Former President of Netball Singapore Ivy Singh-Lim, also fondly known as the “Gentle Warrior” at Bollywood Farms, has presented a $15,000 reward to Singapore’s national netball team, the Singapore Vandas.
Emerging victorious at the 13th Asian Netball Championships held last month in Bengaluru,
India, the reward is awarded to the Singapore Vandas team and its officials to mark another
historic milestone for the team.
The announcement was made during the Bollywood Women’s Farm Festival at Bollywood
Farms on 1 December, where Singh-Lim shared her personal pride and excitement in the team’s recent achievements.
Netball is more than a sport among the community in Singapore–it’s a force of empowerment for
women. Singh-Lim, who served as President of Netball Singapore for 14 years from 1992 to
2006, played a pivotal role in elevating the sport’s profile both locally and regionally.
During her tenure, Singapore’s netball team’s portfolio gained quite remarkable momentum.
This includes improved facilities, expanded participation in regional and international
competitions, and the launch of the semi-professional Netball Super League in 2000.
Her initiatives played a crucial role in netball’s inclusion in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games for
the first time in 2001, where Singapore proudly bagged a silver medal. Singh-Lim’s contributions
left such a lasting impact, cementing her role as a champion of women’s sports and community
development in Singapore.
Said the 75-year-old Gentle Warrior, “Netball has always been deeply close to my heart, mainly
because it is a women’s sport. It fosters resilience, builds strength, and cultivates a culture of
healthy living within our community.
“This victory is far more than just a title — it is a testament to the incredible potential of our women and what can be achieved through hard work, determination, and teamwork.”
When asked about her interest towards netball, she further commented, “It is simply because it
is an inspiring women-led sport.
“The players are disciplined, dedicated and driven to excel, which is amazing. I hope netball is seen as an equivalent to other sports such as golf, where it rallies women together and binds friendships and support.
“Through this community, I have made many lifelong friends; many of whom are present at today’s event.”
The Singapore Vandas’ triumph marks the country’s fourth Asian Netball Championships title
and their first since 2014.
This achievement sets the stage for greater milestones, including the team’s endeavor for a gold medal at the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
REVIEW OF MAJOR GAMES AWARD PROGRAMME (MAP)
Singh-Lim also urged policymakers to include regional achievements, such as the Asian Netball
Championships, in Singapore’s Major Games Award Programme (MAP).
She stressed that celebrating regional achievements alongside international accomplishments is essential to nurturing local talents while fostering a culture of excellence.
“Success isn’t always measured on a global scale.
“Our regional wins are just as significant and deserve recognition. We need to nurture the talents that we have at home and highlight the importance of celebrating each milestone throughout the journey,” added Singh-Lim.
The reward presentation was held during the Bollywood Women’s Farm Festival, in which the
theme of the festival itself brings together food, community, and empowerment.
PHOTOS: SW STRATEGIES
