Former national swimmer Mark Chay is set to become the new secretary-general of the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) on 1 April.
After 22 years under Chris Chan’s leadership, Chay is ready to take on the responsibility of bringing glory back to Singapore’s sports scene.
Chan’s tenure, which began in 2002, saw key moments like the Youth Olympic Games in 2010 and Joseph Schooling’s historic Olympic gold in 2016.
However, critics have pointed out that Singapore’s sporting achievements at the Olympic level remain few and far between for a nation that pours resources into sports development.
Chay’s resume includes stints as an Olympic swimmer, former president of Singapore Aquatics (SAQ), and chair of the SNOC Athletes’ Commission.
Chay is believed to be serving notice as chief development officer at the Global Esports Federation.
He has also coached Paralympic swimming champion Yip Pin Xiu and was a former Nominated Member of Parliament.
Having stepped down as SAQ president last year to focus on family and treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia, Chay still kept one foot in the pool.
“Even after stepping down as president of SAQ, Mark has remained actively involved as a co-chair of the World Aquatics Championships and as an adviser to SAQ, and also in supporting coaching workshops. His dedication to the sporting community is truly commendable,” said the current SAQ president, Kenneth Goh, speaking to The Straits Times.
The SNOC engaged a consultancy firm to identify candidates.
It is not known who else was on the shortlist.
With Chay’s experience and determination, Singapore’s sporting community hopes for more gold, fewer committee meetings, and a lot more celebration-worthy moments.
Time to see if this new wave makes a splash—or just ripples quietly along.
MAIN PHOTO: SNOC