MANY in Singapore are shocked at the seemingly rash decision by the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) to sack table-tennis team manager Antony Lee.

According to media reports, its new president, Ms Lee Bee Wah, was just appointed last month, making this her "first foray into sports".

Singapore has just won its long-overdue second Olympic medal after a 48-year hiatus.

This achievement is the culmination of government and STTA policies as well as the hard work of players and support staff, which include team manager Lee and head coach Liu Guodong.

The country was looking forward to welcoming these heroes and heroines home.

Notwithstanding the incident where no coach was present at Gao Ning's match, is the STTA's action justified? We wait with bated breath to hear why such drastic action had to be taken without a proper inquiry being carried out.

The alleged infraction must have been extremely grave to warrant immediate dismissal in Beijing.

Project 0812 chairman Ng Ser Miang is not the only one who is puzzled - the whole of Singapore is too.

Dr Huang Shoou Chyuan

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