By: 永久浪客/Forever Vagabond
ST reported today that national table tennis player Li Hu had been suspended by Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA). He was punished for disciplinary issues.
STTA president and former MP Ellen Lee told ST, “Li Hu’s (contract) has not been terminated yet. He has been suspended. We’re going to form a disciplinary committee; it should be quite soon.”
When interviewed, Li admitted that he had failed to abide by team rules and it was his misconduct that led to his suspension.
He said in Mandarin, “I made a mistake – everyone does. I’m genuinely sorry and I’m willing to admit my wrongdoing. I just hope that the STTA will give me a chance.”
“I want to continue playing for Singapore and I can still play for many years. I believe I still have a lot to contribute to Singapore table tennis and can help bring more glory to the country,” he added. “I definitely never had the intention to call it a day.”
Li is a Hubei native from China. He arrived in Singapore in 2010 and was immediately given citizenship the following year. In this year’s Rio Olympics, the Singapore men’s team failed to qualify in the team event for the first time.
Under CPIB probe
Meanwhile, the media also reported that Li is currently under CPIB probe (‘National table tennis player under CPIB probe‘).
CPIB officers were seen at STTA yesterday. According to sources, Li and his relative were being investigated for alleged attempted bribery of an official from STTA. The media did not reveal the identity of the official.
It is not known if the alleged bribery attempt is linked to his suspension in STTA.
President Ellen Lee declined to comment on the matter and CPIB would only say, “Due to the nature of our work, we will not confirm or deny whether any individual or identity is being investigated for corrupt practices.”
Li, however, insisted to the media that he had not broken any laws.
Earlier this month, a former PRC woman was sentenced to four weeks’ jail for attempting to bribe a police officer with $10,000.
In Apr this year, an ASP and 2 other officers were sent to Fortune Centre in Middle Road after a tip-off about vice activities. They went to a beauty and spa shop and saw the woman, Zhu Kuai, 42, inside. When she saw them, she immediately closed the shop’s main door.
The officers then approached to investigate. Condoms were later found in a letterbox. It was at this time she tried to “settle” with the ASP for $10,000. She said, “I give you $10,000.” The ASP rejected her and she was subsequently arrested. It was also later revealed that Zhu had been convicted under the Massage Establishments Act before.
Like the national table tennis player Li Hu, Zhu is also now a new citizen in Singapore.
“There is nothing money can’t fix”
There is a saying in China – “There is nothing money can’t fix” (没有钱解决不了的事).
Such thinking is quite pervasive in the Chinese society these days.
Recently at an electronic game competition on TV, Wang Sicong who is the son of China’s richest man Wang Jianlin, the chairman of Wanda group, wanted to buy up a good game player.
When told that the player may have a character of his own, Wang said in front of TV that there is no matter that money can’t fix.