That was the pay deal to the man who helped deliver Singapore's first Olympic medal in 48 years.

National table tennis coach Liu Guodong on Thursday revealed this detail of the two-year deal offered to him by the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA).

Liu, whose contract expires at the end of the year, has rejected the deal, dismissing it as insulting and insincere'.

According to Lianhe Wanbao on Thursday, Liu was upset by criticism from Netizens who have blasted him for being greedy and declining a monthly salary offer of $8,000. He decided to go public to set the record right.

He told the Chinese evening that his is paid $4,500 now. While there has been a 40 per cent increase in his salary, he said has not been offered $8,000 as speculated by some media.

He added that his remuneration package does not include housing and meals, and that he has to pay a monthly rent of $300 for his room at the STTA.

Liu could not be reached for comments on Thursday.

Last week, Singapore Table Tennis Association chief executive Chew Soo Sheng said the terms of Liu Guodong's new contract "were fair and incorporated a substantial salary increase".

But according to a source in the table tennis fraternity, Liu's salary offer does not match up to coaches in countries that excel in table tennis.

'In China, where table tennis is the national sport, national coaches can expect to earn over US$10,000 (S$15,000) each month - inclusive of rewards and bonuses,' said the source. 'Even coaches of provisional teams can earn about US$6,000 (S$9,000) per month.'