SINGAPORE’S SAILING “MACHINERY” KICKS IN
Upon returning to Singapore from that 2019 trip where I first met Max, I triggered our sailing “machinery”.
In 2010, as then president of the Singapore Sailing Federation (SSF), I had launched a long-term strategic blueprint called The Next Leg to develop our pipeline of sailing champions.
The plan aimed for progressive benchmarks, from just qualifying for the Olympics in 2012, to mid-fleet finishes in 2016, top 10 finishes in 2020, and medalling in 2024.
Opportunities arise when new sailing events are first introduced into the Olympic slate, such as the 49erFX, where the pecking order is not as established yet. We identified the 49erFX early as a focus area and campaigned early, and that strategic approach paid dividends at the Tokyo Olympics, with a top 10 finish.
Likewise with kitefoiling in this edition of the Olympics. The Kitesurfing Association of Singapore, whose activities prior to 2019 was limited to recreational kiting, was tasked by SSF to take on high performance functions to support Max and others daring to follow him.
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong was also alerted, along with the National Youth Sports Institute, the Singapore Sport Institute (SSI) and the Singapore National Olympic Committee (who sent Max to the World Beach Games in Doha for exposure to multi-sport games formats in 2019).
The SSI placed Max on spexScholarship, the highest tier of support for Singapore’s athletes. The Journey to the 2024 and 2028 Olympics Taskforce took Max under its wing, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated support system.
It was not difficult for me to advocate for Max – his results did all the talking.
These behind-the-scenes insights demonstrate how Max’s Olympic medal was won through deliberate engineering, by him, his parents, and Singapore’s extensive sports ecosystem.
There’s more to come from Max and I hope that Singaporeans are inspired by Max to chart their own paths towards the pinnacle of sports, knowing that Singapore is behind them.
To aspiring athletes, if you have not already done so, take that first step now.
Dr Ben Tan is an Olympian, Asian Games gold medallist, and four-time SEA Games gold medallist in sailing. He is also Honorary Advisor and founding Chairman of the Olympic Pathway Taskforce at the Singapore Sailing Federation, Singapore National Olympic Council vice president, Sport Singapore board member, co-chair of the Journey to the 2024 and 2028 Olympics Taskforce and a member of the spexScholarship Selection Committee.
