Ex-swimmer Mark Chay set to become new SNOC secretary-general

As Mark Chay celebrates his 43rd birthday on Feb 18, the former national swimmer will look forward to a new challenge. The Straits Times understands that he will be taking over from veteran administrator Chris Chan as secretary-general of the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) on April 1.

Chan, 74 - who was a former commando officer and CEO of the S-League, now known as the Singapore Premier League - has held the post since 2002.

Chay, who will step down as SNOC vice-president, previously competed for Singapore at the Olympic, Commonwealth, Asian and SEA Games.

He is also an experienced sports administrator. He was Singapore Aquatics (SAQ) president until his two-year term ended in August 2024, when he stepped aside to spend more time with his family as he undergoes treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia, a cancer of the white blood cells.

In recent times, he was the chairman of the SNOC's athletes' commission, a member of the Olympic Council of Asia's (OCA) athlete committee, and his World Aquatics bureau membership will end after the 2025 world championships in Singapore.

He was also coach of Paralympic swimming champion Yip Pin Xiu, and a former Nominated Member of Parliament.

Chay is believed to be serving notice as chief development officer at Global Esports Federation, and retains his role as co-chairperson of the World Aquatics Championships' Singapore 2025 organising committee.

In a previous interview with ST, he said that he would like to continue contributing to the sports fraternity once his condition stabilises.

It is understood that the SNOC had engaged a consultancy firm to look for suitable candidates before deciding on Chay.

The SNOC's secretary-general plays a key role in ensuring the organisation operates in alignment with its constitution, the Olympic Charter, and regulations from bodies such as the International Olympic Committee and the OCA.

Reporting to the SNOC executive committee, general assembly and president Grace Fu, he oversees governance, administration and strategy. That includes preparing teams for major Games, organising events like the Singapore Sports Awards, maintaining relationships with the national sports associations and representing the Republic internationally.

The officer-holder is also responsible for fostering collaboration, upholding ethical standards and ensuring the effective use of resources to further Singapore's sporting excellence.

SAQ president Kenneth Goh is heartened by Chay's willingness to serve and contribute to Singapore sports.

He said: "Even after stepping down as president of SAQ, Mark has remained actively involved as a co-chair of the World Aquatics Championships and as an adviser to SAQ, and also in supporting coaching workshops. His dedication to the sporting community is truly commendable.

"His deep familiarity with SNOC will provide stability and continuity, while his diverse experience as both an athlete and an administrator brings valuable perspectives to further develop Singapore's sporting ecosystem."

Singapore Bowling president Valerie Teo thanked Chan for his "exceptional leadership and unwavering support", adding that she is looking forward to working closely with Chay.

During Chan's tenure, Singapore hosted the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Team Singapore ended a 48-year medal drought with a table tennis women's team silver, and followed up with two table tennis bronzes at London 2012.

Then came the crowning moment in 2016, when swimmer Joseph Schooling won Singapore's first Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro, before kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder's bronze at Paris 2024.

Calling Chay a "passionate and committed advocate for sports in Singapore", Teo added that the leadership renewal with young blood is a "fantastic step forward for the nation's sports community".

She added: "It's inspiring to witness such a positive transition of leadership, and we wish Mark all the very best as he leads SNOC into this new chapter."