Hub staff donate time in Going for Gold initiative

Singapore Sports Hub staff have pledged to give one hour of community service for every gold medal won by a Team Singapore athlete during the 28th South-east Asia (SEA) Games and 8th Asean Para Games.

The Going for Gold community-driven initiative was unveiled on the Singapore Sports Hub's Facebook page yesterday.

In celebration of the first SEA Games at the Sports Hub, Going for Gold aims to give back to the community through sport, while drumming up public support for Team Singapore athletes during both competitions.

Singapore Sports Hub's chief operating officer Oon Jin Teik said: "In the same year Singapore celebrates its 50 years of independence, the Singapore Sports Hub commemorates its first birthday by hosting the prestigious SEA Games.

"For such an occasion, we want to personally donate our time to give back to the community by promoting national sporting glory."

The Going for Gold initiative will take place every two years in line with the biennial SEA Games and Asean Para Games.

The Sports Hub will work with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and South East Community Development Council to engage charities and neighbouring community partners respectively.

Sports Hub employees will facilitate, manage and run customised sports-related activities for visiting groups from social service organisations.

They will also travel to the charity's location and set up mobile sporting activities, if the organisation cannot get to the Sports Hub campus.

Former national swimmer Joscelin Yeo applauded the initiative, calling it "an intrinsic charitable approach to involve the community in sport and drive support for Team Singapore athletes, whilst building awareness for the SEA Games competition among Singaporeans".

The 36-year-old, who won 40 SEA Games gold medals in her career, added: "The SEA Games competition holds dear to my heart as I have experienced much success and built fond memories along the way.

"But none of this would have been possible without the support of the crowd behind me."