Former president of the Singapore Swimming Club (SSC) Freddie Koh Sin Chong was made bankrupt yesterday for owing the club an estimated $2.26 million.

The amount comprises judgment debt, interest and costs.

The club filed a bankruptcy application against the 70-year-old last month for using club funds to defend a defamation suit.

Separately, Mr Koh has been expelled from the club after disciplinary proceedings held last month .

He was found guilty of five charges of breach of fiduciary duties with the intention of furthering his own interests rather than that of the club.

He had made the club pay for his legal expenses even after a judgment was passed by the Court of Appeal in a 2009 defamation suit.

He was also found guilty of two counts of breaching the code of conduct and ethics of the club.

Mr Koh had owed $1.52 million to the club after the apex court overturned a High Court decision last year, which rejected the club's bid to recover the money used by him in his unsuccessful defence of the defamation suit.

The Court of Appeal ruled that the club was entitled to a refund on the grounds of Mr Koh's breach of fiduciary duties, as well as how the club had paid his legal bills under a mistaken belief that he was discharging his duties to the club.

Mr Koh became club president in May 2008. He was ousted at an extraordinary general meeting in March 2012.

He was unrepresented at yesterday's bankruptcy hearing.

The club was represented by WongPartnership.

Elena Chong