A former technical director of the Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) was charged on Thursday with two counts of corruption.

Zheng Qingjin, 64, is said to have accepted $3,000 from Mr You Guangli on Jan 29, 2004 to recommend him for the post of chief coach (women) of the SBA.

A year later (Feb '05), he allegedly accepted another $3,000 from Mr You in return for recommeding SBA to renew the Chinese national's employment contract for another two years.

Part of Zheng's duties was to recruit coaches for the national badminton teams. Both are no longer with the association.

After the charges were read to him, Zheng told the court that that the money was given to repay his kindness after Mr You got the post. He denied any corrupt intent.

If convicted, he faces a fine of up to $100,000 or a jail term of up to five years, or both, on each charge.

A pre-trial conference will be held on Nov 13.

He was offered bail of $8,000.