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gct19990112m Singapore Government PRESS RELEASE Media Division, Ministry of Information and the Arts, #36-00 PSA Building, 460 Alexandra Road, Singapore 119963. Tel: 3757794/5 ==================================================================== EMBARGO INSTRUCTIONS The attached press release/speech is EMBARGOED UNTIL AFTER DELIVERY. Please check against delivery. For assistance call 3757795 ==================================================================== SPRInter 3.0, Singapore's Press Releases on the Internet, is located at: http://www.gov.sg/sprinter/ ==================================================================== Embargoed Until After Delivery Please Check Against Delivery SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER GOH CHOK TONG AT THE 13TH ASIAN GAMES APPRECIATION AND AWARD PRESENTATION DINNER AT THE WESTIN STAMFORD ON TUESDAY, 12 JANUARY 1999 AT 8:00 P.M. My wife and I are happy to join you tonight to celebrate Singapore’s achievement at the 13th Asian Games held in Bangkok. 2 1998 was a difficult year for Singapore. The regional economic crisis slowed down our growth considerably. But stout-hearted Singaporeans like our athletes at the Asian Games in Bangkok had helped to lift the spirit of their fellow citizens. Far-sighted Singapore companies had also continued to support various sports and outdoor adventures. From this, I am convinced that our nation–building process is progressing well. 3 Five years ago, at a similar function for the 17th SEA Games held in Singapore, I issued a challenge to all our athletes. I called on them to outperform themselves and emulate Tan Howe Liang’s silver medal performance in weightlifting at the 1960 Rome Olympics, and Ang Peng Siong’s swimming victory in the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games. I then said, “We can do it again. It is now time to set our sights on future championships.” 4 Well, I am glad that several of our athletes have done exactly that. Page 1 gct19990112m They won 14 medals comprising two gold, three silver and nine bronze at the Bangkok Asian Games. This was our best showing since the 1st Asian Games held 47 years ago. It earned us a ranking of 17 out of 41 participating countries in the medal tally. This is not bad for a country of only three million people. 5 We owe our good performance to all our athletes, coaches and officials. Through sheer sacrifice, commitment and hard work, they have brought pride and glory to Singapore. Special mention must go to parents, teachers, principals, employers, the National Sports Associations, Singapore National Olympic Council, Singapore Sports Council, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Defence. The athletes’ success would not have been possible without their support and faith. 6 Our achievement in the Asian Games in Bangkok has capped a very good year for Singapore in sports and outdoor adventures. For example, in May 1998, a Singapore team successfully scaled Mount Everest and in September 1998, the Singapore Lions won the football Tiger Cup in Vietnam. 7 However, we cannot rest on our laurels. These successes mean that we have to work harder now to stay ahead. The competition and demand will become tougher. As a little nation, we cannot hope to do well in all sports. We should continue to focus on a number of core and merit sports which gives us the best chance of winning. Looking at the medals we won at the Bangkok Asian Games, they came from a good spread of seven sports – sailing, bowling, billiards and snooker, sepak tekraw, wushu, shooting and squash. These are games which require skills, concentration and precision instead of height, weight and great physical strength. These are sports where Singapore can build a name for itself. To these sports I would like to add swimming and badminton. We may not succeed in swimming in the Olympics and the Asian Games, but we should stay on top in the SEA Games. As for badminton, I would like to see our shuttlers taking on the best in the world. Certainly, we should aim to do well in the Thomas Cup. Our chances of winning the Thomas Cup are better than making it to the World Cup finals in football. 8 When we launched the Sports Excellence or SPEX 2000 programme five years ago, the aim was to focus on those sports which Singapore could do well. We allocated significant resources to train talented young men and women in their chosen sports. We would like them to excel and win for Singapore. Our good performance in Bangkok suggests that SPEX 2000 is on the right track and yielding the right fruits. 9 Beyond sports excellence, I would like a Singapore that works smart and plays well. Singaporeans should develop a passion for sports to complement their strong drive to succeed in their career. Most Singaporeans should play at least one sport for enjoyment and character building. 10 A good sportsman is a healthy, happy person. He develops the mental strength and the confidence to face adversity and to stay focused despite distraction. Such qualities will stand Singapore in good stead, for example, in overcoming the present difficult political and economic environment in the region. Page 2 gct19990112m 11 In conclusion, I want to encourage those who did not win any medal at the Bangkok Asian Games. I know some of you had performed your personal bests in Bangkok. The exposure and experience will add to your on-going preparation for other international competitions. The fruit of your labour is not ripe yet. But when it is ripe, the fruit will be very sweet indeed. So, nurture it and stay committed to your training schedules. 12 To all of you, athletes, coaches, officials and family members, I thank you for keeping the Singapore flag flying high. For the medal winners, my congratulations once again. Page 3.

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