Squash Ball 2022

Mr Patrick Thio

President, Singapore Squash Rackets Association (SSRA)

Members of the SSRA

Distinguished guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

1. Good evening. 

2. It is my pleasure to join you on this special occasion to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Singapore Squash Rackets Association (SSRA). I am delivering this speech tonight on behalf of Minister Edwin Tong. He wanted to meet you in person - but unfortunately, his return from overseas has been delayed. He has asked me to send his apologies, heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all of you.

3. Tonight, we celebrate and honour the achievements of Singapore squash, past and present, and 

   1. recognise the contributions and support from donors, sponsors and the community towards the sport.

Celebrating the achievements of SSRA and Singapore squash

4. The SSRA has come a long way since its beginnings in 1970. Some years ago, we witnessed

   1. Singapore’s historic rise to 6th place in the World Championships in Cairo, Egypt in 1985,

   2. Mah Li Lian winning the first of four consecutive Asian titles at the 4th Asian Squash Championships in Kuwait in 1988, and 

   3. Team Singapore sweeping all 4 gold medals on offer at the inaugural squash event at the 1991 SEA Games. 

5. Today, the SSRA continues to nurture our athletes to make their mark internationally. 

6. In the last five years, our national squash athletes have done us proud. Notable achievements include

   1. Singapore’s first men’s team squash gold in 22 years at the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur,

   2. winning two gold, four silver and eight bronze medals  at the 2017 and 2019 SEA Games, and

   3. our long-awaited debut at the WSF World Doubles Squash Championships in Scotland this year.

7. But beyond these achievements, what really makes Singaporeans proud of our athletes are their incredible determination and resilience. 

8. At this juncture, please allow me to congratulate this evening’s recipient of the SSRA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Singapore squash legend, Zainal Abidin.

   1. Named Sportsman of the Year in 1987, Zainal has made significant contributions towards the advancement of squash in Singapore.

      1. From 1980 to 1989, Zainal was one of the world’s top players. He won the East Asian Squash Championship title nine times and was a three-time Japan Open champion. 

      2. A winner of multiple SEA Games medals, his career peaked in 1986 when he led Singapore to 6th place in the World Championships in Cairo, Egypt.

      3. At 65, Zainal is dedicated to developing the next generation of squash champions as our National Coach. 

9. Today, we see many promising young athletes in the pipeline. I am sure they will continue to be inspired by the passion, resilience, and sportsmanship that Zainal symbolises.

10. Let me also offer my warmest congratulations to all the recipients of tonight’s Sports Awards . I am sure this recognition will motivate you to strive towards greater achievements in years to come.

11. At MCCY, we remain committed to helping our aspiring athletes realise their full potential. 

    1. Take for example, our national squash champion, Au Yeong Wai Yhann, who clinched three medals at the 2019 SEA Games.

    2. To pursue her sporting dream, Wai Yhann enrolled in the Singapore Sports School’s post-secondary school pathway at the age of 18. 

    3. Since 2019, she has been under the support of our spexScholarship, an enhanced level of financial and programmatic support for high-performing athletes to excel Major Games at Asian and World levels. 

    4. Most recently, Wai Yhann, together with rising junior squash athletes, Ong Zhe Sim  and Ong Zhe Hon, was awarded the Singapore Olympic Foundation – Peter Lim Scholarship in recognition of her outstanding sporting achievements and potential. 

12. However, we recognise that we cannot do this alone. 

    1. It requires the combined efforts and synergies from many partners in the sports ecosystem including our National Sports Associations, schools, coaches, sport specialists, sponsors, donors, and many others, so that Team Singapore can do even better.

13. 2022 continues to be an exciting year for the SSRA, enriching our sporting calendar with local and international events. 

    1. Most notably, Singapore will be hosting the prestigious Professional Squash Association World Tour Event for the first time in November. This annual tournament brings the world’s top players to compete on our shores. 

14. It is an opportune time to promote squash to the local community, and I am sure more Singaporeans will be interested to take up squash either as a recreational or competitive activity.

Sport as a force for good

15. As we raise our ambitions in sports, we want to make sure our society is a caring and an inclusive one,

    1. where Singaporeans from all walks of life have the opportunity to participate, and

    2. to bring positive change to our community.

16. I am heartened to learn that the SSRA is championing programmes and initiatives to make squash more inclusive and accessible for all.

    1. For instance, it piloted a fundraising initiative “Let’s Beat the Blues” with the Caregivers Alliance Limited to support families and caregivers of persons with mental health issues.

17. This example demonstrates the important role of our NSAs in using sport as a force for good.

18. For our part, the Government will continue to work with all partners to build a more caring and inclusive Singapore.

    1. SportSG has launched the Para Sport Academy in March this year to create more opportunities for Persons with Disabilities to pursue their sporting ambitions competitively.

    2. SportCares will also partner MSF’s ComLink to offer programmes to vulnerable youths and roll out a mentoring programme for youths from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Appreciating the support of donors and sponsors amid unprecedented times

19. Tonight, I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to donors and sponsors for your generous support to Singapore squash.

    1. The past two years have not been easy. Yet, you have helped the SSRA raise phenomenal funds under the One Team Singapore Fund (OTSF) between FY19 and FY21.

    2. To all donors and sponsors, thank you for supporting our athletes’ sporting journeys, including their participation in major tournaments this year such as the WSF World Doubles Squash Championships, Qatar Junior Open, and the Dutch Junior Open; and 

    3. enabled the SSRA to continue providing inclusive sport programmes and activities for all ages and abilities.  

20. To support this effort, MCCY is extending the $50 million of OTSF Matching Grant for another five years until FY26 and to cover more areas of high performance sport support.

21. We look forward to your continued support for our Team Singapore athletes through this fund.

Conclusion

22. All of you here tonight, have contributed to Singapore squash, and our growth as a sporting nation.

23. Thank you for believing in the value and positive impact that sport can have on Singapore.

24. Once again, I congratulate SSRA President Patrick Thio and his team, as well as past Presidents and teams, on this 52nd anniversary of the SSRA. I wish you the very best as you continue your journey to promote and advance Singapore squash.

25. Thank you.