Business Community Boosts Team Singapore Sailors!

25 March 2022 – Home grown Singapore beverage company Yeo Hiap Seng (Yeo’s) and the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation (NTFCF) have stepped forward to support Singapore sports, with a generous donation to the Singapore Sailing Federation, as well as enter into a three-year sponsorship agreement for Maximilian Maeder to support his quest for sailing excellence.

2. Following discussions with MCCY, NTFCF will donate $75,000 directly to the Singapore Sailing Federation (SSF). In turn, the Government will match the value of this donation, dollar-for-dollar, through the One Team Singapore Fund (OTSF). In total, the SSF will receive $150,000, for the benefit of the sailing community in Singapore.

3.  In addition to the above, Yeo’s and NTFCF will also sign a three-year sponsorship agreement with 15-year-old Singapore kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder. In December 2021, Maximilian won the World Sailing Youth (Under-19) Championship. This partnership will provide Maximilian with support in areas such as his training, development, and equipment, as he sets his goal to represent Singapore at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

(Minister Edwin Tong signing on the Team Singapore Jersey. Photo Credit : MCCY)

4. Even though I spend my time largely overseas for trainings and competition, I feel a strong sense of national pride each time I represent Singapore. I am thankful to Yeo’s and NTFCF for their very generous sponsorship; this will certainly help myself as well as the development of other sailors. The all round support for athletes in Singapore has been tremendous, and I am very grateful to my parents, MCCY, and the Singapore Sport Institute, for their support throughout my sporting journey. I will strive to compete harder, achieve even more for Singapore, and do my best to serve as an inspiration to other young athletes,” said Max.

5.  Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law, said, “We are very grateful to Yeo’s and NTFCF. All round support for athletes is the best way to enhance our sporting ecosystem, supporting our athletes in their efforts to excel, do their best and win sporting glory for Singapore. The Government will continue to support our athletes, and enhance Singapore’s sport sector. I hope that more private organisations and individuals will be inspired by donors like Yeo’s and the NTFCF to step forward, and work with the Government to support our national athletes to maximise their potential and achieve their sporting aspirations.”

From L to R: Mr and Mrs Meader, Maximilian Maedar (Team Singapore Kitefoiler) Mr Edwin Tong (Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law). Photo Credit : MCCY

6. The donation to OTSF was created in 2017 to enable all supporters of Team Singapore to contribute towards strengthening the High Performance Sport system. It offers one-for-one matching grants from the Government for donations to support our Team Singapore athletes. Donations to OTSF provide national athletes with additional support to achieve, perform and compete at their best. Since the Fund’s inception, the Government has matched more than $15 million worth of donations from organisations, businesses, and members of the public. Earlier this month, the Government announced that the OTSF Matching Grant will be extended for five additional years until FY2026.

7.  Dr Lincoln Chee, President of the Singapore Sailing Federation, said, “The donation will be a significant boost to the Kitefoiling Community, and the funds will be helping the SSF scaffold the pathway and improve general access to this rising sport.”