A tentative list of 840 athletes has been formed to represent Singapore in the upcoming South-East Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur which is scheduled to start from August 15. These athletes have met the mark set by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) to represent Singapore. However, this number is expected to be trimmed when National Sports Association (NSA) confirms the participating athletes.
Chris Chan, Secretary-General of the SNOC, said, “We are pleased that 840 athletes in 34 sports have qualified to represent Singapore at the upcoming SEA Games. Sports like cricket, ice hockey and ice skating will feature for the first time at the SEA Games and our athletes in these sports have all made the mark on their first try.”
He added, “We are looking forward to more athletes and sports added to the contingent list as some are still on their way to qualify. In the meantime, we wish all athletes and NSAs preparing for the SEA Games all the best and hope they will be in their top form to represent Singapore in August.”
The SNOC Selection Committee, chaired by Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister for Social and Family Development and president of the SNOC, met recently to consider the nominations put forward by the national sports associations and decide on the athletes who have made the first cut to compete at the Games.
Issuing a press statement, SNOC said, “The Committee selected 840 athletes from 34 sports at the meeting. Athletes who have yet to meet the qualifying mark have till mid-June to meet the selection criteria of a third place finish at the Southeast Asia level. Appeals will be considered by the SNOC on June 15, 2017.”
The 29th SEA Games will take place in Kuala Lumpur from August 15 to 30. There will be 405 events competed in 38 sports.
At the last SEA Games held in Singapore in 2015, Team Singapore athletes won a record medal haul of 84 gold, 73 silver and 102 bronze medals. The 2015 contingent of 747 athletes was the biggest ever team representing Singapore at a major Games.