S’pore water polo confident of double-gold at SEA Games

SINGAPORE — The Singapore men’s and women’s national water polo teams are confident of achieving a double-gold feat at the 2015 SEA Games, with the respective head coaches opting for a mix of youth and experience in their 13-strong squads, which was announced by the Singapore Swimming Association in a media release yesterday.

The men’s team will be led by captain Eugene Teo, and veterans Paul Tan and Loh Zhi Zhi, with four changes from the squad that won gold at the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games. Three players — Ang An Jun, Bryan Ong, and Lee Kai Yang — are set to make their SEA Games debut this year.

“The team trains seven times a week and the commitment that the players have made towards the team is unbelievable,” said men’s national head coach Lee Sai Meng. “The coaching team had difficult decisions to make but we are certain that this is the best team to bring home the gold medal.”

Gina Koh will captain the women’s team who are looking to defend their title won at the 2011 SEA Games — the first time women’s water polo is offered at the biennial event.

The women’s team heading into this year’s SEA Games will have eight new faces from the 2011 SEA Games squad.

The water polo competition at the 2015 SEA Games kicks off on June 10 at the OCBC Aquatic Centre, with the victory ceremonies on June 15 and 16. Tickets for the June 16 water polo matches have been sold out.