Female Table Tennis Star Banned
11/17/09

TRINIDAD and Tobago female table tennis star Rheann Chung has been censured by the disciplinary committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Table Tennis Association (TTTTA).

The action came yesterday after the France-based professional player was involved in a fracas at the Caribbean Championships being staged at UWI-Spec in St Augustine on Monday night.

The TTTTA described the incident as bringing the game into disrepute and caused major embarassement on behalf of the TTTTA.

Bob Roopnarine, secretary of the TTTTA confirmed yesterday that the Chung and a close female relative who also represented Trinidad and Tobago in the sport were found guilty by the disclipinary committee of using objectionable language.

In the melee on Monday night one of the administration tables was overturned when action continued on the penultimate night of the Caribbean Senior Table Tennis Championship.

The outburst, which was witnessed by officials and shocked table tennis fans came after the defeat of Chung’s stepfather, Dexter St Louis, who is also based in France.

Chung and her close relative were expected to explain the reason for their action at the disciplinary committee hearing yesterday.

Roopnarine confirmed yesterday that Chung has been banned from taking any further part in the regional championship. She won the mixed doubles with St Louis on Monday at the regional championships.

Chung was expected to be a top contender for the women’s singles championship which was staged yesterday.

According to Roopnarine, the duo will not be liable for any possible damages incurred in the fracas. And no report has been lodged with the Police concerning the incident.

Both Chung and St Louis have been carrying the hopes of hosts Trinidad and Tobago in the tournament so far.The pair captured the gold medal in the mixed doubles when they defeated Puerto Rico in the final.

In a media release yesterday the TTTTA apologised to competing Caribbean countries as well as members of the fraternity for the incident.

The officials said that their action to stop Chung from playing any further part in the championship is an indication that they will not condone such behaviour.

The full text of the media release authorised by Stanley Hunte, president of the local and regional organisation is:

“The Trinidad and Tobago Table Tennis Association (TTTTA) as hosts of the Caribbean Region and as Secretariat of the Caribbean Region Table Tennis Federation (CRTTF) wish to express sincere regret to the loyal members of the table tennis fraternity and to our friends from the member countries within the CRTTF for the manner in which a member of the audience and a reputable playing member of the association conducted themselves during the 47th staging of the senior table tennis championships.

“The behaviour demonstrated has only served to bring the sport of table tennis into disrepute. The TTTTA and CRTTF wish to make clear that it never has nor will it ever condone the behaviour demonstrated and has taken swift action to ensure that the public is not subjected to such disrespect in the future.

“Once again, the TTTTA and the CRTTF sincerely apologise to all those present and assures the public that it will do everything possible to ensure a safe and uneventful tournament in the future.”