A happy ending -Singapore Table Tennis

A happy ending -Singapore Table Tennis

Women’s team trio greeted by 300 cheering fans at Olympic celebration

By Lin Xinyi

Less than 24 hours after the sombre meeting which ended the recent table tennis controversy, national paddlers Li Jiawei, Feng Tianwei and Wang Yuegu were all smiles again.
The trio, who bagged the women’s team silver medal at the Beijing Olympic Games, were greeted by loud cheers from the 300 fans at the Olympic celebration and autograph session at Ang Mo Kio Hub’s FairPrice Xtra yesterday morning.

Their relaxed demeanour was in stark contrast to their sullen expressions in recent days following the Gao Ning incident at the Beijing Olympics.

Gao had crashed out in the third-round singles after playing without a coach.

An upset Singapore Table Tennis Association president Lee Bee Wah then revealed that team manager Antony Lee’s services were no longer needed, and that head coach Liu Guodong’s fate would be decided by a coaching committee.

Fans were furious over the announcement as it had dampened the nation’s mood to celebrate its first Olympic medal in 48 years.

But Ms Lee brought the smiles back on Friday when she said sorry.

Yesterday, Ms Lee, along with the players, Liu and Lee, looked decidedly more chirpy when the fans applauded them.

The cheerfulness of the women’s team trio did not escape student Habe Choo.

The 15-year-old said: ‘They look much more cheerful. Now that the problem has been resolved, we can all celebrate.’

The women’s team were at the supermarket to thank fans for their support and to sign autographs.

They shook hands, accepted presents and chatted with the fans during the 30-minute session.

Fifteen minutes before the event began at 10am, the queue for autographs had already snaked out of the supermarket.

Many of them had also turned up at the Raffles City Shopping Centre on Monday to welcome back Team Singapore.

Then, the scheduled autograph session was cancelled.

Others, who were at the supermarket by chance, bagged more than they bargained for.

Said IT consultant Tan Kiang Huat, 46, who does grocery shopping every Saturday but did not know about the event beforehand: ‘I didn’t get an autograph, but getting up close to them is enough.’

Singapore’s top paddler Li was delighted with the turn-out, saying: ‘It was great to meet the fans.

‘I need to thank them for the support they’ve given me all these years.’

Source : Straits Times - 31 Aug 2008

Singapore Property - Buy, Sell, Rent, Invest

Mindy Yong

(+65)91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com

15,000 stranded in Thailand Phuket

15,000 stranded in Thailand Phuket 

Anti-govt protests force indefinite closure of Thailand’s second-busiest airport 
  

Phuket - More than 15,000 passengers were stranded yesterday on the holiday isle of Phuket as officials said the airport would be closed indefinitely due to ongoing anti-government protests.
Thailand’s second-busiest airport was closed on Friday afternoon after 5,000 protesters set up a blockade and marched down the tarmac, forcing the authorities to suspend flights to and from the island.

About 1,000 protesters from the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which is also squatting in the main government compound in Bangkok, blocked access to the airport yesterday.

The airport’s director Wicha Nurnlop said the protesters had refused to negotiate with the authorities on reopening the runway.

‘Phuket airport is shutting down indefinitely,’ he added.

So far, more than 100 flights have been cancelled, including 25 on international routes, leaving 15,000 passengers stranded, said Mr Wicha.

Phuket’s tourism authority and hotels’ associations are scrambling to help stranded tourists by handing out room discounts and arranging buses out of the island for those who need to catch connecting flights from Bangkok.

The timing could not be worse for the popular tourist destination, which will soon head into its peak tourist season.

With most Europeans choosing country packages for the peak year-end travel season around now, Thai travel agents are worried that the protests may drive Phuket’s customers to Bali or Vietnam instead.

The closure of Phuket airport - the second-busiest in Thailand after Bangkok - could hit the tourism industry hard as a third of the 15 million to 16 million visitors to the country each year go to the resort.

The nearby Krabi airport also has been closed since Friday evening. But the southern airport in Hat Yai reopened for a Thai Airways flight early yesterday, after protesters had forced its closure on Friday.

Thailand’s political troubles have already prompted South Korea to advise its nationals to avoid travelling to the country ‘until calm returns’.

As for the travellers who are caught in the middle, they just want out. One frustrated Australian told Agence France-Presse: ‘I want to go home. I have nothing to do with this situation.’

Reuters, AFP

Source : Straits Times  - 31 Aug 2008

Singapore Property - Buy, Sell, Rent, Invest

Mindy Yong

(+65)91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com

I won’t quit, says Samak as tensions rise - Thailand

I won’t quit, says Samak as tensions rise  - Thailand

Protesters threaten to topple Thai PM by bringing down the financial system
 
By Nirmal Ghosh, Thailand Correspondent 
  
Bangkok - There was no end in sight to the tense political stand-off in Thailand last night as embattled Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej vowed not to quit in the face of anti-government protests.
At the same time, Mr Sondhi Limthongkul, a leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), said his people would not back down either and threatened to step up the pressure until Mr Samak is toppled.

He raised the possibility of a massive withdrawal of money from banks by wealthy PAD supporters.

‘The whole financial system of Thailand will go down the drain,’ he told reporters.

He also said the PAD, which overran terminals and tarmacs at Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai on Thursday, closing down the airports, could do it again ‘any time’.

‘We closed the airports to tell the government that we can do this on a much, much larger scale if you do not listen to us,’ he said.

Yesterday, although Hat Yai airport reopened, both Phuket and Krabi airports remained shut, leaving thousands of tourists stranded.

Asked when the PAD protest would end, Mr Sondhi said: ‘When Mr Samak resigns.’

Asked how far he was willing to go, he replied: ‘As far as it takes.’

Although the atmosphere was calmer yesterday than the day before, when police fired tear gas to repel an assault on their Bangkok headquarters, thousands of PAD supporters continued to occupy the grounds of Government House.

At a public ceremony in the afternoon, Mr Samak declared : ‘I occupy this post legally and I will never resign despite the pressures and threats.

‘If I have to step down, it has to be because of the law, not because of threats.’

Mr Samak later flew to Hua Hin for an audience with King Bhumibol Adulyadej to update him on the political situation.

On his return to Bangkok, he met leaders of other parties in his ruling coalition.

While Mr Samak avoided the press, the other coalition leaders held a press conference in the evening, at which they made known their continued support for the Prime Minister. They also said they backed stronger measures to curb the protests.

‘All coalition partners are sticking together and there is no change in leadership,’ said Mr Somchai Wongsawat, a deputy leader of the People’s Power Party (PPP).

Mr Surapong Suebwonglee, another deputy leader of the PPP, added: ‘We will listen to the PAD, but we have to say that the PAD does not represent the majority of the population.’

The coalition leaders said Parliament would provide the best forum to work out a solution to the crisis.

A special joint session of the House and Senate is scheduled for this afternoon.

Earlier in the day, there were rumours that Mr Banharn Silpa-archa, leader of Chart Thai, a key coalition partner, may replace Mr Samak as prime minister.

But one of his spokesmen told The Sunday Times: ‘It’s wait and see at the moment; everything depends on the main party (PPP).’

Meanwhile, the opposition Democrat Party is showing more overtly its support for the PAD. Senior Democrat Party MPs visited the protesters at Government House yesterday, a day after party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva did the same.

And tensions rose yesterday when some 5,000 pro-government supporters gathered at the Sanam Luang grounds, a couple of kilometres from Government House, with many more reportedly on the way from PPP’s power base in the north and north-east of the country.

For the moment, the military is against imposing a state of emergency. Neither is the army chief, General Anupong Paochinda, in favour of an army takeover.

But some reports, quoting military sources, said the top brass have also indicated to Mr Samak that their patience is finite and he has to find a solution quickly.

Source : Straits Times  - 31 Aug 2008

Singapore Property - Buy, Sell, Rent, Invest

Mindy Yong

(+65)91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com

Mulberry Tree @167 Moulmein Road - Singapore - District 11

Mulberry Tree @167 Moulmein Road - Singapore - District 11

Mulberry Tree @167 Moulmein Road

Street Name: Moulmein Road

District / Estate: 11

Tenure = Freehold

Floor(s)/Storey = 28 storey

D11 Freehold - Soho concept/Retro style Apartments
 TOP 2012
 
a 5 storey of 32 units

Swimming pool with water therapy feature

Gym/Jacuzzi, BBQ pit & communal facilities
 
6 units :        2 bedroom         -            667sq ft & 732 sq ft
12 units:        1 bedroom           -          from 441 sq ft - 602 sq ft
6 units:          1+1 bedroom           -        646 sq ft
2 units:          1 bedroom (high ceiling)   -    570sq ft & 603 sq ft
6 units:          Penthouse size         -            1087 sq ft,1270 sq ft & 1356 sq ft

Maintenance : $200, Surface car park

 
COMPELLING REASONS TO BUY:

2 minutes’ walk to Novena MRT Station
2 MRT stops away to Orchard MRT
2 majors shopping malls- VELOCITY & United Square
 
300m  SJI Junior and with 2 km of ACS Barker Road and CHIJ(Toa Payoh)
grade A office buildings with good catchment of potential tenants, making it a sound investment property.
 
Medical hub. Good potential as resale property to foreigners seeking close proximity to medical services, as well as rental property to professionals working at medical hub.
Floor Plans 
 
Type A (2 bedroom, 66 sqm)
Type B (2 bedroom, 62 sqm)
Type C (1 bedroom, 41 sqm)
Type C1 (1 bedroom, 56 sqm)
Type D (1+1 bedroom, 60 sqm)
Type E (1 bedroom, 42 sqm)
Type F (1 bedroom, 42 sqm)
Type G (1+1 bedroom, 60 sqm)
Type H (1 bedroom, 40 sqm)
Type H1 (1 bedroom, 53 sqm)
Type PHA (2 bedroom, 118 sqm)
Type PHB (2 bedroom, 118 sqm)
Type PHD (3 bedroom, 126 sqm)
Type PHE (2 bedroom, 101 sqm)
Type PHF (2 bedroom, 101 sqm)
Type PHG (3 bedroom, 126 sqm)
 

Singapore Property - Buy, Sell, Rent, Invest

Mindy Yong

(+65)91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com

Singapore MCYS says table tennis saga is over

Singapore MCYS says table tennis saga is over

SINGAPORE: The controversy surrounding the Singapore Table Tennis Association has been called to a close by the Ministry for Community Development, Youth and Sports.

ADVERTISEMENT
   
In a special media conference on Friday evening, it announced that team manager Antony Lee will continue for another three months, to finish up his Olympics reports. He will then move to the Singapore National Olympic Council in November.

The association will also have two separate head coaches, one each for the women’s and men’s teams.

President of the Singapore Table Tennis Association, Lee Bee Wah, apologised for causing grievances and stress. With that, the dust has settled over a week—long saga that mired Singapore’s silver medal win at the Olympic Games.

Minister of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said the issue was caused by misunderstandings and ties have been mended.

He added that the local sports scene, especially the Singapore Table Tennis Association, has emerged stronger from the incident.

He said the strong public reactions such as those online, showed how sports play an important role in unifying Singaporeans and that the sports scene here has come of age.

Dr Balakrishnan said: “Can I promise there will never be a problem? I can’t make such promises. What is more important is the trust and discipline is in place in the team to overcome these problems, get on with the mission, do their best and hopefully their best is good enough to win medals for us.”

When asked for their reactions, the table tennis team members stood up in solidarity and said they were all very satisfied with the discussions and decisions.

Other officials also called for Singaporeans’ continued support, especially for the association’s president Lee Bee Wah.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Teo Ser Luck, said: “For Ms Lee to come in and carry on this work, she will need time. She is only a month—plus old.

“And I believe that she will need the time in order to know what’s happening and to gain that knowledge in order to run STTA and bring it to greater heights.”

Ng Ser Miang, vice—president, Singapore National Olympic Council, said: “Its time for the athletes to reflect on the values, become true Olympians and go back to our celebrations.”

The table tennis team will meet their fans on Saturday at a special autograph session in Ang Mo Kio. — CNA/vm

Source : Channel NewsAsia  - 31 Aug 2008

Singapore Property - Buy, Sell, Rent, Invest

Mindy Yong

(+65)91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com

Travel plans on hold as six more Phuket-bound flights cancelled

Travel plans on hold as six more Phuket-bound flights cancelled

By Kaixin Liang,

SINGAPORE: Six flights bound for Phuket from Singapore were cancelled on Saturday as the Thai airport remains closed after protesters stormed it on Friday.

And SilkAir said some 600 of its passengers remain stranded at the popular beach resort.

A day after anti-government protesters began camping out on the tarmac, Phuket airport authorities said more than 100 flights have been cancelled, including 25 on international routes, leaving 15,000 passengers stranded.

Thailand closed three airports at the beach resorts of Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai on Friday after protesters stormed the Phuket International Airport.

The airport protests came as thousands of activists laid siege to government offices in Bangkok, calling for Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to resign.

Rail travel in the country has also been disrupted.

In Singapore, some passengers are now unsure about their travel plans.

Sherine Perera, a Singaporean traveller, said: “Tonight I need to think about it and I will talk to my office colleagues….if they decide to go, I will go. Otherwise, I will not go. This trip (we’ll) just cancel it.”

Another Singaporean traveller, Tan Kai Earl, said: “We may want to cancel our trip, because we have kids, and if it’s dangerous or unstable, we won’t go now.”

Questions abound as foreign tourists realise their beach holiday is not going to turn out as planned.

Vijaykumar Agarwal, a tourist from Kolkatta, said: “They have only given us accommodation for one day and if the flight doesn’t take off tomorrow, then we are left on our own and we have to look for accommodation (and pay from) our own pocket.”

Tiger Airways, which flies once a day to Phuket, says it has offered its passengers flying from Singapore a choice of a full refund or a change in travel dates.

- CNA/ir

Source : Channel NewsAsia  - 31 Aug 2008

Singapore Property - Buy, Sell, Rent, Invest

Mindy Yong

(+65)91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com

S’pore’s paddlers celebrate Olympic medal win with fans

S’pore’s paddlers celebrate Olympic medal win with fans

By Patwant Singh,
 
 

SINGAPORE: With the recent controversy over management issues in the team put firmly behind them, it was celebration time in the heartlands for Singapore’s Beijing Olympic silver medallists.

A crowd, carrying placards, turned up at Ang Mo Kio’s FairPrice Xtra a good hour before the arrival of Singapore’s Olympian paddlers.

Some 100 fans were rewarded with an autographed poster.

Others behind the players were also given their due recognition by FairPrice who sponsored the celebrations.

Among them was team manager Antony Lee, who was moved by the accolade given by Ng Ser Miang, vice-president of the Singapore National Olympic Council.

Lee, who spent little time with his 5-month-old child in the preparations leading up to the Beijing Olympics, received a gift of milk powder from the supermarket chain.

Also honoured was Singapore’s first Olympic medallist, Tan Howe Liang, who won a silver in the 1960 Games. He was acknowledged as the inspiration for Singapore’s medal quest.

President of the Singapore Table Tennis Association Lee Bee Wah was given a pair of running shoes - a reflection of the the big shoes she has to fill in building on the team’s Olympics success.

Mr Ng said the recent controversy involving the table tennis team has been a blessing in disguise, because they can learn valuable lessons from this incident as they prepare for their next big challenge, the 2012 Olympic Games.

He said it gave the National Sports Associations “something to ponder on how we should really do team-building and resolve issues first.”

After the weekend celebrations, the paddlers will have to prepare for another competition - the Women’s World Cup starting in Kuala Lumpur next week.

- CNA/ir

 
Source : Channel NewsAsia  - 31 Aug 2008

Singapore Property - Buy, Sell, Rent, Invest

Mindy Yong

(+65)91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com

Ms Lee Bee Wah - I’m sorry, singapore

Ms Lee Bee Wah - I’m sorry, singapore 

By Lin Xinyi & Terrence Voon 
  
‘I sincerely apologise for causing any grievances, any stress.’ - Ms Lee Bee Wah, acknowledging that the episode spoilt the celebratory mood after Singapore won its first Olympic medal in 48 years
‘I can announce quite categorically that the crisis is over.’ - Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who said he spent the week in numerous meetings with all concerned to sort out the problem. — ST PHOTO: TERENCE TAN

‘I SINCERELY apologise.’
Ms Lee Bee Wah, the president of the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA), had those words for the country last night.

Her comments last weekend, that she would replace the Singapore table tennis team manager, unleashed a storm of criticism and calls for her resignation.

In a quavering voice, she said sorry for souring the country’s brightest sporting moment in almost half a century.

Facing a throng of close to 30 journalists at a press conference last night, she said: ‘It is regretful that this situation happened and turned out the way it did.

‘I had made comments which had been misunderstood and had upset some Singaporeans. I sincerely apologise for causing any grievances and any stress.’

She also said: ‘Our action has dampened the celebration mood of our fellow Singaporeans.’

With that, she brought to a close one chapter of an episode that sparked unhappiness from all quarters.

Since last weekend Ms Lee, an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, has been criticised by many for spoiling the party mood after the country’s first Olympic medal in 48 years.

Just five days after the women’s table tennis team took silver at the Beijing Games, she revealed that team manager Antony Lee’s services were no longer needed, and that national head coach Liu Guodong’s fate would be decided by a coaching committee.

She had been angry after Singapore No. 1 Gao Ning found himself with no coach for his third-round men’s singles match and crashed out to a much lower-ranked Croatian.

Ms Lee took over as table tennis chief barely two months ago, on July 4. Though many called for her to step down, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan made it clear last night that she will stay, but she needs some time to get results.

Last night’s press conference, held at the STTA’s headquarters in Toa Payoh, also made clear that head coach Liu is in talks with Ms Lee to negotiate a new contract.

But team manager Lee will leave the STTA. His secondment from the Singapore Sports Council to the association will be extended by three months beyond the end of this month. He will then join the Singapore National Olympic Council.

Dr Balakrishnan said: ‘He’s gained a lot of experience in dealing in international sports, and I want to leverage on that as we go on in our preparations for the Youth Olympics as well as London 2012.’

There was no question of Mr Lee being sacked, he said.

The minister began the press conference by saying: ‘Categorically, the crisis is over.’

He acknowledged more than once that the table tennis controversy had soured the celebratory mood of many Singaporeans rejoicing over the Olympic medal win.

‘There have been some mistakes made, there was a lack of communication, there were certainly some misunderstandings, there was some overreaction,’ he said.

He described the timing of Ms Lee’s comments as ill-conceived, and said he had received many reactions to them.

Flanked by a sombre-looking Ms Lee to his right, and by Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Community Development, Youth and Sports) Teo Ser Luck and chairman of Project 0812 Ng Ser Miang on the left, Dr Balakrishnan said: ‘Over the past four days, both Ser Luck and myself - we’ve met all the players, the coaches, all the key officials. I’ve had numerous meetings with the senior management and committee of the STTA.’

Also present were glum-faced silver medallists Li Jiawei, Wang Yuegu and Feng Tianwei, as well as the head coach, team manager, Gao Ning and other members of the men’s team. They were a sombre group, who said little when called upon to answer reporters’ questions.

Dr Balakrishnan praised them all for doing their best in Beijing. Looking ahead, he urged Singaporeans to trust in what the association was doing. He and Ms Lee said the table tennis team had a bright future - its immediate challenge is the Volkswagen Women’s World Cup in Kuala Lumpur starting next Saturday.

He said: ‘This is a team which I believe has great potential for the future.’

Added Ms Lee: ‘We assure Singaporeans we will work harder to achieve greater heights, and I hope for their support.’

The next step? Said Mr Ng, a Singapore International Olympic Committee executive board member: ‘Let’s go back to our celebration.’

To restart them, the table tennis team will be at Ang Mo Kio Hub this morning to greet well-wishers.

Source : Straits Times - 30 Aug 2008

Singapore Property - Buy, Sell, Rent, Invest

Mindy Yong

(+65)91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com