SNOC president Tan: Let's build on the momentum
That's SNOC president Tan's hope after successful SEA Games
Superlative performances in competition and excellence as sporting hosts for the SEA Games have left Singapore National Olympic Council president Tan Chuan-Jin purring, and promising these will not be a one-off.
Shortly after handing over the SEA Games Federation flag to Malaysia, represented by Prince Tunku Imran, president of the Olympic Council of Malaysia, and Khairy Jamaluddin, chairman of the 29th SEA Games Organising Committee, Tan said: "We will see a big boost to sports and I hope we can build on that momentum and bring sports to greater heights.
"We have been developing and growing the sporting scene for some time, in terms of resourcing and facilities.
"We have built good momentum, hosting the AYG (Asian Youth Games), the YOG (Youth Olympic Games) and now the SEA Games.
"We will continue to build on whatever we have been doing, not just for the SEA Games, but also the Asian Games.
"Of course, we are looking forward to the Olympics next year and we will work closely together, between SNOC and Sport Singapore, as well as the different national sports associations to see how best we can provide the platform for our athletes to excel."
Realistically, Team Singapore will be hard-pressed to break the record 84-gold, 259-medal haul in Malaysia two years from now.
But Mr Tan agreed that surpassing the 43-gold mark set at Korat 2007, which remains Singapore's best performance in an overseas Games, is an achievable target.
"We will always try," he said. "We will take stock, see what we can learn and do better in, see what are the good things we can strengthen and to build on that.
"I'm sure we will get better and stronger with time.
COLLECTIVE
"Collectively we hit 84 gold medals and a host of silvers, bronzes and personal bests.
"People were gearing up to perform well here and we need to see what did we do right to see this happen.
"We must learn from this and see how best we can continue to excel.
"To me, (the key questions are) are we putting in place the best possible support systems and networks?
"Are we putting in place administration that can best support our athletes?
"Are we, from the administration, government, and NSA perspective, doing our level best?
"Are the athletes looking after themselves, making sure they are training correctly and eating well?
"If we can do all these well, we are setting all the conditions for excellent performances, the probability of doing well increases, and that's what we should endeavour to do all the time for every Games."
Mr Tan commended all Singaporeans for making this SEA Games a memorable one for every Asean member.
He added: "Every foreign friend has had nothing but good things to say. A big shout-out to all the volunteers... who are confident, proactive and very positive.
"The sportsmanship demonstrated speaks volumes of us as a people.
"We provided outstanding hospitality, everyone was a great ambassador for our country.
"To see everyone get together to cheer our athletes whether they win or lose, that to me is the biggest takeaway.
TEAM
"Team Singapore is not just about athletes, it's also about all of us - the support staff, the families, the coaches, the trainers, the volunteers -- who put in so much effort to put together this SEA Games...
"It brought us together as one nation."
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