Lawyer Pereira looking to replace Tang
Lawyer set to unveil full team this week as he looks to succeed Tang
Lawyer Edmond Pereira yesterday officially threw his hat in the ring to take over from outgoing Singapore Athletics (SA) president Tang Weng Fei at the association's Annual General Meeting later this month.
Tang yesterday confirmed he would be stepping down after six years as SA chief, citing disputes within the executive committee as one of the main reasons for his decision.
The 66-year-old Pereira is no stranger to the local sporting scene.
A former schoolboy track star, he also handled several court cases for prominent athletes, including sprinter Haron Mundir, footballer Abbas Saad and bodybuilders Jojo Sinclair and Azman Abdullah.
He ran for the top post in Singapore athletics twice previously, in 1984 and 2000, but lost both times to Loh Lin Kok.
But Pereira believes the third time's a charm.
He told The New Paper last night: "Yes, we are fielding a team to contest.
"Our team will have a mixture of experience and youth."
Nominations will have to be submitted by June 20, with the AGM scheduled on June 27.
He is set to be challenged by a team that are understood to be led by former national sprinter Ho Mun Cheong, who is currently the SA's honorary secretary.
In Ho's corner is likely to be long-time friend Loh Chan Pew, who is the SA's vice-president (competitions organising).
Both ran for their posts as part of Sng Sze Hiang's opposition team that sought to oust Tang at SA's last AGM two years ago.
Pereira admitted that one of his biggest challenges, if elected, would be to bring unity to the local track and field scene.
PROBLEMS
He said: "There are problems in the present track and field administrative scene.
"I want to bring all the parties together to work for the common good of the sport.
"(There is still disharmony in SA) because the people were the same as before.
"But the team we have are different.
"I want to get local track and field on the move again. The athletes matter, not the officials."
Pereira confirmed that current SA vice-president (training and selection) C Kunalan is in his team, and added he would formally unveil the full slate later this week, possibly on Friday.
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now
