SINGAPORE - The Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) has launched a series of financial assistance schemes to aid in the development of talented paddlers from needy families with a household per capita income of less than $800 per month.

The STTA Overseas Competition & Training (OTC) Subsidy and the STTA Youth Development Bursary are targeted at Singaporean athletes from the STTA Junior Development Squad, Youth Training Squad, School within Squad or Intermediate Squad.

"The driving force behind the STTA OTC Subsidy and the STTA Youth Development Bursary is the desire to ensure that talented young athletes from needy families, who are committed to chasing their sporting dreams are not hampered because of financial considerations," said STTA president Ellen Lee on June 29.

"We understand that there are talented young athletes wanting to pursue table tennis but may find it difficult paying for the STTA training fees and the overseas table tennis training or competitions. Therefore, by providing the STTA OTC Subsidy and the STTA Youth Development Bursary, we hope to leave no stones unturned and groom these talented young athletes into champions of tomorrow."

The STTA OTC Subsidy will provide young athletes with up to $5000 a calendar year to take part in overseas table tennis training or competitions, while the Youth Development Bursary will allow athletes to receive up to $200 per month for up to a calendar year to offset costs incurred in terms of fees for the association's monthly training programmes.