KARACHI: As Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) is commemorating 40th anniversary of Chinese coach Yao Zhen Xu visit that brought revolution in the game, another expert from the same country is due to arrive soon to take up his assignment.

This time it is Chen Huachang who is set to arrive in Islamabad in the next few days, initially on a one-year contract, which is extendable, an official document reveals.

Confirming the news, the PTTF President S. M. Sibtain told Dawn on Tuesday that the Chinese coach is coming at the invitation of the Ministry of Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC) and the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).

According to details, the services of Chinese coach have been hired by the PSB at a monthly emolument of US$2,000.

The foreign coach will also be entitled free boarding, lodging, medical, transport, economy class return air ticket and one month paid leave during his one year stay in Pakistan.

It is pertinent to mention that Yao’s three-year coaching stint in Pakistan from 1975 to 1977 took Pakistan to new heights which is evident from their best-ever sixth position in the men’s singles in Asia besides winning a number of other laurels.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2017