President S R Nathan,
Mr Koh Boon Hwee, Chairman, DBS Bank,
Mr Alex Chan, Chairman, Singapore Sports Council,
POSB Everyday Champions,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
A very good evening to all of you.
We are here to celebrate some of Singapore’s foremost sports advocates. This evening, we recognise 57 individuals, coaches and organisations, who have brought Sports nearer to the community at large.
2 Among our winners are a couple of soccer mums who have spurred the neighbourhood boys to channel their youthful zest into playing soccer. One of them is Carol Lim, who has become a familiar face to the residents of Pasir Ris. Carol set up the Elias Park Football Club 10 years ago, for her sons and the boys in the neighbouring blocks to engage in healthy sporting activities. In fact, she even managed to secure a football field which the club can proudly call their very own today. Enthused by Carol’s dedication to Elias Park FC, I have been told that the club today sees many parent volunteers helping out at weekly training sessions and competitions.
3 Over at Choa Chu Kang, we have another homemaker turned football team manager, Noryaton Sahdan. Three years ago, when she saw some boys playing soccer at her HDB void deck, Noryaton was inspired to set up the Putra Football Club. This became an avenue for the boys to further pursue their passion for the game and learn self-confidence, teamwork and respect.
4 The diversity of our winners shows that everyone can be involved in sports as a player, an organiser or a supporter. I am pleased to note that we have four Singaporean permanent residents as winners this year. They each have become an integral part of their local community here, through their active participation and contributions to our sporting scene.
5 Among them is Russian fencing coach Bobok Viacheslav. Fondly known as Slava to his students, he goes the extra mile in guiding his athletes to achieve their best sporting potential, and in looking after their welfare. From checking the temperature of training rooms to making hot tea to perk up his students who are under the weather, Slava sees to every little detail. He is a great example of how coaches can inspire their young charges and teach them the right sporting culture and values.
6 It is indeed heartening to see more schools taking on a proactive role towards cultivating a sporting culture amongst the young. I am glad to see that schools recognise the importance of both elite sports and well as sports for all students. Every student must have opportunities to participate in sports.
7 This year, five educational institutions join us in the line-up of winners: Republic Polytechnic, Institute of Technical Education, Canberra Secondary School, Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School and Sengkang Primary School.
8 I am also encouraged to see more corporations promoting a healthy lifestyle at the workplace. One example is Samsung Asia. Not only is Samsung Asia active in engaging its employees in sporting events, it has also reached out to engage the greater community through sports. Every year, Samsung Asia organises free inline skating clinics for the public at various community centres throughout Singapore. Another corporate winner is Huntsman Singapore; a chemical engineering firm dedicated to promoting a sporting culture within its organisation. Throughout the year, employees are immersed in a multitude of activities such as tennis, kickboxing, Hatha yoga and nature walks.
9 Of course, the Government must also play its part. For instance, at the Ministry of Home Affairs, staff organise a myriad of weekly sporting activities so as to achieve a healthy work-life balance. There is also a Sports Ambassadors Programme in place to incentivise staff to pick up new sporting activities.
10 I must also thank POSB for their sponsorship and support to the cause of encouraging a sporting nation.
11 Finally, my congratulations to the POSB Everyday Champions Award winners. I hope this award will spur you on to greater heights, and through your success, inspire more ordinary Singaporeans to become Sporting Champions. May you continue to be active sports promoters and ambassadors for a Sporting Singapore! Together, I am confident that Sports will continue to flourish in our community.
12 Thank you.
