Victory for Team Singapore!

SINGAPORE – Major news from the sports scene as the national Under-22 football team, known as the Young Lions, and renowned marathon champion Soh Rui Yong have triumphed in their appeals, securing their spots in Team Singapore for the highly anticipated SEA Games in Thailand from December 9 to 20.

Historic Contingent Size!

In an announcement made by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), the appeals committee convened on August 28 to review additional nominations from national sports associations. The outcome? An impressive 218 athletes across 29 sports have been granted approval, boosting Team Singapore’s total representation to a staggering 980 athletes—marking the largest contingent in SEA Games history!

Soh Rui Yong: A Comeback Story!

Despite clocking an impressive time of 2:27:49 at the Houston Marathon earlier this year—well below the qualifying mark of 2:35:49—Soh initially found himself excluded from the original line-up announced on August 6. The SNOC cited concerns over not only performance but also adherence to the expected values of Singaporean representatives.

Having previously snatched gold at the SEA Games in 2015 and 2017, Soh faced exclusion from the 2019 and 2022 editions, alongside the 2018 Asian Games, due to persistent conflicts with the SNOC.

Fortunately, a change in tone ensued after the appeals committee received reassurance from Singapore Athletics regarding Soh’s commitment to representing the nation honorably. Now, he has been nominated for the marathon, 10,000m, and 5,000m events, positioning him among five contenders for the marathon!

Young Lions Make Their Mark!

In a similar battle, the Young Lions were initially left out due to a lack of international accomplishments meeting the SNOC’s strict qualifying criteria. However, friendly matches, including a 1-0 victory against Malaysia and a solid draw with the Philippines, bolstered their appeal and showcased their readiness, leading to their reinstatement.

This marks a critical moment for the Young Lions, as missing the SEA Games would have meant they would be the first Singaporean men's team to do so since 1969!

What's Next?

In the lead-up to their SEA Games participation, the U-22 squad will sharpen their skills during the U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers from September 3 to 9, facing tough competition against Vietnam, Yemen, and Bangladesh.

A Rally of Sports!

In addition to these thrilling comebacks, several other athletes, including teams from silat, muay thai, kabaddi, and more, have received favorable rulings in the latest selection round. Notably, Singapore’s national polo and handball teams also secured their places, while woodball will debut at the Games, introducing a unique sport reminiscent of golf!

With excitement building, all eyes will be on Team Singapore as they prepare to make historic strides at the SEA Games!