Three Singapore swimming clubs have rallied to support the Chiam See Tong Sports Foundation (CSTSF) in its inaugural ‘Splash for Singapore 2017 – Care, Share and Swim Week” to help raise $48,000 for under-resourced Singaporean athletes.
The CSTSF, launched in March 2017, will also aim to get into the Singapore Book of Records for one of the activities as part Splash for Singapore 2017.
The trio of clubs – Aquatic Performance Swim Club (APSC), Ace Swim Club (ACE) and Polo Water Polo Academy – will be leading the “Splash for Singapore 2017 – Care, Share and Swim Week” which will take place between 24 and 30 December 2017.
Said Mr U.K. Shyam, organising committee chairman for the fund-raising initiative, who is also a Board member of the CSTSF: “The week-long activities in the pool will not only bring many swimmers together, but it will bring them together for a good cause to help raise funds for our beneficiaries. It will also be an excellent opportunity for the sports fraternity to connect with the Chiam See Tong Sports Foundation, so that we can foster long term relationships for future projects.
Said Managing Director of APSC, Mr Ang Peng Siong, the Chairman of the Board of the CSTSF: “The week-long activities are meant to foster a spirit of camaraderie and care in the sports fraternity for Singaporean athletes who are under-resourced. It is a perfect way to end the year, in what has been a wonderful and historic year for the Chiam See Tong Sports Foundation.”
As part of its support for “Splash for Singapore 2017”, APSC will organise a mass swim for 150 of its swimmers on 24 December from 6.30am to 9.30am at the Farrer Park Aquatic Complex.
ACE, a club which will turn 20-years-old in 2018, will be having 150 of its swimmers support the event on 30 December 2017 from 4pm to 7pm at the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex.
Said Ms Lim Lee Eng, the Managing Director of ACE, “This is a good cause for us to support and we are excited about it. A huge thanks to our wonderful swim parents for supporting and contributing to this good cause.”
In addition to the mass swim, ACE will also hold a mini-carnival on the day of the event to raise more funds from sales of food and drinks items.
Pacer Water Polo Academy, yet another Singapore Swimming Association affiliate, will take care of the logistics for the Foundation’s attempt to get into the Singapore Book of Records.
Said Mr Ting Wai Piew, Managing Director of Pacer: “We need to get 200 participants or more to tread water for five minutes on 30 Dec 2017 at 5.30pm at the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex. This is a unique fund-raising opportunity and we would like to invite as many people as possible to support us as we attempt to put the Chiam See Tong Sports Foundation into the Singapore Book of Records.”
Participants who participate in the attempt to get into the Singapore Book of Records will each receive a personalised Certificate of Participation jointly issued by the Chiam See Tong Sports Foundation and the Singapore Book of Records.
The series of events throughout the week will be used to raise funds for the CSTSF’s “Cooking Matters” programme and to also raise awareness about the need for water safety.
Said Mr Jose Raymond, Vice-Chairman of the CSTSF: “Mr Chiam was an avid swimmer who was coached by none other than Peng Siong’s father Mr Ang Teck Bee when he was in school. Swimming is one of Singapore’s most popular sports and we would like to encourage other swim schools or clubs to come forward to support us as we raise funds to help under-resourced children and athletes. Together, we can do a lot more for the community and the athletes. All of us can play a part to help our fellow Singaporean athletes achieve their dreams. Together, we are stronger.”
Among the athletes who have received support from the CSTSF include sailor Olivia Chen, powerlifter Matthew Yap and modern pentathlete Kok Kiat Xuan.
The series of events will be kicked off by Aquatic Performance Swim Club by their mass swim event on 24 December, and will culminate with the attempt to get into the Singapore Book of Records by getting 200 participants to tread water for 5 minutes.
Clubs or schools which want to support the CSTSF Splash for Singapore 2017 can either email info@chiamseetongsf.org or call 639311178 during office hours from Monday to Friday to register interest.
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