<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Nov 17, 2008
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>STTA hopes to raise $500k <!--10 min-->
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Lin Xinyi
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From left: Wang Yuegu, Lee Jia Wei, STTA president Er Lee Bee Wah and Feng Tianwei. -- ST PHOTO: SHAHRIYA YAHAYA
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->GOT $500,000? If so, the training hall at the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) could be named after you.
In turn, the money will be used to develop local youth talent and look after the welfare of national players after they retire.
STTA president Er Lee Bee Wah revealed these new plans at a press conference on Monday.
Er Lee is hoping to raise at least $500,000 during a fund raising dinner at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel will be held on Jan 12 next year.
Prime Minster Lee Hsien Loong will be gracing the occasion.
Er Lee said: "We are planning to set up a scholarship fund for our national players. This is to recognise the sacrifice they've made during their playing days, and to support them in their career after retirement."
The scholarship fund will be used to allow ex-national paddlers to further their studies, in whichever field they want.
Part of the money raised will also go towards grooming national paddlers of tomorrow.
Over the last two months, the STTA has conducted a pilot project - teaching kindergarten students the game.
Close to 98 students in Nee Soon South played table tennis once a week for six weeks.
Due to the positive response, the STTA wants to roll out this programme to PAP Community Foundation kindergartens islandwide, so that talents can be spotted from as young as five years old.
Training will be free of charge, and kids who show potential will be invited to train at one of four regional training centres at Toa Payoh, Bishan, Clementi and Tampines.
With sufficient funding, there could even be a fifth training zone at Yishun Stadium. "I know that it is quite a difficult time to raise funds now," said Er Lee. "But with the help of everyone, I'm confident we can make this happen."
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>STTA hopes to raise $500k <!--10 min-->
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Lin Xinyi
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
From left: Wang Yuegu, Lee Jia Wei, STTA president Er Lee Bee Wah and Feng Tianwei. -- ST PHOTO: SHAHRIYA YAHAYA
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->GOT $500,000? If so, the training hall at the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) could be named after you.
In turn, the money will be used to develop local youth talent and look after the welfare of national players after they retire.
STTA president Er Lee Bee Wah revealed these new plans at a press conference on Monday.
Er Lee is hoping to raise at least $500,000 during a fund raising dinner at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel will be held on Jan 12 next year.
Prime Minster Lee Hsien Loong will be gracing the occasion.
Er Lee said: "We are planning to set up a scholarship fund for our national players. This is to recognise the sacrifice they've made during their playing days, and to support them in their career after retirement."
The scholarship fund will be used to allow ex-national paddlers to further their studies, in whichever field they want.
Part of the money raised will also go towards grooming national paddlers of tomorrow.
Over the last two months, the STTA has conducted a pilot project - teaching kindergarten students the game.
Close to 98 students in Nee Soon South played table tennis once a week for six weeks.
Due to the positive response, the STTA wants to roll out this programme to PAP Community Foundation kindergartens islandwide, so that talents can be spotted from as young as five years old.
Training will be free of charge, and kids who show potential will be invited to train at one of four regional training centres at Toa Payoh, Bishan, Clementi and Tampines.
With sufficient funding, there could even be a fifth training zone at Yishun Stadium. "I know that it is quite a difficult time to raise funds now," said Er Lee. "But with the help of everyone, I'm confident we can make this happen."
