($150,000), but they also say that Hong Kong's team is sponsored by entrepreneurs, unlike Singapore's team.

Also, they said that Hui Jun was a former world table tennis champion, and Liu should not use him as a benchmark.