Diversity key for Fencing Singapore’s new executive committee

SINGAPORE – National water polo captain Lee Kai Yang has spent a good part of the past 14 years in the pool, but he could soon be stepping into a fencing competition hall.

He is, however, not switching sport. A multiple gold medallist at the SEA Games, Lee is part of the Fencing Singapore (FS) executive committee (exco) that was elected at its annual general meeting at the ERC Institute on Sept 20.

The team of 11 are led by David Chen, who takes over from Juliana Seow as president, after the latter chose not to run for another term after 11 years at the helm.

While Lee, who is the vice-president of strategic partnerships, was humbled by the opportunity to join the team, he acknowledged that he is a “greenhorn” in the sport with much to learn.

He hopes to use his experience as a sports business consultant with Deloitte, where he has worked with various national sports associations, regional and international federations, to contribute and help develop fencing.

Lee, 29, said: “I would characterise my contribution to the overall team as being a catalyst. That’s where my professional experience in the sports industry… gives me a lot of experience and exposure to different methods and processes that can add fuel to the fire, with all the passion that this new slate brings along.”

While the majority of Chen’s team are former national fencers, there are also members like Lee, who do not have a background in the sport.

Exco member Andy Loe is a former national wushu athlete and coach who is now an associate director at Yale-NUS College, where he oversees student life, sports, leadership and wellness.

This was intentional as Chen sought to build a diverse team he feels can give the association a holistic approach to their goals over the next four years.

Chen and former national fencer Wang Wenying are the only two members who were part of the former committee. The latter was previously vice-president for high participation, but will now serve as the association’s assistant treasurer.

Chen, 40, believes his time as the federation’s secretary-general has given him a good understanding of the scene. While the previous exco “built a really strong national programme”, Chen, an entrepreneur in the agricultural sector, realised that resolving issues such as talent retention required more than just sporting expertise.

Lee was initially surprised when Chen first asked him to join the team in May – the duo met when Lee worked with the association at Deloitte.

“It took me a while to think about it, I don’t take the role lightly at all,” said Lee.

“I know full well how much a policy decision at the national sports association exco level can have repercussions for the everyday athlete, and because of that I really had to think hard about what I felt I could bring to the table and to the sport.”

For former national fencer Ruth Ng, who represented Singapore for 11 years and competed at five SEA Games and two Asian Games, joining the team was the perfect opportunity to give back to the sport.

The SEA Games gold medallist has held various volunteer positions, which include serving in the Singapore National Olympic Council’s athletes’ commission and FS’ joint management committee, but did not have the capacity to contribute more owing to family commitments.

But now, with her children aged five and nine, she feels that she has the bandwidth to take on more responsibilities.

Ng, who is a freelancer focused on educational work and copywriting, said that her work experience in Sport Singapore (SportSG), where she worked in various roles, has given her a well-rounded understanding of the sports ecosystem here.

Ng, 38, said: “I’ve been looking forward to coming in and giving back. Fencing has been a very big part of my life and I’ve been very blessed by it.

“I feel like the experiences there (in SportSG), being exposed to much more than high performance and to how sport can bring a lot of value to society and people, with those lenses, it gives me a much better perspective of how fencing can be a great platform.”

As part of her role as FS’ vice-president for pathway, Ng will be looking to enhance pathways in the sport.

She said: “The scene is driving a lot of participation and we can do even more to make that access available to schools and students, people... increase the awareness of the sport.

“I really see my role as trying to synergise it and increase the level of collaboration.”

Fencing Singapore executive committee

President: David Chen

Secretary-general: Ng Aik-Phong

Assistant secretary-general: Jaiden Ho

Treasurer: Samuel Lim

Assistant treasurer: Wang Wenying

Vice-president (Strategic partnerships): Lee Kai Yang

Vice-president (Industry development): Daniel Lim

Vice-president (Pathway): Ruth Ng

Member (Strategic partnerships): Justin Ong

Member (Industry development): Lau Ysien

Member (Pathway): Andy Loe