Singapore sailing gets new chief executive

SINGAPORE — The Singapore Sailing Federation (SSF) will have a new skipper next year, with Andrew Tam taking over the helm from current chief executive Tan Wearn Haw starting on Jan 1 next year.

While new to the national sports association, Tam is no stranger to the sailing fraternity. He has more than 20 years of experience working in various roles at Changi Sailing Club, the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club, Raffles Marina and the SAF Yacht Club. He also played an instrumental role in SAF Yacht Club’s Get Kids Afloat programme, which gave many of the national training squad’s sailors their first taste of the sport.

An assistant director with the Singapore Management University’s (SMU) Office of Student Life — where he was credited with developing its sailing programme — Tam has spent the past decade working in the education sector. His work there covered sports, adventure training, sponsorship and marketing, leadership and life-skills development.

Aside from working on youth development and participation, one of Tam’s immediate tasks will also be the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next August, where Team Singapore’s sailors have earned four qualification slots so far.

With Singapore sailing enjoying success here and abroad, Tam is well aware of the challenges of taking on the top post.

“The challenge (at SSF) is there, but I wouldn’t say it is pressure as long as you put your heart and soul and passion into it,” he said.

“I am very much looking forward to it ... I hope to brand sailing as a lifestyle as it is an all-rounder sport that allows people to keep fit and engage their minds. Through that, people will see it as a fun sport and participation will grow.”

Outgoing chief Tan, who was seconded to the SSF from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) in 2011, will return to the MCCY after he steps down in January. He will be then be co-opted as the SSF’s secretary-general.

Tan has been credited with many of the federation’s successes in recent years, particularly in the junior, youth and Olympic programmes. During his tenure, Team Singapore achieved an unprecedented number of wins and medals at the optimist, ISAF Youth Worlds and major regattas. He was also key in the SSF’s efforts to build a vibrant local regatta calendar, and was actively involved in supporting the clubs’ efforts to rejuvenate keelboat and recreational racing.

“In a fairly short period, he has consolidated and reinforced our foundation and at the same time excited Singapore and given a glimpse of the potential of sailing,” said SSF president Benedict Tan.

“The work continues and Andrew comes in at a time when his experience, skill sets and nature will strengthen the sailing fabric, and take Singapore Sailing and its people forward.”