Powerlifter Matthew Yap offered assistance by Chiam See Tong Foundation

SINGAPORE — Last month, at the World Classic Powerlifting Championships, Matthew Yap set a new world record and subsequently garnered plenty of attention back home.

That has now led to an offer of support from the Chiam See Tong Sports Foundation (CSTSF) for the 18-year-old, who self-funded his expenses throughout his three-and-a-half years in the sport, as powerlifting is not part of a recognised National Sports Association. 

Matthew has been invited to apply for a CSTSF annual grant, which is aimed at offering financial assistance for under-resourced children and youths.

CSTSF executive director Ravi Philemon told TODAY he reached out to Matthew after the latter’s financial plight was highlighted in the aftermath of his feats at the world championships, where he broke the world squat record en route to winning gold in the men’s Under-66kg sub-junior (14-18 years old) division. 

Matthew also won the overall silver.

“Thanks to a report in your paper, one of our board members saw the effort Matthew has been putting in and how he has been spending his own money and resources to accomplish what he had,” said Philemon. 

“They wanted to see how they could help him … he just has to apply (for the grant) and that will trigger the approval process. I have told him what he needs to do to put the application in and he said he will do it as soon as possible.”

Matthew, a student at Republic Polytechnic, said he was grateful to the CSTSF for its invitation. “I was really surprised… This has been something that I would only dare to dream of,” he said. 

“It is really heartwarming to know somebody has recognised my achievements.”

If successful, the grant offers a maximum of S$3,000 to cover training-related expenses such as coaching fees or equipment purchases, as well as nutritional costs. The approval process will take around four weeks and grants can be re-applied for annually.

“From what he told me over the phone, like how he comes from a single-parent family, I think he is qualified,” Philemon added. 

“All the grants are approved by a programme-and-services committee. Of course we have certain guidelines, like means testing … as long as they provide all the details required, I don’t see ... why the grant shouldn’t be approved.”

The sum will come in handy for Matthew and his brother Marcus, who coaches him. 

Both spent around S$5,500 to compete at the world championships in Minsk, Belarus. 

Matthew worked part-time for two-and-a-half months to save for the trip while Marcus used up his personal savings. 

The siblings also had to rely on a successful last-ditch crowdfunding effort to get new plane tickets back home after an immigration mix-up during their departure made them miss their original flight.

“This will definitely help a lot,” said Matthew, who plans to use the grant to defray flight and accommodation costs.

“I’ve considered working part-time during the weekends to save up for the Asian Championships in December, but both Marcus and I know that it would not be optimal as my performance would be affected.”

The CSTSF, which was launched in March by veteran politician Chiam See Tong, is happy to do their part.

“We have given donations in kind to about 24 athletes so far, and grants to two athletes,” said Philemon.

“We are happy to support applicants like that (Matthew), who fall through the cracks and need a bit of support to bring glory to the country.”