S’pore Athletics runs into funding hurdle

SINGAPORE — The Republic’s track and field governing body, Singapore Athletics, could lose its funding for one of its key secretariat staff — its general manager Jaime Cheong — after failing to consult with Sport Singapore on the hire, TODAY has learnt.

Cheong, 34, had initially joined the national sports association (NSA) in February as its manager of sports development and performance before she was re-designated as its general manager two months later. The position was previously held by Damon Yong, who resigned after close to a year to pursue other interests.

A graduate of applied science — with a major in sports coaching — from Melbourne’s Deakin University, Cheong had previously worked with Sport Singapore as a relationship manager in 2012. The former national floorball player also coached the national women’s team to a historic gold medal at the SEA Games last year.

In a recent development, TODAY understands that Singapore Athletics could face a funding cut from Sport Singapore for not consulting the governing body on its appointment of Cheong to the top job.

NSAs here receive annual grants from the Government based on their plans, with athletics receiving over S$1 million annually.

This includes funding for programmes for coaches, youth development and more, and could also cover the salaries of key secretariat staff such as the general manager and technical director.

Responding to queries from TODAY, a Sport Singapore spokesperson said: “Sport Singapore (SportSG) grants subsidise the cost of selected programmes, initiatives and hires by national sports associations (NSAs) that will contribute towards the sport’s success.

“This forms part of the shared vision that is jointly agreed by both SportSG and the NSA. The continued provision of resources is contingent on the agreed plan, including appropriate hiring, being carried out accordingly.

“This approach safeguards the proper use of public funds towards acquiring and developing the required capability and capacity in the NSA.”

When contacted by TODAY, Singapore Athletics president Ho Mun Cheong said they are waiting for a response from SportSG on the matter, and hope to get a reply by mid-December.

Singapore Athletics are also keen to hire German Volker Herrmann for the technical director post, and discussions are underway with SportSG.

Herrmann, who is head coach of the Bavarian state sprint team and an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) lecturer for sprints and jumps, was in Singapore in October for a month to conduct courses and workshops for athletes and coaches.

Singapore Athletics has seen a number of key personnel changes in its secretariat over the last few years, with five people having held the general manager job since 2012.

Head coach Luis Cunha also left the association last month after its decision not to renew his contract, and is now the principal of the ActiveSG Athletics Club.

This incident involving its general manager is the latest in what has been an eventful year for the sport.

Dogged by in-fighting in recent times, Singapore Athletics saw a fiery election battle in June as Ho edged out lawyer Edmond Pereira for the presidency.

Ahead of the election, a brouhaha had also erupted over the association’s selection policy for the men’s wildcard slot to the Olympics, with an 11th-hour about-turn eventually handing the spot to sprinter Timothee Yap.

Soon after the election, Singapore Athletics was hit with a double blow with the association first suspending a coach in June due to an investigation into improper conduct towards three female athletes, before an alleged molestation case prompted a senior official to take a leave of absence two months later.