Alice seeks wonderland at home SEA Games

KUALA LUMPUR: A breakthrough performance at the Thailand SEA Games last year has whetted table tennis player Alice Chang’s (pic) appetite for more when Malaysia hosts the Games next year.

Alice, who claimed bronze in Bangkok, admitted she was shattered to fall short of reaching the final but said her run to the semi-finals was nevertheless an eye-opening experience.

The 25-year-old is optimistic she can be one of the contenders next year.

“It is really tough to be on the podium in singles at the SEA Games.

“I was very sad after losing in the semi-finals as I knew that the Table Tennis Association of Malaysia (TTAM) really wanted us to win gold,” said Alice, who is from Sarawak.

“But overall I felt it was a good outing as I was able to beat Thailand’s Suthasini Sawettabut in the group stage. She went on to win the gold, so that gave me a lot of confidence.

On the next Games, she said: “Perhaps even winning the gold is possible. I will definitely fight for it with everything I have.

“We (Malaysia) have not won a SEA Games gold in table tennis for a very long time, so who wouldn’t want to win on home ground.’’

Alice also helped Malaysia win bronze in the women’s team event at the Thailand SEA Games, together with teammates Karen Lyne, Im Li Ying, Tee Ai Xin and Ho Ying.

The paddlers last won gold at the 1991 Manila edition when Phua Bee Sim and Chong Choi Thing won the women’s doubles.