Zhang quits STTA to join husband

THIS time last year, paddler Zhang Xueling was looking for an HDB flat to settle in.

Yesterday, the 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist decided to pack up and leave the Singapore Table Tennis Association.

She will head for Shanghai, where her husband Zheng Qi resides, later this month.

Zheng, the former national men's assistant coach, left last December.

Said Zhang: 'The main reason I'm leaving is that my husband has gone back to Shanghai.

'This is not a rash decision. I've been thinking of leaving for about a month.'

The couple met here in 2001 and were married last September.

She refused to comment on the other factors that led to her resignation.

It is believed that her relationship with the STTA has soured in recent months.

She is also unhappy with the lack of top-quality tournaments. She was dropped from the last five pro-tour events.

The 2006 Asian Games in Doha was her last competitive outing.

The world's No 52 plans to train in Shanghai and has no qualms about representing Singapore again.

She said: 'If Singapore wants me, I will come back to represent my country.'

Other than training, she hopes to continue studying. She has also not ruled out the possibility of starting a family.

The China-born Zhang, who became a Singapore citizen in 2001, admits that it is very hard to say goodbye.

'I can't even throw away my blanket, which I've used since coming to Singapore almost nine years ago.'

STTA president Choo Wei Khiang believes that Zhang's departure will not weaken the women's team.

He said: 'We have a strong group of players. I've tried to persuade her to stay. But she wants to be with her family and we have to respect that.'

Teammate Li Jiawei added: 'It's a pity that she has decided to go.'

Zhang's achievements include reaching the last eight of the 2004 Olympics and sweeping four golds at the last Commonwealth and SEA Games.

However, she could not single out her proudest moment in Singapore colours.

She said: 'But I will remember the times spent in training - times when I had to sweat it out.

'And then to see the rewards of all the hard work.'

stsports@sph.com.sg



'I'm leaving because my husband went back to Shanghai. I never expected such a turn of events. But this is not a rash decision.'
ZHANG XUELING