It’s hard to book Joseph Lau's time. The 75-year-old is always jet-setting somewhere — and it’s not for a holiday. He is an international table tennis referee, who not only travels around the world to officiate at games, but also trains aspiring umpires in Singapore and regionally. “I'm going to Laos next week to conduct training for young umpires,” he tells us during the interview. During the interview, his daughter-in-law joked that Joseph is busier than she is.
A Lifelong Commitment to Table Tennis
Despite his packed schedule — he typically flies six to eight times a year for overseas assignments — he enjoys this retirement gig. The former police officer has been interested in table tennis since he was a child. He recalls playing the sport with a makeshift paddle during his kampung days because the actual equipment was too expensive. “We didn’t have proper equipment, but that didn’t stop us,” he says.
Joseph continued to play table tennis through his policeman days, even representing his team in the inter-forces games.
Around the age of 30, he decided to take his passion a step further and took up a course to become an umpire. “To be a national umpire, you must be knowledgeable in the technical aspects of the game. You must also complete 30 hours’ worth of lessons and pass both a theory and practical exam before you can officiate a game. After that, you need to be active for two years before you can qualify as an international umpire,” he explains. After years of hard work and dedication, Joseph finally reached his goal, achieving international umpire status at the age of 36.
Although he has reached the highest level of officiating, he shows no signs of slowing down. Instead, he is refereeing more international games than ever. When asked how many events he has been involved in, he said there were too many to give an exact number off the top of his head. He now divides his time between officiating as an international referee and training the new generation of umpires. “As long as I’m healthy, I want to keep sharing what I know and stay active.”
Community and Connection
Though Joseph has gained recognition over the years and remains passionate about table tennis, it's the relationships and sense of community within the sport that keep him involved. “It’s not just about competitions; it’s about sharing the joy of the game with others,” he says, highlighting how the sport has enriched his life and fostered connections that transcend age. Nowadays, he primarily plays recreational games at the community centre with peers his age, believing that table tennis is most enjoyable when played with someone of a similar calibre. This way, “there are more rallies” and the pace is balanced, unlike when facing younger, faster players
In addition to his table tennis community, his family's unwavering support has been instrumental in allowing him to pursue his passion. However, Joseph's deep involvement in the table tennis scene often means he doesn’t spend as much time with his family as he would like. Despite their steadfast support, he regrets not introducing his son to the sport, missing out on opportunities for father-son bonding. While they may not connect over a game of table tennis, the family finds other meaningful ways to bond. When Joseph isn’t travelling, he enjoys meals with his family and even offers to be their chauffeur, shuttling them to appointments to spend more quality time together. “We’re lucky to live near each other and meet regularly for meals. Those moments are priceless,” he shares.
Planning for the Future
During these family gatherings, his daughter-in-law often shared about Advance Care Planning (ACP) and Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). Understanding the importance of taking control of his future and easing the burden on his family when it comes to making difficult care decisions, Joseph promptly completed the ACP and LPA documentation. “The process was simple,” he recounted — just a few medical questions from the doctor and several discussions with his nominees, who needed to agree on the care arrangements if he could no longer make his own decisions.
Inspiring Active Ageing
Having gone through the ACP and LPA nomination process, Joseph feels a greater sense of peace and encourages other seniors to have open discussions with their children and not delay their planning. “Once you have done your planning, you’ll have peace of mind, and you’re also providing clear directions and instructions for your family to follow,” which in turn allows them to worry less. Convinced of the benefits of proper planning, both Joseph and his wife have begun sharing information about ACP and LPA with their family and friends, and have even encouraged a few to complete their own as well.
Looking to the future, Joseph hopes to inspire other seniors to pursue their dreams while preparing for what lies ahead. “Do what you love, stay active, and never stop giving back,” he advises, reminding us that seniors can lead fulfilling lives by embracing their interests and staying engaged. His story serves as a powerful reminder that every stage of life presents opportunities to forge meaningful connections and live with intention.
