Coach And Student-Athletes Rally Together On And Off The Table

Student and Staff feature: Coach Sun Bei Bei, Loy Ming Ying and Chloe Lai


When Coach Sun Bei Bei retired from competitive table tennis in 2013, she knew her journey with the sport was far from over. For her, table tennis wasn’t just a game, it was a lifelong passion, a calling that would soon take on a new meaning.

In 2014, she joined the Singapore Table Tennis Association as a coach and was seconded to the Singapore Sports School, where she spent the next decade shaping young lives.

This arrangement was a result of a close partnership between the school and the National Sports Association to provide a comprehensive training programme, high-quality coaching, developmental opportunities and athlete-friendly support for student-athletes who aspire to represent Singapore on the international stage, such as the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and SEA Games.

Over the years, Coach Sun has guided countless student-athletes at Sports School, helping them discover their strengths, overcome their fears, and step proudly onto the international stage. Among them are rising stars Loy Ming Ying and Chloe Lai, both of whom will soon make their SEA Games debut in Thailand this year, a milestone that fills their coach with deep pride and affection.

“Ming Ying is always a cheerful, fearless kid,” she recalled fondly. “No matter how strong her opponent, she never backed down. Chloe has been with me even longer. I have seen her grow from a quiet, shy girl into a confident, mature player,” shared Coach Sun, who has also mentored Koen Pang, Zhang Wanling, Pearlyn Koh, Wong Xin Ru, Goi Rui Xuan, and Olympian Zhou Jingyi.

Her pride extends beyond medals and rankings. She said: “Seeing how they bounce back stronger after every setback and how their efforts have brought them to the world stage truly make me proud of them. I hope they continue to shine, stay grounded, and bring glory to the nation.”

Under Coach Sun’s guidance, both Ming Ying and Chloe exceeded their own expectations on the international stage, earning medals at the Southeast Asian Junior Table Tennis Championship and the WTT Contender series. They also played a key role in Singapore’s triumphant return at the 28th ATTU–ITTF Asian Table Tennis Team Championships, ending a four-year medal drought with a hard-fought bronze. However, for both Ming Ying and Chloe, Coach Sun has been more than a coach. She’s been a mentor, motivator, and role model since their first day in school at Secondary 1.

Secondary 3 student-athlete Loy Ming Ying, who joined the intermediate squad alongside Chloe in 2024, shared, “Coach Sun always tells me to give my best, no matter how strong my opponent is, and to never give up. She’s guided me through countless matches and overseas competitions, even when it meant being away from her family. I am really grateful to her for shaping me, not only as an athlete but also as a person.”

For Chloe Lai, a Diploma in Business Studies Year 2 student-athlete, the bond runs just as deep.

“She is a role model for me. All the advice she gives is based on her past experiences as a national player. For example, she taught me how to prepare myself mentally for a tournament the night before and the day itself. This advice is crucial for aspiring athletes like us. During the match, she is always trying to help me improve and plays a supportive role, especially when I am nervous or not playing so well. Even though she may be anxious or angry, she tries her best not to display it when I am on court and keeps on encouraging me which really helps me calm down. After a match, no matter the result, she will always comfort and praise me and analyse the game with me to see where I can improve,” shared Chloe.

Coach Sun’s care extends beyond the court. “I used to think she was strict and scary, but after training with her, I realised that although she may be strict with us during training, she is patient, caring and understanding. She is also a fun person to be with, someone who we can share almost anything with and someone who will give good advice whether in sport or in life,” said Chloe.

She also understands the balancing act her student-athletes face between academics and sport. Chloe added: “When we have major exams, she is supportive of us taking short breaks from training to fully focus on our exams. That kind of support means a lot. She really wants the best for us, both in sports and in studies.”

As her protégés prepare to take their next big step at the SEA Games, Coach Sun’s advice is filled with wisdom and heart. She said: “The SEA Games will be an incredible experience. Of course, we all hope for medals, but more importantly, I want them to enjoy the journey, embrace the challenge, stay positive, and fight with all their heart. Every match is a lesson, and every experience is a step forward.”