Singapore Sailing Federation: A Diverse and Growing Sport in Singapore

Singapore sailors Bertha Han and Anthony Kiong are set to make waves at the upcoming 2013 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Myanmar. Han, at just 15 years old, will be making her debut, while Kiong, aged 38, is returning to competition after a 15-year hiatus.

The duo represents the diversity and talent within Singapore’s sailing community, according to Singapore Sailing Federation (SSF) president Dr Benedict Tan. Tan believes that sailing will become a mainstream sport in the country in the near future, citing the growing interest and success of young sailors like Han.

Han, who recently won the Optimist World Championship, has her sights set on the 2020 Olympics and is motivated by her passion for the sport and her teammates. Kiong, a veteran sailor with multiple SEA Games gold medals, made a comeback to competitive sailing after feeling a void in his life without it.

Tan, a former SEA Games gold medallist himself, is working towards making sailing more accessible to all Singaporeans. He acknowledges the perception of sailing as an expensive sport but emphasizes that there are alternative avenues for those interested in taking up the sport.

With the SEA Games approaching, Han and Kiong are ready to showcase their skills and represent Singapore on the international stage. The duo’s dedication and passion for sailing serve as an inspiration to aspiring sailors in the country.

As Singapore continues to develop its sailing program, Tan remains optimistic about the future of the sport and hopes to see more Singaporeans embrace sailing as a recreational activity. The upcoming SEA Games will be a platform for Han, Kiong, and other Singaporean sailors to shine and demonstrate the country’s growing presence in the sailing world.