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SPEECH BY MR ZAINUDIN NORDIN, MAYOR FOR CENTRAL SINGAPORE DISTRICT, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE POSB EVERYDAY CHAMPIONS FOR SPORTS AWARD 2010, SUNDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 2010, 1 PM, SENGKANG SPORTS AND RECREATION CENTRE
Mr Oon Jin Teik, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Sports Council
Mr Jeremy Soo, Managing Director and Head of DBS Consumer Banking Group Singapore
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
1 A very good afternoon.
2 A community is only as strong as the bonds among its people. This is something I have always believed in. Therefore, as an advocate for both sports and building a bonded community, I am pleased that Central Singapore District is the venue for the launch of this year’s POSB Everyday Champions for Sports Award 2010.
3 The POSB Everyday Champions for Sports Award recognizes the everyday champions in our midst. He or she is someone who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to not only help others enjoy sports but also grow through sports. As sports are a great way of building strong bonds among people, these everyday champions not only touch the lives of people but also enrich our community by making it stronger and more resilient.
4 Let me give you an example of one such everyday champion. She is Joyce Leong, who hails from our Central Singapore District. A cyclist who is passionate about her sport, Joyce has founded a cycling group that inculcates a sense of camaraderie. From coordinating daily rides to organizing birthday celebrations and creating special awards that encourage her riders, there is nothing this enthusiastic cyclist has not done to encourage teamwork and bonding for her club and its members. And Joyce was deservedly one of the winners in the individual category for last year’s POSB Everyday Champions Award.
5 I am sure there are others like Joyce in our midst. Quietly but resolutely, they make a difference in our community, inspiring people in the community to get involved in sports through sheer passion and dedication. This resonates well with the Singapore Sports Council’s push to develop an active sports culture in Singapore. It is appropriate that during the nomination period, this year’s Award will be promoted across the various Districts, and partnership with various community organizations. This will heighten efforts to promote a sporting Singapore, reaching deep into our heartlands.
6 I urge residents of the Central Singapore District to join in this quest to recognize and honour our everyday champions. Many of you, especially those who serve in grassroots organizations, have come across individuals, coaches and schools who are exemplary in inspiring sporting endeavours. Please do your part to get them nominated for the Award because they give their time selflessly without expecting any recognition, and it is our duty to shine the spotlight on them for a change. The nomination process for the POSB Everyday Champions for Sports Award 2010 gets underway today, so think about the people around you who deserve this Award. The potential winners maybe a neighbour, housewife, hawker, teacher, principal . . . in fact, they can come from all walks of life, distinguished only by a common passion for sports.
7 At this point, I would like to acknowledge POSB for sponsoring this meaningful award. POSB is known as the “People’s Bank”, having served generations of Singaporeans, and are often referred to as “neighbours first, bankers second”. Not only that, they have also been a strong advocate of sports in the communities they serve. Last year, POSB successfully organised the POSB Run for Kids, and more than 3,500 participants of all ages turned up at Sengkang East Drive and ran and raised $250,000 for children charities. This common touch makes POSB an apt sponsor for the Award which is a celebration of unsung everyday heroes in our community.
In conclusion, I again urge you to give your everyday champions your fullest support by submitting your nominations. Thank you all for your presences today for the launch of the POSB Everyday Champions for Sports Award 2010. We look forward to your nominations. |
