2 minute read
Badminton Sub-Committee
Reported by: MR ALLAN KWEK Convenor
INTRODUCTION
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A year full of promises was thrown into disarray due to the pandemic and the Club had to temporarily close for more than two months during circuit breaker. Despite a slow start to our Section and Academy when the Club resumed operations, we chose to view the situation as an opportunity to grow and ended 2020 on a positive note.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR
2020 started with a bang in the Singapore Sports Hub National Open Championships 2020 (presented by Lianhe Zaobao). Sports member, Loh Kean Hean clinched the Men’s Doubles Open champion, while Andy Kwek took Runner-up position and joint 3rd place for mixed doubles. We then had our annual Badminton New Year Gathering on 31 January 2020 attended by over 40 Section members, where we gave out novelty awards and showed our appreciation to the supporters.
As the pandemic evolved and intensified, we had to curtail our remaining activities for the safety of our members. However, we continued to be active at home during the circuit breaker with practice drills provided by the coach for the Academy trainees and our Section taking part in the “Coffee Cup Challenge”.
Safety measures were in place as the Club resumed operations and we managed to resume Section and Academy training after just one week. Many were cautious about returning, which resulted in low attendance during the initial stage. As the situation improved and stabilized, more members and trainees returned to training. Towards the last two months of the year, the number swelled unprecedentedly, and we even had to restrict the numbers to maintain safe distancing management.
We ended the year with school holiday training camps held in December 2020 for over 70 trainees of all levels, dividing them into groups of five. More good news came with the announcement of Phase 3, but the maximum capacity remained at 50 pax within the Badminton Hall.
We are looking to build on the growing numbers in the Academy by providing more support for the coaches and the trainees to excel in the Sport. While traveling for overseas competition still seemed impossible in 2021, we will be planning more local activities and competitions within the guidelines of the safe distancing management.
I would like to thank Sportsmatch Marketing Pte Ltd for their sponsorship of our Academy and Section in the past four years, as well as the coming years. My deepest gratitude to Mr Albert Chua, who had put in much time and effort in the sponsorship negotiation to ensure a smooth transition into the new year. Last but not least, my heartfelt appreciation to the Management Committee, Sports & Games Committee, my fellow Sub-Committee members and the Badminton Section for your continuous support.
Badminton New Year Gathering CSC Badminton Academy Holiday Training Camp
