Lai Weng Kay prepares to serve in his Men’s Doubles Masters match against Radin Mas. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Buona Vista Community Club, Tuesday, July 3, 2012 — “I am small sized, so swimming, no future,” said Mr Lai Weng Kay with a smile.
Mr Lai, at 79 years of age, was playing doubles for Tiong Bahru Team B in their 3-1 win over Radin Mas CC in the Community Games table tennis tournament. The win gave them third place in the Tanjong Pagar Cluster.
Mr Lai teamed up with Mak Wee Kiong but the pair went down 0-3 (3-11, 5-11, 3-11) to the Radin Mas pair of Yip Chee Kong and Lee Kum Thong in the men’s doubles masters match.
“I learnt it (table tennis) at 40. I was swimming before. I play three times a week, two hours each. I used to play at SAGE, at Tiong Bahru CC.
“I play with all sorts of people, whether beginner or expert. Just happy to play with somebody,” said Mr Lai, who is single and lives alone at Block 26B, Jalan Membina.
“I worked at Standard Chartered Bank for 31 years and retired at 55,” recalled Mr Lai, who was born on June 14th, 1933.
What has been the highlight of playing table tennis all these years?
“Going to the World Veterans Table Tennis Championships for seven times from 1994 to 2004,” said Mr Lai, a trip he financed himself. The furthest he went at those championships was the second round.
As proof that he was still sharp at the age of 79, he added: “I still drive. I drive a Toyota MRS sports car!”
Weng Kay’s doubles partner Mak Wee Kiong sends his return into the net. (Photo 2 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
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