• Wed. Nov 29th, 2023

Three high profile departures in a month at Singapore Swimming. What’s going on?

Nov 10, 2021 ,

Barely one year into his contract as the Technical Director of Singapore Swimming Association’s (SSA) water polo programme, Paul Oberman has quit. 

Photo: SSA

His departure was somewhat sudden and follows the exit of a few other key instructional personnel hired by the SSA in recent weeks.

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On 18 October, it was revealed that swimming technical director Stephan Widmer had dumped Singapore for a Chinese swimming club. 

Shortly after, it was revealed that national artistic swimming coach Anastasia Goutseva would leave 11 months before her contract ended.

Photo: Straits Times

So what exactly is happening with SSA given the exodus of experts? 

Three exits in a month cannot be coincidental. 

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In January 2021, the SSA announced that Oberman had signed on to serve for a two year term.

One of his tasks was to help Singapore get on the podium at the Asian Games by 2030. *rolls eyes*

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In January this year when he was announced as the technical director for water polo, he said that while Singapore has a stellar record at the ASEAN level, “it has the potential to go so much further.”

By 8 November, a day before the SSA released their statement after being queried, the water polo fraternity had already been abuzz with chatter about the impending departure of the Australian. 

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The SSA stated that Oberman was needed home due to “medical emergencies” but did not respond to whether it was true that the Australian had a new prestigious appointment in his home country. 

Main Photos: SSA, ST

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