Beh Lee Wei will be tackling multiple roles in Myanmar SEA Games table tennis next month.
KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran paddler Beh Lee Wei will be tackling multiple roles in next month’s Myanmar SEA Games.
The 30-year-old Lee Wei, who has a 20-month-old daughter, will not only feature for the last time in the biennial Games but is also the acting chief coach.
The Gong Chempedak-born Lee Wei, who will be featuring in her eighth SEA Games, acknowledged that she has a heavy responsibility to shoulder in Myanmar.
“Not only will I be playing in the singles and team events, I’ll also be handling the men’s and women’s teams at the Games,” said Lee Wei, who did not feature in the 2011 Palembang SEA Games after giving birth to her daughter that year.
“It will be mentally tough to manage the players and play at the Games.
“I don’t know how I’m going to cope with it ... I don’t have much experience in coaching.”
The 13-time national singles champion is currently in Hebei, China, with the men’s and women’s paddlers for three weeks of centralised training in preparation for the Games.
The Table Tennis Association of Malaysia (TTAM) have set the paddlers a two-bronze target at the Games.
Lee Wei, who has won seven bronze medals in the last seven SEA Games, believes it will be difficult for her to win a medal in the individual event.
“I was out of action for the whole of last year and only made a comeback this year. My ranking has dropped and I won’t get a good seeding and draw in the individual event,” said Lee Wei.
“Singapore will be represented by China-born players and if I were to face one of them in the early rounds, it could be the end of the road for me.
“It’s not going to be easy winning the women’s team bronze either, especially in the absence of national number two Ng Sock Khim, who suffered a knee injury.
“I have been representing Malaysia in international competitions for the past 15 years and the time has come for me to focus on my family and allow others to feature in tournaments.
“I plan to retire after the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July next year.
“I also miss my daughter (Choo Ke Ying), who needs my attention and love.
“I’ve been busy with my training and competitions and have had to leave her under the care of my mother in Kedah.
“It’s not easy for me – be it as a mother, a player or a chief coach – to play well and win medals in the Games,” said Lee Wei, who will return from China on Sunday to be with her family.
On her retirement plans, Lee Wei said she plans to help her husband Choo Sim Guan in his business – selling the Donic brand table tennis equipment.
“It’s a good business. I also hope to do some coaching as I have vast experience as a player,” she said.
But all that can wait. For now, there is the small matter of the SEA Games to take care of.
Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.
