TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association issued an apology on Tuesday after sparking controversy by unilaterally pulling rising player Yeh Yi-tien (葉伊恬) from the World Table Tennis Grand Smash tournament in Las Vegas.

In a joint statement with the education ministry and Sports Administration, CTTTA Secretary-General Yeh Kuo-chin (葉國欽) apologized for the misstep, which was made without consulting coach Chuang Chih-yuan, per CNA. All parties expressed hope that the apology would close the matter.

Deputy Education Minister Chang Liao Wan-chien (張廖萬), Sports Administration Director Cheng Shih-chung (鄭世忠), and CTTTA President Chao Chung-kuang (趙重光) met in Taipei to discuss the incident. The joint statement is as follows:

First, Yeh Kuo-chin apologizes for canceling Yeh’s entry to the WTT Grand Smash without reaching a consensus with coach Chuang Chih-yuan (莊智淵), due to time pressure and insufficient consideration before the registration deadline, per Liberty Times.

Second, the CTTTA will use this incident as a learning opportunity and align with the Sports Administration’s athlete-centered policy, committing to more thorough communication with players and coaches in all aspects of training and association affairs.

Third, the Sports Administration will work with the CTTTA to seek opportunities to host international table tennis tournaments in Taiwan, aiming to provide local athletes with broader international exposure.

Cheng noted that the apology had already been conveyed to coach Chuang, Yeh Yi-tien, and her mother, and was accepted by all three.