289 youth athletes to receive SOF-Peter Lim Scholarship this year
SINGAPORE — SEA Games gold medallists Koen Pang and Xu Jing Feng were among 289 youth athletes who will receive the Singapore Olympic Foundation (SOF)-Peter Lim Scholarship this year.
In a media release on Wednesday (20 May), SOF said that there will not be a presentation ceremony for the scholarship recipients this year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The youth athletes will instead receive the scholarship cash awards via direct bank deposits, while the certificates will be sent to them after the COVID-19 circuit breaker measures are lifted.
A total of $825,000 will be awarded to the youth athletes representing 32 sports from 194 schools in the following categories: Primary (33 athletes), Secondary (82), JC/IP/Tertiary (121) and High Performance Under-18 (53).
$8 million awarded in 10 editions of scholarship
This year is the 10th edition of the SOF-Peter Lim Scholarship, since it was inaugurated in 2011 after Singapore tycoon Peter Lim donated an initial $10 million to the SOF to start the scholarship following the Republic’s hosting of the 2010 Youth Olympic Games.
In 2019, Lim renewed his commitment with another $10 million to further fund the scholarship from 2021 to 2030. His commitment is the single largest donation in Singapore from an individual towards sports development in Singapore.
Over the past decade, 2,930 scholarships amounting to $8 million have been awarded to athletes from 54 sports.
“Pursuing sports excellence is life changing – it gives inspiration and hope,” said SOF chairman Ng Ser Miang. “Over the past 10 years, Mr Lim's continued generosity has allowed many young Singapore athletes to pursue and excel in their sporting dreams. It stemmed from his simple wish that no young athlete be held back, or have unrealised potential because of financial difficulties.”
How the scholarship is to be used for
This year, athletes from road cycling, ice hockey, jiu-jitsu, softball and water polo will feature in the High Performance Under-18 category for the first time.
To qualify for the SOF-Peter Lim Scholarship, recipients have to meet a set of criteria, including posting consistent results in relevant sports competitions. The majority of the recipients come from financially-challenged backgrounds and have demonstrated a potential to excel in their respective sports.
Recipients can use their scholarships to pay for their competition expenses, buy sport equipment as well as to cover school-related expenses.
Jing Feng, 16, is a first-time recipient in the High Performance U-18 category, and a four-time recipient of the scholarship.
“Last year, the funds helped defray my competition fees and equipment expenses which were necessary for my SEA Games preparations,” said Jing Feng, who was part of the men’s short track speed skating team that won the 3,000m team gold in at the Manila SEA Games last year.
“This year, I’m planning to replace my skating boots which are coming apart after four-and-a-half years, and hope to use the scholarship funds to cover the replacement.”
SOF-Peter Lim Scholarship high performance U-18 recipients – Artistic Swimming: Hannah Chiang, Petra Chiang, Posh Soh, Ariel Sng, Royce Soh, Teo Mou Wen. Athletics: Brandon Norton, Elizabeth-Ann Tan. Badminton: Bernice Lim, Megan Lee, Howin Wong. Bowling: Quek Lu Yi, Arianne Tay, Xavier Teo. Canoeing: Daniella Barbara Lawther, Teo Zhan Rong. Cycling: Elizabeth Liau, Mas Ridzwan Mohamad Ali. Fencing: Simon Lee, Christine Tan. Gymnastics (Artistic): Robin Sim, Tamara Anika Ong. Gymnastics (Rhythmic): Leah Chew. Ice Hockey: Matthew Hamnett. Ice Skating: Pagiel Sng, Xu Jing Feng, Zen Koh. Jiu-jitsu: Noah Lim. Sailing: Jonathan Lio, Marsha Shahrin. Shooting: Natanya Tan, Teo Jia En. Softball: Mohammad Huzaifah Mohammad Noorham, Aloysius Ong, Bowie Tan. Sport Climbing: Luke Goh. Swimming: Ashley Lim, Elena Pedersen, Ong Jung Yi. Table Tennis: Goi Rui Xuan, Josh Chua, Koen Pang, Izaac Quek, Wong Xin Ru. Triathlon: Herlene Natasha Yu, Luke Chua. Water Polo: Goh Wen Zhe, Michelle Tan, Jayden See, Tang Yee Heng. Wushu: Caleb Ng, Jolie Goh, Nessya Koh.
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