Goh Kee Nguan named Team Singapore’s chef de mission for 2026 Asian Games

SINGAPORE – Veteran sports administrator Goh Kee Nguan knows the many moving parts involved in organising a global multi-sport event, having overseen the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2010.

Sixteen years since Singapore welcomed about 3,600 athletes from 205 nations and territories for the YOG, Goh will draw on that experience in a new role as the Republic’s chef de mission for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.

The 66-year-old, who is a board member of the Singapore Olympic Foundation, will be aided by two assistant chefs de mission at the Sept 19 to Oct 4 Aichi-Nagoya Games. They are former national footballer and Olympian Aleksandar Duric, 56, who is now the principal of Sport Singapore’s ActiveSG Football Academy, and former national floorball player Fariza Zabir, 37, who represented Singapore at three SEA Games.

Goh, who was chief executive of the 2010 YOG organising committee, said: “In many ways, the collaboration and coordination among the different agencies, stakeholders and teams bring back memories of organising the YOG. The key difference is that, in 2010, the focus was on delivering the Games.

“This time, our focus is very clearly on our athletes – creating the best possible environment for them to compete, perform at their best and enjoy the experience of representing Singapore.”

In a media statement announcing Goh’s appointment on Aug 19, the Singapore National Olympic Council said he brings “extensive experience in sports administration, leadership and major Games”.

As chef de mission, he will lead and oversee the Team Singapore contingent, “working closely with athletes, officials and the support team to ensure they are well-prepared for the competition”.

Goh, who is executive chairman of telematics and mobile surveillance solution provider Solo, was also a member of the International Olympic Committee’s coordination committee for the 2014 edition of the YOG in Nanjing.

Following the 2010 YOG, he has continued to work in sport. During his time as chief operating officer of entertainment company Cityneon Holdings, he was involved in a number of major sporting events in Singapore and around the region.

Goh has also been serving as an adviser to IGNITX, an international sports consultancy and event management agency, which was founded by some of his YOG colleagues.

Stressing that it is a privilege to represent Singapore, he said: “At the Asian Games, our collective responsibility is to support one another, give our very best and make Singapore proud.

“For me personally, it is a great honour to be back in the Games environment after 16 years.

“But more than returning to the Games, I look forward to being alongside our athletes, sharing their journey and seeing them give their very best on the Asian stage.”

Team Singapore are set to send more than 300 athletes across 27 sports to the 20th Asiad.

Seeing a major Games through the lens of Team Singapore has been a “meaningful experience” for Goh.

He said: “Having greater insight into what our athletes go through in the months and years leading up to a major Games has given me an even deeper appreciation of their dedication, discipline and sacrifices.

“It has also helped me better understand what they need from us as a support team.

“I want every athlete to know that they are not making this journey alone. They have their coaches, team managers, medical and sports science teams, officials and the entire Team Singapore family behind them, supporting them every step of the way.”