By Lim Han Ming

IT IS not written in black and white in the players' contracts what plans the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) has for them once their playing days are over.

But the STTA certainly will not leave their players in the lurch, especially those who have put in distinguished years of service.

In an interview with The New Paper, STTA president Lee Bee Wah said that the association will do whatever it can to help the retired players adjust to life after sports.

She said: 'It is not stated in the players' contracts the after-career plans we have for them, but we will definitely support the players' future plans, depending on what they want to do.

'We're in constant communication with our players.'

In the best case scenario, the STTA would welcome with open arms any former national player who intends to make the natural progression to coaching and groom the next generation of national players.

Cai Xiaoli, the longest-serving player in the men's team, has expressed his interest to stay on at STTA as a coach after he hangs up his bat.

Lee said: 'Xiaoli told me that he wants to become a coach after he retires.

'We will send him for coaching courses to advance his career as a coach.'

Lee said that the STTA will look after the interests of all players, no matter if they are locals or foreign-born talent.

She said: 'Previously, we did not really look into this area. But this is one area we need to address if we are to attract more local players to train on a full-time basis.

'In Singapore, parents are very concerned about life after sports.

'Most of them think that there is no future in sports.

'What I want to tell the parents is that we will definitely look after the players when their playing careers are over.

'When they are with the national team, we expect them to train on a full-time basis.

'But once they retire, we will do our best to prepare them for life after sports.'

But not every player aspires to be a coach after the curtain comes down on their careers.

The Republic's top women paddler Li Jiawei, for one, hopes to pursue her studies at the Beijing University after she retires, as Lee revealed.

Lee said: 'Jiawei told me that she wants to pursue her studies after she retires.

'She has not decided which course she wants to pursue, but it seems that her inclination is towards communication studies.

'We will try to help her get a place in Beijing University.'

Lee said that the STTA hopes to start a scholarship for the players who have put aside their studies during their competitive days to bring glory to the country.

But wouldn't it be a waste if foreign-born talent such as Li does not stay on as coaches to impart expertise and experience to the younger generation?

Lee said: 'We have to respect her decision. If her intention is not to become a coach, then there's nothing we can do about it.

'If Jiawei wants to pursue her studies, then the STTA will try to help her accomplish her goal.

'Singapore is her home and she may come back to pursue a second career here.

'We want to help our players after they retire, even if their plans are not related to table tennis.

'These players have sacrificed many years of their lives to bring glory for Singapore, so it's only right that we look after them when their careers are over.'