SSA balancing medal hunt with youth development

We are grateful to Mr Tan Chi Wei for following our athletes and their achievements over the years, and for caring enough to write to Voices with his points (Use SEA Games to groom more young swimming talents; Aug 8).

Swimming has always been at the forefront of sport in Singapore, and there is a certain expectation for us to deliver again in Kuala Lumpur in two weeks’ time. This year, we have 12 debutants in swimming and open water.

Our youngest male and female swimmers are Glen Lim, 15, and Faith Khoo, 13. We have a good mix of experienced swimmers who can guide our younger swimmers towards greater success in the future.

One of the things that we, as a national sports association, must do is balance the nation’s needs with the need for youth development.

We recognise that Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen have achieved success at an international level. To them, it is a privilege to don national colours and compete for the country.

Yet having also recognised the need for youth development, they have taken a smaller load of events this year to allow other swimmers their chance to shine.

We hope that all our swimmers perform well at the coming South-east Asian Games, and we are honoured by the support Mr Tan has shown to them.