Champions Behind the Scenes - Hong Zhen

The Pursuit of Greatness: From Hockey to the Olympics

Hong Zhen posed at the Olympics with his Golden Whistle, which he received in 2020 after officiating his 100th international match.

The 39-year-old former national hockey player doesn't dedicate his time for fame or money; he simply loves the sport. Lim Hong Zhen’s passion for hockey and sports has taken him all over to most of the world’s major sporting events, most recently the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Trading rackets for sticks

Hong Zhen credits his athleticism to his sporty parents. His mother was a track and field athlete in school, and his father regularly played badminton during his youth in Malaysia. Among all the sports he was exposed to from a young age, Hong Zhen decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and pursue badminton in school. 

It wasn't until his PE teacher invited him to try hockey in secondary school that Hong Zhen discovered his love for the sport. The rest is history.

First encounter with the whistle

Hong Zhen (bottom right) and the U21 Team

Hong Zhen eventually found himself playing for Singapore U21. However, an unfortunate accident on a school trip left him with a broken arm and unable to play for 3 months. But even injury couldn’t keep Hong Zhen away. 

Bored at home, Hong Zhen returned to national training sessions after just one month to pick up balls and stay fit. During a friendly match between the senior and junior teams, Hong Zhen’s coach surprised him by throwing him the whistle. That was his first taste of umpiring.

Beginning his umpiring career

Hong Zhen umpiring at a World Cup 2018 match

After realising he could participate in a match in a different way, Hong Zhen started seeking more umpiring opportunities on home ground. As his experience grew, he set his sights on overseas matches and consistently worked hard towards that goal. 

"I have always been confident in what I can offer to the officiating world. I’ve continuously improved myself through the competitions I have been appointed to. I’ve also worked hard behind the scenes to study how other umpires officiate their games, their management style, and even their positioning on the pitch to make the best possible decisions."

Spreading his wings and going international

It is this unwavering discipline and determination that eventually got Hong Zhen into the big leagues: the Asia Cup, Pro League, World Cup, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and ultimately the Olympics. In Rio 2016, Hong Zhen made history as the first Singaporean umpire at the Olympics since 1972. The Olympic committee would continue to invite him to officiate at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

Hong Zhen umpiring at a Rio 2016 Olympics match

Umpires need to be in peak physical condition for the Olympics - in the months leading up to the games, they are expected to follow a strict fitness regime issued by the International Sports Federations. However, this level of preparation is no different from how Hong Zhen typically trains for the games he is appointed to. 

“I take my fitness preparation for matches very seriously. I believe in turning up fit or fitter than the athletes, if possible, to perform at the highest level required. To me, it’s also how I respect the game, my colleagues and the teams who will be representing their countries. If they turn up fit and ready to go, the least I can do is to ensure I am just as, or even more ready to perform as well.

Hong Zhen posing with friends at the Arc de Triomphe during the Paris 2024 Olympics

Despite all the international accolades, Hong Zhen shares how one of the biggest gifts from his travels is becoming good friends with, and learning from, other international umpires.

“Each umpire whom I’ve met from around the world has brought something unique and special to the table. One special thing that we are all bonded by is the level of professionalism that we all bring as volunteer officials; We train on our own, after work, on weekends, and spend time away from our families for long periods to allow the world to witness a spectacular display of hockey!”

Passion as his driving force

After officiating in over 100 hockey matches, it is amazing how Hong Zhen has only ever umpired as a volunteer rather than professionally. For him, being able to contribute his expertise to the sport he loves is reward enough.

Hong Zhen posing with the rest of his SHF Men’s Hockey League 3 comprised of ex-national players, whom he plays with when not umpiring a match

“What makes my job more meaningful is being able to influence and serve as a role model for young umpires, who aspire to achieve more in the world of hockey technical officiating. I hope to inspire athletes at the crossroads of their career that they can still represent Singapore as a technical official, umpire or referee,” shared Hong Zhen.

Although the official retirement age for umpires is 47, Hong Zhen believes he still has much more to offer. He aims to showcase his skills beyond Paris 2024 and is hoping for the 2026 Asian Games. Hong Zhen wishes to stay in the game long enough to see Singapore’s hockey teams compete at the Olympic Games. He also aspires to one day become one of the “hockey overlords”: a technical delegate, tournament director or even an umpire’s manager.

“Hockey has given me too much; I will not trade it for the world.”