Singapore Sailing Federation president Ben Tan, a former national sailor who competed at the Olympics, has stepped forward as a candidate for Nominated Member of Parliament.
Should the 46-year-old be successful, he will be the latest to champion sports in Parliament.
Several Nominated MPs, some of whom were former athletes like Tan, have in recent years acted as the voice for sports.
In doing so, some such as Singapore Bowling Federation president Jessie Phua have not been afraid to voice their criticisms of certain sports policies.
In 2008, she took aim at the then-Singapore Sports Council - now called Sport Singapore - for reducing financial aid to athletes in the face of the rising cost of living while raising the qualifying criteria for receiving grants.
She also lambasted them for having only one qualified sports psychologist on its payroll.
Here are a list of previous Nominated MPs who have helped represent sports in Parliament:
- Ng Ser Miang (July 2002-Jan 2005)
Regarded as Singapore's 'Mr Olympics', he was then the chairman of the Singapore Sports Council. He previously served as first vice-president of the International Olympic Committee and is now a member of the powerful international sports organisation.
- Alex Chan (Jan 2005-Apr 2006)
Former national swimmer who was also Singapore Sports Council chairman.
- Jessie Phua (Jan 2007-July 2009)
Singapore Bowling Federation president and one of the few women leaders in the local sporting world. Previously served as president of bowling's world controlling body, the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs, the first Singaporean to take charge of an international sports organisation.
- Joscelin Yeo (July 2009-Apr 2011)
Former national swim queen and one of the region's most successful in the pool, garnering a massive haul of 40 golds at the SEA Games.
- Nicholas Fang (Feb 2012-present)
President of the Singapore Modern Pentathlon Association, and also formerly chief of Fencing Singapore. A two-time SEA Games bronze medallist in fencing. Recently appointed one of two chefs de mission for next year's SEA Games in Singapore.
