SINGAPORE (Commonwealth Union) _ Singapore Aquatics said on Sunday, 15th October that a Hall of Fame will be launched next year to honour the men and women who helped to make aquatics Singapore’s top sport.
The launch of the Hall of Fame which is a first for a national sports association, will be part of Singapore Aquatics’ 85th anniversary celebrations.
The association said in a media release that “The only sport to deliver Singapore an Olympic gold medal, aquatics athletes have regularly delivered at major meets such as the SEA Games, Asian Games and World Championships. It said that it will bestow the sport’s highest accolade upon a select group of athletes from next year, to honour the accomplishments of its illustrious alumni.
Swimming legend who chairs Singapore Aquatics’ Legacy Council, Patricia Chan, said that the Hall of Fame will go beyond simply recognising the contributions of inductees. She said during an event at the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex on Sunday that it was not merely to pay tribute to their sporting heroes, but more importantly, it was a way for them to tell their stories to future generations.
Mark Chay, Singapore Aquatics president said that initiatives like the Hall of Fame will help the association build a close and inclusive community that brings aquatic athletes from all backgrounds and generations together. He said this was an important step for Singapore Aquatics as it turned 85.
Aquatics athletes who took part in both individual and team events will be eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame, as will those who have positively influenced the sport as coaches, sports administrators, and members of the media.
Singapore Aquatics said “Inductees will have to be Singaporeans or Singapore permanent residents. More details of the eligibility and selection process will be revealed next year.”
A nomination panel has already been formed for selecting the inaugural batch of inductees, the association added.
