- TeamSG’s debut in 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games will see two youth athletes compete with world’s best
- TeamSG’s Samuel Kang, Tay Wei Ming and Alyssa Pok unveiled as flag bearers
- Tao Li and Muhammad Shakir Juanda inducted into Sports Hall of Fame
Singapore, 9 November 2019 – Team Singapore is gearing up for a strong performance once again with the largest away contingent preparing for the upcoming 2019 SEA Games and the 2020 Asean Para Games. Both Games will take place in the Philippines across Subic, Manila and Clark. A total of 681 athletes across 48 sports will compete in the SEA Games while another 61 athletes across 12 sports will compete in the ASEAN Para Games in January.
About Singapore National Paralympic Council
Formed on 23 June 2008, the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) is the only national body recognised by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The SNPC focuses on enabling our elite Para athletes to participate in major games like the ASEAN Para Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Para Games, Asian Youth Para Games and Paralympic Games.
For more information, please visit www.snpc.org.sg. Follow the SNPC on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sgparalympics and @sg_paralympics on Instagram.
For media enquiries, please email us at admin@snpc.org.sg.
January 2020 will also see a milestone for Singapore, with two of our youth athletes representing the nation at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland. This will be the first time that Team Singapore is represented in the Winter Youth Olympic Games.
At the official Flag Presentation Ceremony this morning, TeamSG squash player Samuel Kang, TeamSG shuttler Tay Wei Ming and TeamSG short-track speed skater Alyssa Pok were unveiled as the flag bearers for the SEA Games, Asean Para Games and Winter Youth Olympic Games respectively; while TeamSG goalball player Joan Hung was the pledge taker.
The event was presided over by guests-of-honour Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Speaker of Parliament and President, Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth. Both presented Singapore flags to the Chefs de Mission, who then handed them over to the flag bearers.
2019 SEA Games
Ms Juliana Seow, Chef de Mission for Team Singapore at the SEA Games said, “This is the largest contingent we are sending to any major Games. Preparations started many months ago as it is a mammoth task getting the 1000-strong contingent ready for the Games. The SNOC, SSI, MCCY, NSAs and other organisations such as MINDEF, the employers and families have all played a very important role in supporting the athletes on their SEA Games journey. Keeping our athletes healthy and in tip-top shape to put on their best performance for Singapore, and their safe return thereafter, is our utmost priority and I am grateful for the support from all stakeholders.”
This year’s SEA Games looks set to be an exciting one for the athletes who qualified, and will feature athletes making their debut in new sports such as breaking, beach handball, e-sports, jiu-jitsu, kurash, sambo, skateboarding, surfing as well as underwater hockey.
2020 ASEAN Para Games
Taking place in the Philippines after the 2019 SEA Games from 18 to 25 January 2020, 61 Team Singapore athletes will compete across 12 sports at the 10th ASEAN Para Games.
Mr Eric Tseng, Chef de Mission for Team Singapore at the ASEAN Para Games, showed optimism in the athletes. “I have never been so excited for a team that’s preparing for a competition. After meeting several teams and athletes and seeing them in action – there was a notable common denominator among all of them that made me so optimistic. Everyone played with relentless passion, surrounded by astounding diversity teammates, coaches and supporters from all backgrounds. This incredible inner passion of our athletes and diversity of our people will be the strength of Singapore going into the ASEAN Para Games and I hope all Singaporeans will come together to support our athletes.”
Shuttler and flag bearer for the Games, Tay Wei Ming, has been putting in the work and getting in the right frame of mind. Tay said, “It has been a busy year leading up to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as there are many competitions to accumulate ranking points in order to qualify. Prior to this, ASEAN Para Games (APG) happens to fall in place along the timeline as these competitions help me to prep up for APG mentally and physically.
Working together with the various support groups under the high-performance team, the training is target-specific which covers both technical and physical aspects of the sport. Hopefully, there will be another breakthrough as the top three players of the world will be present at this APG.”
2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games
Team Singapore is set to mark another momentous point in history as it will take part in the Winter Youth Olympic Games for the first time, with two athletes making the cut to represent the nation in Lausanne, Switzerland from 9 to 22 January.
Ms Joanne Kyra Loo, Chef de Mission for Team Singapore at the Winter Youth Olympic Games said, “I am sure Alyssa and Matthew feel the honour of being the first Singaporeans to represent at the Winter YOG. 2020 is not only a celebration of another milestone for youth sports in Singapore, it also marks the 10-year anniversary since Singapore’s hosting of the inaugural edition of YOG. It is a significant milestone that we are proud to share and celebrate. The YOG athletes will also engage in a unique blend of sporting, cultural and educational activities which form an important part of the YOG.”
On Team Singapore’s preparedness for the Winter YOG, Ms Loo said, “Travelling from the tropics in Singapore to winter in Lausanne, the team would need to acclimatise quickly to the weather, manage jet lag and familiarise ourselves with the venue. The support staff at the NYSI will be helping the athletes to take steps to manage these challenges. More importantly, we hope to bring a positive attitude to the YOG and fly the Singapore flag high at the Games. I would also like to encourage Singaporeans to support our athletes and catch them in action on television or online.”
2019 Sports Hall of Fame Inductees
The Sports Hall Of Fame (HOF) pays tribute to Singapore’s finest sporting heroes and heroines. The minimum criteria for induction into the Sports HOF is an Asian Games gold medal. Outstanding achievers who have represented Singapore over the years and are seen as icons for their respective sports are also eligible for consideration.
Double Asian Games gold medallist swimmer Tao Li and two-time pencak silat world champion Muhammad Shakir Juanda were this year’s inductees, receiving plaques from the guests-of-honour for their contributions to sport and the community. (Details on their profiles available in Annex F)
Show your support: #OneTeamSG
Members of the public are encouraged to show their support for Team Singapore by posting well wishes and hashtagging #OneTeamSG on the Team Singapore Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TeamSG or on their Instagram page at @TeamSingapore.
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Annexes
Annex A: Profiles of Flag Bearers and Pledge Taker
Annex B: Profiles of Chefs de Mission
Annex C: Speech by Minister Tan Chuan-Jin
Annex D: 2019 SEA Games Contingent Name List (Google doc link)
Annex E: 2020 ASEAN Para Games Contingent Name List
Annex F: Winter Youth Olympic Games Contingent Name List
Annex G: Profiles of Sports Hall of Fame Inductees
About Team Singapore
Team Singapore is a shared identity for all Singaporeans, where sport is the national language. It represents the unique connection between our athletes and every other Singaporean – young or old, as they embark on a sporting journey as one. Team Singapore is one big family inspiring one another through sport. It is a relationship that extends beyond the sporting fraternity, and beyond the major Games. Team Singapore is about living better lives as we embody values inherent in sport: a winning spirit, an appreciation for teamwork, a commitment to purpose, the importance of ethical behaviour and a love for our country.
For further information on Team Singapore, please visit www.teamsingapore.com.sg.
Follow Team Singapore’s action on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeamSG and Instagram at@TeamSingapore.
About Singapore National Olympic Council
The Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) is the national non-profit organisation that coordinates the selection of Singaporean athletes for competition at the major games such as the Olympic Games, the Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games and the Southeast Asian Games. Singapore’s involvement in the Games is resolutely anchored in the Olympic ideals that were first espoused by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, in 1894.
For more information, please visit www.snoc.org.sg Follow the SNOC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SGOlympics and @SGOlympics on Twitter and Instagram.
About Singapore National Paralympic Council
Formed on 23 June 2008, the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) is the only national body recognised by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to represent Singapore at international para sporting events sanctioned by the IPC.
The SNPC is responsible for selecting elite para athletes to represent Singapore at major IPC, Asian Para Committee and ASEAN Para Sports Federation sanctioned Games, namely, the Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Para Games, ASEAN Para Games and Asian Youth Para Games.
About Singapore Disability Sports Council
Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) is the only organisation in Singapore that caters to sports for persons across all kinds of disabilities. It aims to help persons with disability lead full and independent lives through sports. Besides providing sporting opportunities for them to realise their potential, SDSC trains talents to represent Singapore and pursue sporting excellence at regional and international competitions. Find out more at www.sdsc.org.sg.
About Sport Singapore
As the national sports agency, Sport Singapore’s core purpose is to inspire the Singapore spirit and transform Singapore through sport. Through innovative, fun and meaningful sporting experiences, our mission is to reach out and serve communities across Singapore with passion and pride. With Vision 2030 – Singapore’s sports master plan, our mandate goes beyond winning medals. Sport Singapore uses sport to create greater sporting opportunities and access, more inclusivity and integration as well as broader development of capabilities. At Sport Singapore, we work with a vast network of publicprivate- people sector partners for individuals to live better through sport.
To find out more, visit our websites www.sportsingapore.gov.sg and www.myactivesg.com.
Follow us at www.facebook.com/myActiveSG and www.youtube.com/SingaporeSports.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Laura Cheng
Sport Singapore
HP: 96507074
Email: laura_cheng@sport.gov.sg
Ho Shu Fen
Singapore National Olympic Council
HP: 97938443
Email: hoshufen@snoc.org.sg
Joy Lee
Singapore National Paralympic Council
HP: 9066 9772
Email: Joy_Lee@snpc.org.sg
ANNEX A: Profile of Flag Bearers and Pledge Taker
|
Designation |
Name & Sport |
Achievements |
|
Flag Bearer 2019 Asian Games |
Samuel Kang Squash 江山睦
|
· 2017 SEAGames – Men’s Jumbo Doubles – Gold · 2017 SEAGames – Singles – Bronze · 2017 SEA Games, Team – Gold · 2017 Philippines Squash Academy Closed Satellite – Champion · 2016 Philippines Squash Academy Closed Satellite – Champion · 2016 Nanjing Squash Open – Silver · 2016 Kijono Cup Squash Open – Silver · 2015 SEA Games, Team – Silver · 2015 SEA Games, Individual – Bronze · 2015 Nanjing Squash Open – Silver |
|
Flag Bearer 2019 Asian Para Games |
Tay Wei Ming Badminton
郑伟铭 |
· Bronze at 2019 Thailand Para Badminton International, Bangkok, Men Singles SU5 · Bronze at 2018 Hulic • Dailhatsu Japan Para Badminton International, Men’s Singles SU5 · Bronze at 2018 Australia Para Badminton International, Men’s Singles SU5 · Bronze at 1st Fazza – Dubai Para-Badminton International 2018, Men’s Singles SU5 · Gold at 2018 Spanish Para-Badminton International, Men’s Singles SU5 · Gold at 2017 Badminton World Federation (BWF) Para-Badminton World Championships, Men’s Doubles · Bronze at 2017 9th ASEAN Para Games, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Men’s Singles SU5 · Gold at 2017 FZ Forza Irish Para-Badminton International, Dublin, Men’s Singles SU5 · Bronze at 2017 Thailand Para-Badminton International, Bangkok, Men’s Singles SU5 · Bronze at 2016 Irish Para-Badminton International, Antrim, Men’s Singles SU5 · Silver at 2016 Irish Para-Badminton International, Antrim, Men’s Doubles SU5 · Bronze at 2016 Indonesia Para-Badminton International – Men’s Doubles SU5 · Bronze at 2015 BWF Para Badminton World Championships, Stoke Mandeville, Men’s Doubles SU5 · Silver at 2015 Carlton Irish Para-Badminton International, Dublin, Men’s Singles SU5 · Silver at 2015 Carlton Irish Para-Badminton International, Dublin Men’s Doubles SU5 · Silver at 2014 England Para Badminton Championships, Loughborough, Men’s Doubles SU5 · Bronze at 2014 Indonesia Open Para-Badminton Championships, Men’s Doubles SU5 · Bronze at 2013 Germany BWF Para Badminton World Championships, Men’s Singles SU5 · Bronze at 2013 Germany BWF Para Badminton World Championships, Men’s Doubles SU5 · Silver at 2012 Victor Asian Para-Badminton Championships Korea, Men’s Singles SU5 · Gold at 2011 6th ASEAN Para Games, Solo, Indonesia, Men’s Singles SU4 · Gold at 2009 5th ASEAN Para Games, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Men’s Singles SU4 |
|
Flag Bearer 2019 Winter Youth Olympic Games |
Alyssa Pok Short-Track Speed Skating 卜靖颖 |
· 2017 SEA Trohpy, Junior D Girls, Gold |
|
Pledge Taker |
Joan Hung Hui Xin Goalball 洪慧欣 |
· 2019 Asia & Pacific Goalball Invitational Tournament – 5th |
ANNEX B: Profiles of Chefs de Mission
|
Designation |
Name |
Achievements |
|
Chef de Mission 2019 Asian Games |
Juliana Seow 萧慧莉 |
An ex national fencer from 2004 – 2009, Ms Juliana Seow is currently the President of Fencing Singapore. She is also currently the Head of the Semi Commission in Asia for the Fencing Confederation of Asia. In 2017, she was part of the Semi Commission Delegate for Asian Fencing Championships 2017. Since 2015, Ms Seow has been a member of the Singapore National Olympic Council.
|
|
Assistant Chef de Mission 2019 Asian Games
|
Chung Pei Ming 曾沛铭 |
Mr Chung Pei Ming is the General Manager at Singapore Sailing Federation and was a former national sailor from 1999-2008. He is a three-time SEA Games medallist in 2001, 2005 and 2007 with two golds and one silver. He also serves as a member of the World Sailing Youth Events Sub- Committee. |
|
Assistant Chef de Mission 2019 Asian Games
|
Valerie Teo 张慧莹 |
Dr Valerie Teo is a Family Physician by profession at the National Healthcare Group Polyclinics (NHGP). She is Deputy Head at Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic and also serves as Vice-President of the Singapore Bowling Federation. A former national bowler from 1997-2006, Dr Teo has won medals from the SEA Games, World Youth Bowling Championships as well as the Doha Asian Games. She received the Singapore Youth Award in 2007. |
|
Chef de Mission 10th Asian Para Games |
Eric Tseng 曾皓群
|
Mr Eric Tseng is hard-of-hearing with severe bi-lateral sensorineural hearing loss and a retired competitive ice hockey player (8 years) and competitive cheerleader (10 years). At the height of his sporting career, he won regional minor hockey championship with his team and was part of Team Canada at the 2007 ICU World’s Cheerleading Championship where he finished 3rd out of 30+ countries. Today, Mr Tseng strength trains regularly to stay in shape and cycles for cardio.
Mr Tseng was part of the 2017-2021 Enabling Masterplan 3 (EMP3) Steering Committee where he helped develop a multi-year / multi-faceted plan to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities. He currently volunteers as part of the EMP3 Workgroup on Employment, is a Vice President board member at the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf), the Board Member representative from SADeaf to the Singapore Disability Sports Council and part of the 2019 Purple Parade planning committee. He has previously served as a Board Member for the Children’s Charity Association of Singapore, was a Working Group member for the UNCRPD Parallel Report, and invited to speak as a panel member at the 2018 ASEAN Summit on Social Welfare and Development.
Professionally, Mr Tseng has worked in the digital and technology industry for over 13 years. He holds a Bachelor or Commerce with Honours from Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada. Mr. Tseng was born in the United States and raised in Canada, with native heritage from Taiwan and has lived in Singapore for over 9 years as a Permanent Resident where he now calls home.
|
|
Assistant Chef de Mission of 10th ASEAN Para Games |
Kang Tze Wei |
Kang Tze Wei is an Assistant Manager of High Performance at the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC). Currently leading the high performance programme of Para sports in Singapore, Kang has been cultivating and expanding his portfolio over the past six years by being involved in various Para sporting programmes and major games. Kang has taken on leading roles such as team manager and secretariat at the ASEAN Para Games, Asian Youth Para Games, Asian Para Games, and the Paralympic Games. |
|
Chef de Mission 2019 Winter Youth Olympic Games
|
Joanne Kyra Loo 吕佩君
|
Ms Joanne Kyra Loo represented Singapore in netball from 2000 to 2006 and headed Singapore Sports School Head Coach from 2013 – 2016. She is currently at the National Youth Sports Institute managing athletes’ performance pathways. In 2013 and 2015, Ms Loo’s team placed third in the Asian Youth Netball Championships, and were subsequently crowned champions in 2017. Her team placed third in 2018 for the World Netball University Championships. |
ANNEX C
SPEECH BY GUEST OF HONOUR MR TAN CHUAN-JIN, SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT AND PRESIDENT OF THE SINGAPORE NATIONAL OLYMPIC COUNCIL AT THE TEAM SINGAPORE SEA GAMES, ASEAN PARA GAMES AND WINTER YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES FLAG PRESENTATION CEREMONY ON SATURDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 2019 AT 8.55AM AT ONE TAMPINES HUB
Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth
Chefs de Mission – Ms Juliana Seow, Mr Eric Tseng and Ms Joanne Loo
Colleagues, officials and athletes
Ladies and gentlemen
Good morning.
It is great to see all of you here this morning. Thank you for showing up to support our athletes, as they make their final preparations heading into the SEA Games, Winter Youth Olympic Games and ASEAN Para Games.
This year, we will be sending our largest away contingent yet to the SEA Games. More than 600 athletes across 48 sports will be competing at the Games, while 61 athletes from 12 sports have qualified to compete at the ASEAN Para Games. As our athletes compete with Southeast Asia’s top sporting talents, two young athletes will represent Singapore for the first time at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, home of the International Olympic Committee. These are momentous milestones, and I’m delighted to be able to celebrate them with you. Good job, Team Singapore and congratulations for earning the privilege to represent the country.
You will be in the good hands of our chefs de mission – Juliana, Eric and Joanne. They will be supported by their assistant CDMs – Chung Pei Ming, Dr Valerie Teo and Kang Tze Wei. All of them were former athletes and have extensive experience serving Singapore sport and National Sports Associations.
We hope you will enjoy the hospitality of the hosts – Phillippines and Switzerland – and be the best ambassadors of Singapore while you are there. Enjoy the competition and camaraderie the Games have to offer.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people working hard behind the scenes to support our athletes, including the fans cheering on the sidelines. Your presence and encouragement goes a long way, and this journey is yours to enjoy too. Thank you very much.
All the best and see you at the Games.
– END –
ANNEX D: Asian Games Contingent Name List
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0By5KOy3jGc2XUEwyaXhTLUtPY1BaMDNSbUVoM0ViekdKdDdj/view?usp=sharing
ANNEX E: Asian Para Games Contingent Name List
|
Sport |
Athletes |
|
|
Archery |
Nur Syahidah Binte Alim |
Robert Fuchs |
|
Athletics
|
Suhairi Suhani |
Lionel Toh Jun Jie |
|
Muhammad Diroy Bin Noordin |
Muhammad Nur Ariq Bin Yaakub |
|
|
Maisarah Binte Mohamed Hassan |
Leow Zi Xiang Zac |
|
|
Siti Nurhayati Binte Ali Aksar Khan |
|
|
|
Badminton |
Tay Wei Ming |
|
|
Boccia
|
Toh Sze Ning |
Neo Kah Whye |
|
Nurulasyiqah Binte Mohammad Taha |
Juni Syafiqa Binte Jumat |
|
|
Tan Yee Ting, Jeralyn |
Ho Jing Rui Gareth |
|
|
Chess |
Edwin Tan Yong Zhao |
|
|
CP Football
|
Khairul Anwar Bin Kasmani |
Muhamad Haikal Aiman Bin Samri |
|
Muhammad Mubarak Bin Mohd Rastam |
Suhaimi Sudar |
|
|
Abdul Mahdi Bin Abdul Rahman |
Muhammad Shafiq Ariff |
|
|
Muhammad Shahidil Bin Saidi |
Pranav S/O Balu |
|
|
Peter Kam |
Balasubramaniam Annamalai |
|
|
Muhammad Firdaus Bin Mohamed Noor |
Muhammad Alif Anwar Bin Ibrahim |
|
|
Goalball |
Joan Hung Hui Xin |
Christina Aw Peiwen |
|
Norliana Bte Mohamed Ajam |
Inez Hung Hui Min |
|
|
Para Triathlon |
Delia Kang Ting Ling |
|
|
Powerlifting |
Kalai Vanen |
|
|
Swimming
|
Yip Pin Xiu |
Darren Chan Wei Siang |
|
Toh Wei Soong |
Han Liang Chou |
|
|
Danielle Moi Yan Ting |
Benson Tan Eng Kiong |
|
|
Fu Ai-Lin Nicole |
Colin Soon Jin Guang |
|
|
Table Tennis
|
Claire Toh Shu Min |
Chua Hsiang Lim Darren |
|
Mu Yu Guang |
Muhammad Dinie Asyraf Bin Huzaini |
|
|
Eric Ting Chee Keong |
|
|
|
Tenpin Bowling
|
Mohamed Ismail Bin Hussain |
Siti Nurhamizah Bte Hamzah |
|
Tan Swang Hee |
Mohamad Rausyan Bin Mohamad Ya’acob |
|
|
Anuar Bin Saaid |
Muhammad Farhan Bin Ismail |
|
|
Diane Neo Pei Lin |
Eric Foo Ming De |
|
|
Tan Wei Lian |
Low Chang Hong |
|
|
Thomas Nathan Chan Kim Yong |
Nixon Fan Jun Jie |
|
|
Thomas Yong Phen Chong |
|
|
ANNEX F: Winter Youth Olympic Games
|
Sport / Event |
Name of Athlete |
Age |
|
Short track speed skating |
Alyssa Pok (Flag bearer)
|
15 |
|
Ice Hockey Mixed Team Tournament |
Matthew Hamnett |
15 |
ANNEX G: Profiles of Sports Hall of Fame Inductees
Tao Li, Swimming, Gold – Asian Games 2006 & 2010
Tao Li is a double Asian Games gold medallist in 2006 and 2010. In 2006, she became the first Singaporean swimmer in 24 years to win gold at the Asiad when she won the 50m Fly. In the process, she became only the second female swimmer to win gold at the Asian Games after Junie Sng in 1978. When she repeated her gold performance at the 2010 Asian Games, she went on to become the first Singaporean swimmer to win gold medals at more than one Asian Games.
At the 2008 Olympic Games, Tao Li became the first Singaporean and first Southeast Asian female swimmer to qualify for an Olympic final in the 100m Butterfly where she finished 5th. In 2008, she also became the first and only Singaporean to win an event at the FINA Swimming World Cup held in Singapore, Stockholm and Berlin. She is also a two-time Sportswoman of the Year in 2007 and 2008.
A product of the Singapore Sports School, Tao Li’s stellar results instilled a belief in the local swimming community that world-class swimmers could be produced through the Singapore system. After her career as a swimmer, Tao Li has contributed back to the swimming fraternity first as Chef de Mission at the Youth OIympic Games in 2018 and then as a speaker at the Singapore Olympic Academy to our youth athletes. Her swim school has also collaborated with NCSS, SGCares and SportCares in July this year to organise a charity swim to raise money for SportCares and the Rainbow Centre Special School to provide free swimming lessons to its’ students from September to December 2019.
Muhammad Shakir Juanda, Silat, Gold – World Silat Pencak Championships 2012 & 2016
Shakir is a two-time world pencak silat champion in 2012 and 2016. His road to success instils belief in the adage that “if one is willing to work hard and never give up, one can achieve even the most daunting goals”.
When he was captain of the national silat team in 2009, Shakir actively volunteered at the Singapore Silat Federation and Grasio Association, coaching children and youth in the sport. He has also conducted talks at schools to inspire students to achieve their dreams and engaged in various community events, such as the Sports Hub Opening Community Walk and SportCares Saturday Night Lights to share anecdotes of his sporting journey with the public.
He continues to give back to the silat community and is held with reverence amongst silat exponents and coaches alike. He is an exemplary individual who continues to be a mentor to his juniors and contributes to the needy through the Jamiyah Foundation and was part of the silat team who contributed back to their community by breaking fast with the underprivileged during Ramadan.
His discipline, positive attitude and compassion for children and the underprivileged have made him a much admired role model. For his sporting excellence and dedication to nurturing young athletes, he was conferred the Singapore Youth Award in 2015, which is the nation’s highest accolade for youth and honours exceptional young people who have made a positive difference to the community and brought distinction to the nation. Out of the $10,000 he received from the SYA, he donated $8,000 to his former silat club to fund equipment for their gym.
“As a kid, I’ve always looked up to Shakir. When I became a spexScholar myself and had the chance to train with him as a teammate, Shakir was one of my biggest support. For the first few months when I felt like the weakest link as the only female in the team, he never made me feel inferior and instead challenged me to train to his level. His constant encouragement and advice provided me with the motivation to train harder every day. I am now a stronger and tougher fighter and a world champion myself. Shakir is not only a mentor to the younger athletes but also a supportive teammate who pushes you to be the best that you can be!” – Nurul Suhaila Mohd Saiful, World Pencak Silat 2018 champion
