Lee Bee Wah, the president of the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA), has publicly disagreed with the published comments of Dr Tan Eng Liang, the chef de mission (CDM) of Singapore’s contingent for the upcoming SEA Games in Indonesia.

Dr Tan said in a New Paper interview that the STTA president had interfered with his role as CDM at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“Frankly, the CDM is the leader of the Singapore contingent and NSA presidents have no stature (at the Games) …. In 2008, I am sorry to say the NSA president interfered in the case of table tennis. I had called the press and explained why Gao Ning did not have a coach. If anybody was unhappy, he or she should have attacked us and questioned me as the CDM,” Dr Tan was quoted as saying in an interview published in The New Paper (Wednesday, November 2, 2011). The newspaper had asked him what lessons he had learnt as CDM at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“Instead, they told the press what they wanted to do and, frankly, you should do all those things when you come back. That is your prerogative, but not at the Games where we got a silver and everyone was happy. It is my view, that was just unnecessary interference.

“At the Games, the CDM and the team officials are responsible. I wished that NSA officials know their station and responsibilities,” he added.

In reply, Ms Lee issued a statement on her Facebook page.

“It is rather sad that the Chef De Mission for the Singapore contingent to the SEA Games 2011 Dr Tan Eng Liang has decided to bring up an issue which transpired in 2008 at this stage of the nation’s preparations for a major event like the Sea Games.

“Instead of rallying everyone behind our athletes, Singapore’s CDM has chosen instead to raise issues which will divide Singaporeans, and which will undoubtedly open up old wounds.

“It is almost farcical for Dr Tan to suggest that the NSA presidents have no stature at the games. Is he then suggesting that all NSA presidents remain silent throughout and not step in to solve problems or issues which may arise?” wrote Ms Lee.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, paddler Gao Ning was left without a coach by his side and he lost his match. Ms Lee, then a one-month old president of the STTA, was upset at what happened and relieved the team manager and the coach of their jobs publicly while the contingent was still in Beijing. There was a negative public reaction and Ms Lee later apologised.

The chef de mission is appointed by the Singapore National Olympic Committee (SNOC). In a fact sheet issued by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the role of the CDM is outlined as follows:

“During the Games, each NOC must appoint a chef de mission, who is the NOC’s main liaison with the IOC, the IFs (International Federations) and the OCOG (Organising Committee for the Olympic Games). The chef de mission may also accomplish other functions assigned to him/her by the NOC. The chef de mission has the responsibility for all the competitors, officials and other NOC team staff.”

For all the major games — SEA Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, Olympics — the national sports associations (NSAs) nominate athletes for selection but it is only the SNOC that gives the final approval for their participation.

While not questioning the role of the CDM, Ms Lee also wrote: “While the CDM may be responsible for the contingent during the major Games, it is important to note that it is the NSAs which will face the long term impact if there is anything which happens during such games.”