A 'true performer' at SEA Games, Singapore should look to Asian, world stage: Top sports official

PHNOM PENH: Singapore has established itself as a "true performer" at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games level and now needs to set its sights on the Asian and world stage, said Singapore Sports Institute (SSI) chief Su Chun Wei on Tuesday (May 16).

"It is an ambition that we certainly have," Dr Su said at a press conference at the end of the 32nd SEA Games.

"The strength of our high performance system is based on a good plan and good process. My conviction is that ... Team Singapore believe that they can deliver and break through at (the) Asia and world level."

Team Singapore concluded their 18-day Games campaign with 51 gold, 43 silver and 64 bronze medals. Eight Games records were set, along with 17 national records and 40 personal best milestones.

On the overall medal table, Singapore finished in sixth place. Vietnam topped the ranking.

There were a number of strong Team Singapore showings, with sprint queen Shanti Pereira clocking the fastest time in Asia this year in the 200m (22.69s). Swimmer Jonathan Tan's 21.91s in the 50m freestyle was the second-fastest timing in Asia in 2023. He also met the Olympic "A" cut.

"My view is that we certainly have what it takes to break through at the Asian and world level. In fact, some of the sports have already broken through. It is now really (about) sustaining ourselves and the performance at those kinds of levels," Dr Su said.

"Fencing is a good example, they now believe that they can be a powerhouse in Southeast Asia, so the natural next question is the Asian (level), how do we want to go from there?"

Singapore's fencers clinched seven golds at this year's Games, surpassing their previous best of six golds recorded in Hanoi last year.

Team Singapore's SEA Games contingent had 259