Taipei - Taiwan's pool champion Wu Chia-ching was granted residence in Singapore Monday, paving the way for his playing for Singapore, but Taipei said they would still welcome him back.

"If he changes his mind, we welcome him back and will restore his qualification to represent Taiwan," Tu Yung-hui, secretary-general of the Taiwan Billiard Association, told German Press Agency dpa.

"But he must openly declare his allegiance to Taiwan because changing citizenship is a serious matter," he said.

Taiwan stripped Wu of his qualification on March 5, after Wu's talks on a pay rise collapsed and he told Taiwan newspapers that he wanted to change citizenship and play for Singapore.

He has been living in Singapore since then and working as a training partner for Singapore's team.

On Monday, Wu received the Blue Card, or residence permit, which allows him to work in Singapore. It paves the way for his receiving Singapore's citizenship.

Singapore offered Wu 130,000 US dollars per year and other benefits, and hopes can he play for them as soon as possible. But Taiwan said Wu cannot play for Singapore for three years after changing his citizenship.

In an interview with Taiwan cable TV channel ETTV, 20, Wu said he is confused because now he can play neither for Taiwan nor Singapore.

"Although I got the Blue Card today, I am still struggling regarding if I should get Singapore's citizenship. But since Taiwan has blocked me from playing, leaving Taiwan is only a matter of time," he said.

"My getting residence in Singapore does not mean I want to remain in Singapore. My future is still uncertain because I have not signed any contracts," he told ETTV in an interview from Singapore.

Taiwan Billiard Association said Wu cannot play for Singapore for three years after he has become a Singapore citizen.

"According to the International Olympic Committee's rules, a player has to wait for three years before he or she can represent the adopted country in international games," the association's secretary-general Tu Yung-hui said.

The nearest game Wu will miss is the Philippine Open held May 26-31 in Manila.

"We have already chosen two players to attend the Philippine Open, which will attract 64 players from all over the world," Tu said.

Wu began to play pool at the age of 10. In 2005, he won the WPA Men's World Nine-Ball Championship and the WPA Men's Eight-Ball Championship, becoming at 16 the youngest player to win the title.

He won the 2007 All Japan Championship and came second in the 2008 World Ten-Ball Championship. He currently ranks 7th in WPA men9s world rankings (dpa)