The next generation of Singapore paddlers in the foreground, the latest Team Singapore news

A group of young paddlers aged 25 and under will represent Singapore from Qatar at the Asian Table Tennis Championships in Doha today Tuesday.

To prepare for life after the final retirement of world No. 10 Feng Tianwei and 32nd-ranked Yu Mengyu – both aged 30 – the Singapore Table Tennis Association has boldly embarked on a move to younger and inexperienced players for the women’s team event.

In the quarterfinals of the SM Division, where they play the second of the best teams in two levels, the world’s No. 61 Lin Ye leads the women’s team.

He directs his younger teammates Goi Rui Xuan (192), Wong Xin Ru (193), Zhang Wan Ling (412) and 16-year-old Zhou Jingyi.

Although Zhou ranked 850th, Zhou has shown potential as a youth player when he reached fifth in the world in the under-15 girls rankings.

While the new lineup is expected to lower standards, their reason has been helped by the withdrawal of the defending champions China and North Korea, who finished fifth in 2019.

Singapore, in the women’s team competition 2007, 2009 and 2011, won bronze in 2003, 2013 and 2019 with veterans.

National women’s coach Hao Anlin said: “As we enter the new Olympic round, we want to give our younger players a chance to test and prove themselves on the international stage.

“Our goal is to provide them with visibility and experience so we have the continuity to stay competitive among the best teams. I want the players to appreciate each of their matches and keep improving.”

Prior to the Asian Championships – which include singles, doubles and team events – paddlers had tasted the action at the WTT Star Contender in the same location.

Enthusiastic Zhou said: “It’s really an eye opener for me, as I’m participating in such a big competition for the first time.

“I met many table tennis stars (who) have inspired me to practice and work even harder to become like them. The coaches and teammates are all very supportive and encouraging towards me, so the transition from youth to parents has been quite smooth.

“I want to play to the best of my ability, learn more from seniors and gain valuable experience.”

Meanwhile, the men’s team is led by former world number one under the age of 18 and SEA Games men’s singles champion Koen Pang (160th) and Clarence Chew (180th), who became Singapore’s first locally born male defender in July. Olympics in Tokyo. The other members of the team are Josh Chua (395), Beh Kun Ting (420) and Lucas Tan (682).

They play in the second series in Doha and finish first in Group 1, which includes Nepal and Palestine, and rank among the top two in the division to reach the championship series.

Chew, a 25 and veteran of the Asian Championships 2011, 2013 and 2015, said: “I look forward to competing again in this event and I hope I have a similar mindset as I would have performed at the Olympics and a good performance.

“I hope to be able to help guide and support younger players, especially in doubles and team events, and most importantly, help the team get to the teams’ World Cup next year.”

To do this, they must rank among the top ten in Doha. However, national male coach Gao Ning has set them the goal of retaining at least eighth place from 2019 and wants them to play without fear of the outcome.