“Last year’s winner, Yip Pin Xiu, tells a story of overcoming great adversity …” Oon Jin Teik on the Singapore Youth Award

Thus, at the very minimum, I am looking for an athlete or team that honours our ideals of fair play and good sportsmanship, who do not let even major setbacks derail their sports plans. I would like to see an athlete who is willing to take the time to mentor younger athletes by providing good guidance and support. I also would like to see an athlete who has a full life — someone who has balanced the demands of life with the demands of sports.

At the end of the Youth Olympic Games, Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, praised the competitors for learning what it means to be “a true champion, not simply a winner.” This sums up the SYA as well. We are looking for champions, more than winners.

How does SYA motivate and inspire the next generation to get more involved in community projects while performing in their respective fields?
Oon Jin Teik: The SYA recognise young people for their contributions to our greater community. The youth who are nominated for SYA don’t do good deeds or great work in the hope of winning awards; they do good deeds because they choose to live their lives with optimism.

This is important for Singapore — to nurture people who believe that life can be improved, that change can be made to benefit society. When I was CEO of SSC and met with youth, I always encouraged them to believe that they can make a difference in our lives. By recognising the youth who aspire to improve our world, SYA provides us all with a shot of motivation and inspiration.