By Dawn Yip
Save it, say Singapore's elite athletes.
At least, that's what some SEA Games gold medallists said, when Red Sports asked what they would do with their cash awards, an early hong bao (red packet) they received at an awards ceremony held last week to honour gold medallists. Sponsored by the Singapore Totalisator Board and Singapore Pools, these awards range in value from $10,000 to $30,000.
The athletes we spoke to said that they would be giving a share of their awards to their respective sports associations, and to their coaches. They were also quick to share the credit for their sporting achievements with others.
Still, they were not above giving themselves a little treat, among them a watch, a bicycle and an electric guitar!
Here's what a handful of them had to say:
Mok Ying Ren
Triathlete and first-time SEA Games competitor Mok Ying Ren told Red Sports that he was "very happy" to have won the gold, and the cash award. The 19-year-old NUS medical student, who stays in Sheares Hall, was grateful for the support from the Triathlon Family (TriFam) community, some of whom sent him encouraging SMSes during the competition.
Ying Ren revealed that one of his most ardent supporters was his younger sister Ying Rong, who had gone to Thailand to support him, and had "run up and down the bike route" to cheer him on. When Red Sports asked him what he intended to do with the cash, Ying Ren said that one of his priorities was to "upgrade my watch. It's three years old and I would like to have a heart rate and distance monitor."
What is his next sporting milestone? "It's hard to improve all three at a go," said Ying Ren, so his focus for the year is running.
Tabitha and Nicole Tay
The 17-year-olds made history as the first ever joint gold-medal winners for the Women's Gymnastics Individual All Around event. They were also part of the team that won the women's gymnastics gold, ending Singapore's 26-year gymnastics gold drought at the SEA Games. Recalling the intensity of the competition and their narrow lead, the Tay sisters, who study at Raffles Junior College, told Red Sports that they had been nervous, but their coaches provided much-needed mental support. "We were shocked that we won," said Tabitha, before expressing appreciation for the Team Singapore cheerleaders, a group of volunteers who had come to Thailand to support the Singapore athletes. The twins acknowledged that gymnastics was not a well-known sport in Singapore. For instance, they said, many people confused artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics. "We hope that many youngsters join gymnastics, and people notice that the two are different."
Paul Tan
Singapore's national water polo team has won the SEA Games gold medal – are you ready? – 22 times in a row. It's an awesome feat, and Paul Tan has been part of that team since late 2004.
The 24-year-old, now a student at RMIT University in Melbourne, told Red Sports that winning the gold "feels great. It's been two months but the feeling still hasn't gone away. When I see the medal on my shelf, I smile to myself."
The national water polo team comprises working adults, NSmen and students in roughly equal numbers. Add in their training hours and "that's all we have time for," says Paul. The team also had the benefit of excellent coaching staff like Wang Jian Guang and Paul Oberman, said Paul.
How long more can Singapore water polo hold on to the gold? Paul observed that the water polo teams in the region are "getting better." But Singapore can continue to win because "we are continuously developing good players." Long may it remain so!
Bryan Tay
The 20-year-old swimmer surprised everyone by winning the gold medal in the men’s 100m free with a personal best timing. Bryan was also the first Singaporean to win the title since Ang Peng Siong in 1987. He went on to break Ang's 100m National Record during his leg of the 4x100m relay race.
Formerly from ACS(Independent) and Raffles Junior College, Bryan is now doing his national service. "Support from the army was great," said Bryan. Under the SAF Sportsmen Scheme, Bryan explained that he had the option of either half a day off every day, or 2 days off every week, for training. He was also grateful to his coach of 8 years Jin Xiao Li.
As for the cash awards, Brian said he would save the money. But he's just started to learn how to play the guitar, so he did indulge in a $600 Fender electric guitar, he added with a grin.
Ah,wonderful! Thanks. 🙂
“Tabitha and Nicole Tay … or is that Nicole and Tabitha Tay? If you know, please put us out of our misery. (Photo © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)”
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It’s nicole on the left and tabitha on the right (: