NATIONAL paddler Li Jiawei has just weeks to prepare for her April 25 wedding celebrations in Beijing, and until the end of 2010 to deliver a baby - or she has to wait until after the 2012 Olympics before trying again.

The 27-year-old recently expressed her desire to start a family with husband Li Chao, 36, and has received the blessings of Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) president Lee Bee Wah.

And in what is believed to be a first in Singapore sports, the national player and the STTA have agreed on the family-planning process - that the baby must come within 21 months.

The 2010 timeframe is to enable her to recover in time to mount a challenge at the London Games, explained Ms Lee.

In 2011, Jiawei would need to compete frequently on the International Table Tennis Federation Pro Tour circuit to ensure a high world ranking.

The world's top 20 men and women paddlers gained automatic qualification to the singles draw of last year's Beijing Olympics.

Athletes usuallytry to schedule parenthood so that their bundle of joy does not interfere with major competitions.

For instance, British marathon world champion Paula Radcliffe and her husband had planned her pregnancy around her running timetable. She gave birth to a daughter in 2007, and competed at last year's Olympics.

Jiawei told The Straits Times: 'I'd like to get pregnant as soon as possible. But it's up to fate. If it doesn't happen in time, I will still continue to play - that is my promise to the STTA.'

Whether or not motherhood beckons, the world No. 7 has her sights on a second consecutive Olympic medal and has national women's team deputy head coach Jing Junhong as her role model.

Jing was a mother when she reached the women's singles semi-finals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Should Jiawei get pregnant soon, she is likely to miss next year's Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. But with the likes of Feng Tianwei, Wang Yuegu, and Sun Beibei, ranked sixth, eighth and 27th in the world respectively, Ms Lee believes that the women's team has ample strength and depth to cope. The Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio GRC said: 'We want the other players to step up and make the most out of the opportunity when it is given to them.'

The team will already be without Jiawei for next week's German Open and the World Championships next month. She has been given time off to prepare for her wedding, which was originally scheduled for May or June.

Jiawei said it would be better to have it earlier, and confirmed that the change in dates was not an indication that she is already pregnant.

The Lis are expected to arrive at the celebrations in a Mercedes Benz jeep. Their convoy of 10 cars will include a 10m limousine and four Mercedes S600 cars.

Although Jiawei has not been honing her table tennis skills of late, the hundreds of invited guests might see her display a different talent - playing the piano. But it is clear what she is really working on: starting a family.

Asked if she felt pressured to have a baby soon, she said the onus should not be on her alone.

Jiawei added jokingly: 'Li Chao is always so busy. He works till late and sometimes he might be tired.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times.