Paddlers slam TTAM for Philippines travesty

SIX national paddlers have slammed the Table Tennis Association of Malaysia (TTAM) for their unfair treatment in the lead up to the Philippines Sea Games.

Ho Ying, Leong Chee Feng, Karen Lyne, Alice Chang, Tee Ai Xin and Choong Javen, who held a joint press conference in Bukit Jalil yesterday, are unhappy with TTAM following the national body’s questionable decisions recently.

The six sent a letter to the National Sports Council last month highlighting their dissatisfaction but instead were issued showcause letters by TTAM.

And as a result, long-serving national coach Beh Lee Wei was axed while with Ho Ying, Chee Feng and Karen, all category A players, were dropped from the Sea Games.

The trio have been replaced by Amos Ling, Im Li Ying and Lee Xin Ni.

Alice, Ai Xin and Choong Javen are, however, still in the squad.

Ho Ying said: “As a full-time player who has been training all my life, the situation we are in is really disheartening and is affecting us greatly.

“Their claims about us being indisciplined are not true.

“I believe the Olympic Council of Malaysia did not know the full story when they were conducting the selection process for the Sea Games.”

To add insult to injury, Chee Feng has also been slapped with a six-month ban by the national body.

“The management claims that I had slammed the table (during a discussion) and that I was impolite, which is not accurate,” said Chee Feng.

Chee Feng and Ho Ying are both multiple Sea Games medallists.