ISSUE 04 . 2017 WHAT’S INSIDE
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ACTIVESG ATHLETICS CLUB Fun yet challenging training programmes to improve your child’s health and fitness
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WHAT’S TRENDING
A round up of sports news around the world
Athletics for Life
M
r C. Kunalan is undoubtedly a Singapore sports legend. He held the national record for the 100m sprint (10.38s, clocked at the 1968 Mexico Games) for 33 long years, won numerous medals for Singapore at the Asian Games as well as Southeast Asian Peninsular Games and beyond the tracks, he has held many top positions in sports administration. Even today, at 74 years old, Mr Kunalan is still contributing greatly in his role as the Senior Manager (Strategic Development and Marketing Group) at Sport Singapore.
next time and let’s do something together.’ It has always been our objective to get people to be more active.”
Recently, he lent his time and leadership to the ActiveSG Athletics Club as its ambassador. He is more than just a figurehead for the Club. Mr Kunalan also works conscientiously with the coaches to develop the club’s various programmes. But out of everything, he enjoys interacting with members and getting more people to take up athletics the most.
And if you need more reasons to join the club, Mr Kunalan said that athletics form the foundation of almost every sport. He said: “You’ll learn fundamental running, jumping and throwing skills, all, in a very fun and engaging way.”
“I hope that we can get the entire family to join the ActiveSG Athletics Club,” he explained. “Whenever I meet the parents at the sessions, I’d tell them more about club and encourage them to hang around. I told them, ‘bring your shoes
And it’s not just about the health benefits, he said. Staying active and competing in sports impart invaluable life skills and values. “Sports gave me a winning mindset. It also taught me resilience, honour and team work. These are also values that we want to inculcate into every participant at the ActiveSG Athletics Club.”
Evident by the fact that Mr Kunalan only picked up competitive running when he was 20 years old and went on to be one of Singapore’s greatest sportsman, age is just a number in athletics.
The ActiveSG Athletics Club is open to people of all ages and abilities. Sign up at www.myactivesg.com/academy/athletics.
Please contact ActiveSGAthleticsClub@sport.gov.sg for enquires on interest to attend sessions for the athletic disciplines at any one of the training venues.
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THE LINE-UP Nutritional benefits with healthier ingredients
ACTIVESG SECTOR 2 EDITORIAL
Dennard Lee | Tel: 6342 5407
CONTENTS AND PROGRAMME Cindy Chua | Tel: 6342 5499
PARTNERSHIP AND OUTREACH Gilbert Tay | Tel: 6342 5411
PUBLISHING AGENCY
Bold Ink Magazines Pte Ltd 201A Thomson Road Singapore 307637 Tel: 6223 4258 www.boldink.com.sg
ActiveSG Live Better Through Sport is a quarterly newsletter published on behalf of Sport Singapore by Bold Ink Magazines Pte Ltd. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced in any form or by means without the written permission of the Publisher. The views and opinions expressed or implied are those of the authors or contributors and do not necessary reflect those of the authors of the Publishers and Sport Singapore. All information is correct at time of print.
02 THE SPORTS ACADEMY
ACTIVESG ATHLETICS CLUB
T
he ActiveSG Athletics Club has fun yet challenging training programmes to improve your child’s health, fitness, coordination and overall movement skills such as running, jumping and throwing.
Luis Cunha
Katrina Hall-Engle
Melvin Tan
Steven Quek
Beyond sporting values, the holistic programme will also focus on developing your child’s character and inculcate life values such as perseverance, teamwork and integrity.
The Superheroes at ActiveSG Athletics Club The Leader “It is a great honour to be trusted to lead the ActiveSG Athletics Club and I’m relishing the opportunity to use my personal and professional experience to encourage all Singaporeans to get started or to continue in Athletics, one of the primary sports.” Luis Cunha is the principal of the ActiveSG Atheltics Club. He designs the programmes and works closely with the club’s head coaches to ensure that the programmes are delivered effectively. Cunha was the Head coach of Singapore Athletics. He helped Singapore’s national relays teams and hurdler Dipna Lim Prasad win various medals and break multiple national records. He was also responsible for the Apprentice Coach Program – a mentorship program for Singaporean coaches. Luis was a three-time Olympian for Portugal and the head
coach for his country’s athletics team. He taught IAAF coaching courses and is responsible for the athletics syllabus at the Technical University of Lisbon.
The Incubator “It is more important for the child to have fun during the sessions and help them develop a habit of exercising regularly and staying healthy.” Katrina Hall-Engle helms the Kids programme for children aged six to twelve years old. Katrina was a coach at FWCC (Fabian Williams Coaching Concepts), where she worked with youth athletes including the school teams at St Joseph Institution and the United World of College for Southeast Asia. Prior to that, she was the track and field coach at the Singapore
Sports School. Katrina holds a doctorate in Education with a speciality in Character Education and worked as a school principal at a welfare school.
The Speedster “My desire is for athletics to thrive in Singapore whereby an average athlete can train and compete on a regular basis while the talented will be nurtured further for national representation.” Melvin Tan is the Head Coach (sprints) at the ActiveSG Athletics Club. Throughout his 16-year career, he has achieved great success with many schools and nurtured many sprint stars. During his tenure with the National Team, he coached the 4x100m men’s relay team to silver medals in SEA Games 2011 and 2013, as well as two new national records. He guided Gary Yeo to a silver medal at the SEA Games 2011 and gold at the Asean University Games 2012. Melvin places emphasis on the character and holistic development, which goes a long way in helping his athletes perform at their optimum levels.
The Resolute Force “This is an excellent opportunity
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to work with our youth not only in the technical aspects of track and field, but also a platform to guide them on the fundamental values and life skills that are so important in both long term sports development and life in general.” Steven Quek is the Head Coach (Distance Running) at the ActiveSG Athletics Club. He brings a wealth of experience, having started coaching since 1986. Steven is known for emphasising the fundamentals in the formative years of his studentathletes’ development. His immense expertise was called upon by Singapore Athletics last year, when he was appointed to prepare Neo Jieshi for the marathon at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Steven shares his knowledge of sports and fitness through public lectures and publications such as “Excel in Sports and Studies - You Can Do It”, “The EW Barker Institute of Sports Student-Athlete’s Handbook” and “Physical Education for Upper Secondary”.
03 SCENE & HEARD
ARTY PARK
A
rt in Construction brought the arts into the heartlands! In November last year, the car park at Bedok Sports Centre was transformed into artsy event space. People from all walks of life took part in interactive activities and caught some top-notch performances from local acts. Highlights include the 3D Zoetrope Arduino Workshop that got people to create a zoetrope (a form of motion picture projector) animation from drawings or 3D sculptures. There was also the Giant Kampong Games, where people played blown up versions of Snakes and Ladders and Pick Up Sticks. Art installations like the Amazeswing by LOPELAB engaged the public through design and aesthetics, while performances by Ian de Cotta, LGF Band, MOTUS and The Rock Warriors entertained the crowd. Apart from grooving to the music, the people at the event also moved their bodies at the U-Jam Fitness Mass Dance. The high energy dance, with urban and hip hop flavours, gave everyone a fun and engaging workout.
A SMASHING TOURNAMENT
O
ur Tampines Hub (OTH) hosted some of the region’s best badminton players in late November last year. It was the venue of the OUE Youth International Series, a regional and annual tournament organised by the Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) and sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). This tournament involved 500 participants from 13 countries and it was held in the heartlands of Singapore for the first time in 2016 to make it more accessible to local communities. Home ground advantage certainly played a part, as Singapore shuttlers won three age-group titles. There was also a special clinic that was conducted by Singapore’s Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Derek Wong. About 90 avid players signed up for the clinic. Said Lai Chin Kwang, Chief of ActiveSG: “This is part of our whole master plan, to bring sports closer to the communities, not just to engage them, but for them to participate and also watch the sport.”
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04 WHAT’S TRENDING
A sneak into the latest sports & fitness news!
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Year 2016 belonged to Cristiano Ronaldo. He won the Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup with Real Madrid as well as the European Championships with Portugal. Individually, he won the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, Top Scorer in the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup Best Player and the Ballon d’Or.
Sheik Farhan was crowned the Class J world champion at the 17th World Pencak Silat Championships. Overall, it was a successful tournament for Team Singapore. The team won two golds, one silver and eight bronzes.
It was yet another win for Mok Ying Ren at the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore. He was the fastest local male finisher in 2016, crossing the finishing line in 2:41:03. It was his fourth SCMS title in a row and his seventh overall.
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Everyone’s expecting top seed Angelique Kerber to win the 2016 BNP Paribas WTA Finals presented by SC Global, but Dominika Cibulkova re-wrote the script and overcame her German opponent 6-3 6-4 in the finals.
Lam Chih Bing, one of Singapore’s most renowned golfers, has decided to call it a day. He is now embarking on a career as a derivative trader. Chih Bing’s highlight as a professional golfer was undoubtedly winning US$750,000 Volvo Masters of Asia in 2008.
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The Singapore Slingers are currently soaring on the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), punctuated with a win over the previously undefeated Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions. Xavier Alexander contributed greatly with 17 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and one block and for his efforts, the ABL awarded him the Player of the Week in December 2016.
05 SCHEDULE
ACTIVESG 2017 PROGRAMME SCHEDULE PROGRAMME
VENUE Sengkang Sports Centre
Abs, Buns & Thighs Tampines Sports Centre
Aerobics Toning
Sengkang Sports Centre Ang Mo Kio Swimming Complex
DATE 13, 16 Feb
$70
17 Feb
$59
21 Feb (off peak)
$59
21 Feb
$70
27 Feb
$59
8 Mar
$70
13 Feb 20, 29 Mar
Geylang East Swimming Complex Hougang Sports Centre
Aqua Aerobics
Pasir Ris Sports Centre
7 Feb 1, 8 Mar
Tampines Sports Centre
12
12
$59 $70 $59 $70
10 Mar - 2 Jun 16, 17 Mar 20 Mar 3 Feb
Sengkang Sports Centre
SESSIONS
20 Feb 7 Feb
Bishan Sports Centre
FEE
$59 $70
10 Feb
$59
15 Feb
$70
17, 28 Feb, 1, 3, 7, 14 Mar
$59
28 Feb, 14 Mar
$70
9 Jan, 1 Feb (off peak)
$59
1, 3 Feb (2 Sessions)
$70
12
17 Feb - 5 May
$59
Aqua Spinning
Sengkang Sports Centre
8, 17 Feb, 8, 17 Mar
$100
4
Aqua Tabata
Tampines Sports Centre
6 Feb
$59
12
$96
8
$91
12
$44
4
$44
4
Aqua Zumba Ashtanga Yoga Badminton (adult)
Badminton (child)
Bishan Sports Centre
17 Mar
Tampines Sports Centre
7 Feb
Bishan Sports Centre
25 Mar
Tampines Sports Centre
28 Feb
Bishan Sports Centre
13, 15, 16, 28 Feb
Sengkang Sports Centre
5, 16 Feb, 5, 16 Mar
Bishan Sports Centre
11 Feb
Hougang Sports Centre
20 Feb, 20 Mar
Pasir Ris Sports Centre
2, 10 Feb, 2, 10, 30 Mar
Sengkang Sports Centre
10, 12 Feb (2 sessions), 10 Mar
Basketball (3-6 years old)
Pasir Ris Sports Centre
11 Feb, 15 Apr
$95
5
Basketball (7-12 years old)
Pasir Ris Sports Centre
11 Feb, 18 Mar
$95
5
2 Feb
$70
Body Sculpt
Boogie Bounce Xtreme (BBX)
Bokwa Boogie Sport CardioBox Cardiomix Football CUBS Gentle Yoga
10 Feb
$59
11 Feb
$70
21 Feb, 2 Mar
$59
Pasir Ris Sports Centre
5 Feb, 18 Mar
$70
Bishan Sports Centre
17 Feb - 7 Apr
Hougang Sports Centre
11, 26 Feb, 7, 11 Mar
Tampines Sports Centre
2 Feb
Hougang Sports Centre
$144
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$96
8 8
Pasir Ris Sports Centre
2 Mar
Sengkang Sports Centre
8 Feb
Pasir Ris Sports Centre
4 Mar
$96
22 Mar
$91
Hougang Sports Centre
12
31 Mar
$75
Pasir Ris Sports Centre
22 Jan
$91
Pasir Ris Sports Centre
23 Feb
$75
12
Serangoon Sports Centre
4 Feb, 4 Mar
$25
4
Bishan Sports Centre
6 Feb
Sengkang Sports Centre
13 Feb
$75
12
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06 SCHEDULE
ACTIVESG 2017 PROGRAMME SCHEDULE PROGRAMME
VENUE
Junior Athletics
Kickbox
Ang Mo Kio Swimming Complex
22 Feb
$91
7 Feb (level 2)
$75
13 Feb
$75
11 Feb, 11, 16 Mar
Hougang Sports Centre
12 Feb , 11 Mar
Pasir Ris Sports Centre
19 Mar (beginner)
Sengkang Sports Centre
12 Feb (beginner)
Sengkang Sports Centre
25 Mar
$95
Bishan Sports Centre
11 Feb
$70
Hougang Sports Centre
Masala Bhangra
5, 11, 14, 23, 20 Mar
$70 $70
16 Mar
$59
11, 12, 14 Mar
Hougang Sports Centre
10 Feb
Pasir Ris Sports Centre
21 Jan , 11 Feb, 13 Feb
Sengkang Sports Centre
5, 24 Jan, 2, 21 Mar
Tampines Sports Centre
5, 7 Feb
Pasir Ris Sports Centre
2 Mar
Tampines Sports Centre
15 Feb
Bishan Sports Centre
4, 25 Feb
Sengkang Sports Centre Tampines Sports Centre
$95
27 Mar (off peak) 3 Feb 25 Feb, 7, 25, 30 Mar
Bishan Sports Centre
4, 13 Mar
Geylang East Swimming Complex
10 Mar
Hougang Sports Centre
7, 19, 27 Mar
Pasir Ris Sports Centre
3, 17, 23 Feb, 12 Mar
Sengkang Sports Centre
3, 19 Feb, 10, 31 Mar
Tampines Sports Centre
3, 23 Feb
Power Yoga
Hougang Sports Centre
Salsation
Tampines Sports Centre
Piloxing®
Bishan Sports Centre Hougang Sports Centre Pasir Ris Sports Centre
Step Aerobics
Zumba® Fitness
Zumba Toning
12
$118
$95 $118
7 Feb - 25 Apr
$75
12
17 Feb
$96
8
14 Feb
$70
16 Feb
$59
22 Mar
$70
18 Mar
$70
21 Feb (off peak)
$59
21 Feb
$70
Bishan Sports Centre
25 Mar 8 Feb, 5 Mar
Sengkang Sports Centre
11 Feb
12
8 $48
12
1, 9, 14, 16, 19, 22 Feb 1, 2, 11, 12, 13 Mar
Geylang East Swimming Complex
27 Mar
Hougang Sports Centre
12 Jan, 4, 14, 15, 19, 20 Feb, 9 Mar
Pasir Ris Sports Centre
$95
8
Hougang Sports Centre
Bedok Sports Centre
$118
$96
19 Feb Tampines Sports Centre
$118
22 Mar
24 Mar
12
8
$95
5 Feb
10
$96
$118
3 Feb
12
8
20 Feb
25 Jan Pasir Ris Sports Centre
8
$96
1, 10 Feb
29 Mar
Pilates
$91
7 Feb
Bishan Sports Centre
Hougang Sports Centre
SESSIONS
19 Mar
Geylang East Swimming Complex
Sengkang Sports Centre
KpopX Fitness
FEE
Bedok Sports Centre Bishan Sports Centre
Hatha Yoga
DATE
6, 14, 16, 17, 25, 26, 28 Feb 1, 3 Mar (2 sessions), 4, 9, 14, 25 Mar
Sengkang Sports Centre
7 Mar, 11 Mar (3 sessions), 12 Mar
Tampines Sports Centre
3, 8, 19 Feb
Pasir Ris Sports Centre
5 Mar - 23 Apr
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$96
8
$75
12
$96
8
07 THE LINE UP
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE YUMMY Foods, beverages and desserts that are deemed unhealthy and indulgent actually do have nutritional benefits – if taken in moderation or if made with healthier ingredients. THE KEY IS CONTROL The good news, however, is that a dish cannot be all bad, there must be some good in there somewhere. If you tease apart each dish and focus on each ingredient, you can be sure to find some nutritional benefits in some of the ingredients. With all dishes, you are able to modify the recipe to a healthier version without sacrificing too much on taste. Let’s have a closer look at some of these foods:
Text Jaclyn Reutens
I
f a dish is delicious and tasty, it must be unhealthy.’ True or false? False! Healthier foods can be tasty, extremely tasty even. Truth be told, fattier foods with more salt and seasonings
do more for your palate and unfortunately for your waistline too. So the challenge is to find that balance where you can enjoy these sinful foods without moving the belt buckle up a notch.
Traditional Fried Rice
Sugary drinks do have a role in a runner’s diet but they have to be carefully included. Cordials and sweetened drinks give a quick boost to energy levels but the quantity must be considered to prevent a stomach upset.
can be revamped by simply using brown rice and adding in more vegetables. This easily doubles the fibre content and potassium while lowering the glycemic index which sustains energy longer.
Hokkien Mee is usually cooked with lard, and fatty bits of pork are seen through the noodle strands. After modifying the recipe to using lean pork, oil spray instead of lard and less seasonings, the dish lowers its calorie content and sodium by almost half. It then becomes a nutritious one dish meal that also provides vitamin B, zinc, phosphrous and iron.
MAKE GOOD OUT OF BAD Eating the entire plate of char kway teow at the hawker stall gives you loads of energy of which a substantial amount comes from fat, mainly saturated fat which we know is bad. However, it also provides carbohydrates, some protein and small amounts of fibre. The hidden nutrition benefit in this dish is actually the cockles! It provides a good source of iron and protein. Even so, cockles still cannot negate the amount of fat in that dish.
A burger with the works using the fattiest meat, greasy bacon, heavy mayo, added cheese on a buttered bun sings out for a heart bypass if you eat it often enough. Make it at home and you can enjoy a healthy burger that is low in fat and high in fibre and still be very tasty!
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08 FUN FOR ALL
ActiveSG INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY Here’s what you need to do to win an ActiveSG premium! 1. Head down to two Sport Centres 2. Snap photos of you having fun, one at each Sport Centre 3. Upload the two photos onto Instagram and hashtag it accordingly (see the list below). 4.
LETTER OF APPRECIATION
W
e would like to congratulate Mr Han, Centre Manager of Seng Kang Sports Centre, and his team.
Seng Kang Sports Centre was chosen to be the Centre of Expertise for Disability Sports. The centre has existing facilities for people with disabilities, but they aren’t adequate to accommodate the larger crowd during events. As such, many challenges such as the lack of disabled-friendly toilets came up. But, Mr Han and his team kept everything under control and dealt with the problems professionally. Thanks to Mr Han’s leadership and his team’s dedication, the ActiveSG Yes! I Can - Para Sport Programme was a great success. They went the extra mile by assisting us in any way that they can. They also made sure that the venue was always ready for any event or workshop. Mr Han and his team also listened actively to our concerns and needs. Whenever there was a problem, they would put on their thinking caps and help us solve them. In short, Sport Singapore is lucky to have the awesome team players at Seng Kang Sports Centre. I sincerely hope Sport Singapore will recognize the immense passion and effort put into their work. Do share their success with other centres and let them know that you are proud of them.
Show your uploads to a Guest Relations Officer at a participating Sport Centre and get a stamp. Redeem your ActiveSG premium after you get two stamps!
Here’s the list of participating Sport Centres and their respective hashtags: Kallang Sport Centre - #Fun@KallangSC 52 Stadium Road, Singapore 397724 Geylang East Swimming Complex - #Fun@GeylangEastSC 601 Aljunied Ave 1, Singapore 389862 Katong Swimming Complex - #Fun@KatongSC 111 Wilkinson Road, Singapore 436752 Kallang Basin Swimming Complex - #Fun@KallangBasinSC 23 Geylang Bahru Lane, Singapore 339628 Bedok Sport Centre - #Fun@BedokSC 5 Bedok North Street 2 Singapore 469645 Tampines Sport Centre - #Fun@TampinesSC 505 Tampines Avenue 5 Singapore 529652 Pasir Ris Sport Centre - #Fun@PasirRisSC 120 Pasir Ris Central Singapore 519640 Sengkang Sport Centre - #Fun@SengkangSC 57 Anchorvale Road Singapore 544964 Hougang Sport Centre - #Fun@HougangSC 93 Hougang Avenue 4 Singapore 538832 Serangoon Sport Centre - #Fun@SerangoonSC 35A Yio Chu Kang Road Singapore 545552 Burghley Squash and Tennis Centre - #Fun@BurghleySC 43 Burghley Drive Singapore 559020
Once again thank you for making Seng Kang Sports Centre accessible and friendly for the community with special needs.
Bishan Sport Centre - #Fun@BishanSC 5 Bishan Street 4 Singapore 579783
Thank you.
Ang Mo Kio Swimming Complex - #Fun@AngMoKioSC 1771 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 Singapore 569978
Yours Sincerely, Mr. Danny Ong
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