S’pore Athletics must stay focused on SEA Games glory

Given that the South-east Asian (SEA) Games will be held next month, Singapore Athletics would do well to focus on its preparations (S’pore Athletics WhatsApp message leak: 5 face probe; July 6).

The board of inquiry’s investigation is not so imperative that it cannot be conducted after the Games. Team spirit and performance are bound to be affected if the inquiry is allowed to proceed, whether the parties involved are innocent or not.

Having followed the athletics scene since the 1960s, I cannot understand why there have been squabbles between the officials, coaches and athletes in recent years.

I recall the good old days when our track-and-field athletes were a force to be reckoned with when they competed regionally.

Athletes such as Yeo Kian Chai, Osman Merican, Glory Barnabas and Chee Swee Lee distinguished themselves, even though there were no sponsorships and incentives for them. Their goal was to bring glory to Singapore through hard work and training.

We must also not forget the sacrifices made by coach Patrick Zehnder and one of Singapore Athletics’ longest-serving officials, Lim Tiang Quee. Both gave much of their time to raising our athletics standards.

I hope that our Singapore Athletics officials, coaches and athletes will emulate the altruism of those greats of the past.