Former national table tennis head coach Liu Guodong is apparently in no hurry to return here for Round 2 of talks with the Singapore Table Tennis Association.

Speaking from China yesterday, he addressed a report by Lianhe Wanbao which quoted sources as saying that he would be meeting STTA president Lee Bee Wah soon to resolve their dispute.

Said Liu: 'It's not that the report is false, but I haven't heard from Ms Lee since I left Singapore. Right now, I haven't considered what my plans are regarding the matter. The most important thing now is to do my job well as I feel pressure with the responsibilities I have.'

Over two weeks ago, Liu jetted in from China to seek an explanation from Ms Lee regarding her comments about his omission from this year's Singapore Sports Awards and that he was not worthy of the accolade.

Liu, who felt she had attacked his character, subsequently left after a fruitless five days spent in two talks with STTA officials. Ms Lee was not present both times.

Before his departure, a frustrated Liu said he planned to return as soon as possible to seek a clarification and an apology from Ms Lee, adding that he had not ruled out legal action.

But, yesterday, he stressed that his foremost commitment was to the Indonesian national team and the Chinese Super League.

He added that he intended to be forward looking and, as he has nothing more to do with the Singapore team, all related matters have to take second place to his 'current responsibilities'.

He said: 'People asked me why I returned to China so quickly. But I don't have so much free time to spend on the whole dispute.

'What has happened is all in the past and I don't want to fight with Ms Lee or say much more. Singaporeans can judge for themselves. There's nothing I can do.'

Read the full story in The Sunday Times today.