SPEECH BY MR TAN SOO KHOON, SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT AND MP FOR EAST COAST GRC AT THE SWIFT ATHLETES ASSOCIATION 50TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER AND DANCE ON FRIDAY, 7 MARCH 1997, AT 8.00 PM AT NEPTUNE THEATRE RESTAURANT

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Mr Loh Lin Kok, President, Swift Athletes Association

Members of the Management Committee

Distinguished Guests

My wife and I are delighted to be here with you this evening to celebrate your 50th Anniversary. For our nation with such a short history, 50 years is a considerable length of time. The growth and development of your Association is almost synonymous with the development of athletics in this country. Coming here this evening brings back fond memories of my student days when I was a Swift member and was enthusiastically involved in some of the Association's activities and functions. I enjoyed attending the athletic meets then. It is therefore a special honour to be here tonight to meet some old friends whom I have not seen for a long time, and also to get to know some of the athletes of yesteryears some of whom I have only seen from a distance while watching them compete in record-breaking performances. I must also add that I am looking forward to meeting the young talents of today, many of whom I know are working hard to bring glory not only to Swift, but also to Singapore.

I must confess to not having been a good sportsman all my life but like many Singaporeans I enjoy watching sports, including athletics. Like many Singaporeans too, I enjoy a good run and do it as often as I can, if not for anything, at least for the opportunity of going outdoors, getting some fresh air and exercise, and most important of all, trying to stay fit.

Much has been said of our need as a nation to stay ahead and compete successfully. For that we need a skilled work force, well equipped with knowledge, skills and technology to allow us to remain at the top. In short, we need brain power to stay ahead. But what is equally important is a population that is physically fit. I am one of those who believe that if an individual is to develop to his fullest potential he must have a good mind and a healthy body. Our investments in education, in ensuring that we have a top-notch work force would not yield the maximum return if our people are not healthy. That is why we have Sports for Life, and actively encourage everyone to participate regularly in at least one sporting activity. And if in the process we can produce good sportsmen and sportswomen of championship material, then it is a bonus to us.

Under the able leadership of your President and members of the Management Committee, the Swift Athletes Association has, over the years, created an enviable niche in the local athletics community. Of the 6 athletes who have received the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Award from the Singapore National Olympics Council in the past, 5 are members of Swift. Much success has been made in nurturing young athletes, coach development and supervision of elite athletes. But there is still much to be done as competition in the coming years will be keener even in this region as our neighbours step up their development and management of sports. I therefore urge Swift to continue to support and complement your parent body, the Singapore Amateur Athletic Association, in ensuring the continued development and success in athletics at regional and international meets.

I understand that many of you who are serving in the current Management Committee are ex-national athletes, I am talking about individuals like Mr Sarvindar Singh, Mr Gawade and Ms K Jayamani. I remember you doing the nation proud by winning medals at earlier South East Asian Games. I am happy that others like Mrs Valerie Jeyabal, Mr P Pathmanathan and Mr Fok Keng Choy are now coaches, helping in the development of young athletes. This healthy cycle of your ex-athletes contributing back to the Club is an encouraging sign. It goes to show that there exists a sense of belonging, loyalty and camaraderie in Swift. There is also nothing like the experience that these ex-champions can pass to the promising youngsters, experience which can be helpful to the continual development and success of the sport.

Swift athletes are also a force to be reckoned with. I know for a fact that the bulk of the national squad preparing for the coming SEA Games are athletes from Swift. You have within your ranks, young athletes like Nurulaini Ariffin and Jairajkumar Jeyabal, who, I am told, recently broke the national record for the 10,000m walk at the age of 17. These athletes should be properly nurtured and continue to receive the necessary support so that they can become top-notch athletes who will inspire others to strive hard to excel and to become familiar household names like James Wong and Wong Yew Tong. I am confident that many of you will make the grade. For those who do not succeed this time, I would like to offer my humble advice. Do not be discouraged; the training helps you to stay healthy and fit and you should try harder the next time.

In your own respective ways, all of you have contributed to the high standards now existing in your Club. You have set a fine example for others to emulate. Please continue to work hard in helping to promote athletics in Singapore.

Once again, I thank your President, Mr Loh Lin Lok, for giving me the opportunity to be with all of you this evening and extend to all of you my heartiest congratulations for your 50 years of success and achievements. May the next 50 years see Swift go "Faster, Higher and Further".

Thank you.