Recognising the exceptional achievements of Team Singapore athletes in 2016

Sumiko Tan

Executive Editor, The Straits Times

Jennifer See

General Manager, F&N Foods               

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen    

1. A very good afternoon to all. I am so delighted to be here at the Straits Times Athlete of the Year 2016 Award.

Sports excellence contributes to national pride and confidence

2. Let me begin by extending my heartiest congratulations to all 2016 nominees: Peter Gilchrist, New Hui Fen, Joseph Schooling, Sheik Farhan and Yip Pin Xiu. All of you achieved exceptional performances in your respective sports last year, and have done Singapore proud.

3. 2016 was an extraordinary year for sports in Singapore. We witnessed the power of sport in inspiring and rallying the entire nation.  Singaporeans from all walks of life came together to cheer on our Team Singapore athletes and celebrated our nation's sporting achievements with immense pride. This is why we are committed to supporting our Team Singapore athletes in their pursuit for excellence. I know that you will continue to inspire us by building on your outstanding achievements, to scale even greater heights.

Enhancing support for high performance sports

4. Through our Sports Excellence (spex) programme, the Government provides our aspiring athletes with sports science, training and financial support, as well as facilitates their career and academic development. I am glad to see the programme nurture a new generation of Team Singapore athletes in recent years, with our remarkable results at the recent SEA Games, ASEAN Para Games, the Olympic and Paralympic Games last year.

5. We must build on this momentum, and the Government is committed to enhancing the support for our elite athletes. However, we cannot do this alone and I'd just like to commend Straits Times Sports editor, Yulin, for such a wonderful speech about how we need an entire kampong, or an entire villlage to support our athletes.  We will need to forge stronger partnerships with all our stakeholders in the sports excellence ecosystem, including partners from the National Sports Associations, the media play an extremely important role and corporate sponsors, some of who are here today. It is only by working hand in hand, that we can best support our athletes as they work towards achieving even more breakthroughs in the global sports arena.

Athletes can play a role in engaging the community

6. To all our Team Singapore athletes, we will do our part in giving you the best support possible. That said, I hope you will likewise do your part, in and out of the sporting arena.  Keep in mind that you are a role model for others, and you have an important role in giving back to the community. Get people connected with Team Singapore through social media.  Inspire your juniors by visiting the school, visiting the alma mater. Encourage others to live better through sport. Connect with fellow Singaporeans so that we can continue to stand united and proud as One Team Singapore, when you fly the Singapore flag high.

Concluding remarks

7. I would like to conclude by expressing my heartfelt appreciation to the Straits Times and its sponsors for recognising the achievements of our Team Singapore athletes every year. I'd also like to add in a word to all the family members who have supported the athletes along the journey, a long journey I must say. Thank you to Straits Times for sharing your extremely important stories with your readers and thank you to all the media for playing this important part of showcasing the feat and triumph, and the challenges that our athletes go through. I hope all of you will inspire not just the next generation of aspiring athletes, but also all young Singaporeans to passionately pursue their dreams. 

8. I came across this quote by Heavyweight Boxing Champion Jack Dempsey, “A champion is someone who gets up when he can't.” All the nominees today are champions, who have fought hard, even when the odds were against them. Once again, I'll like to join in the chorus of congratulations to all of you for your wonderful achievement.

9. Thank you very much.