4 taekwondo players received their SPEX Study Grant on 8 October 2005 at the National Stadium Theatrette.

The grant was given annually by the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) to outstanding student athletes who have received good results in sports while studying.

While Lanetar Quek Yu (Junior College), Cornelyus Ng Jian Hui (Junior College) and Dawn Ang Kai Ying (Polytechnic) received their awards from Mr.Wayde Clews, SSC Chief (High Performance Group), Fong Yee Min (Part-time Diploma/Degree) collected hers from the Guest-of-Honour, Mr. Oon Jin Teck, SSC Chief Executive Officer.

All the recipients were grateful for their grants.

Said Dawn: “I would like to thank the SCC for the grant. It helps sustain my interest in the sport.”

Lanetar thanked the SSC for the grant and said that it was helpful in supporting her financially while she worked hard to achieve her ambition.

In addition to showing her appreciation to the SSC and the STF, Yee Min said: “ I owe my achievements to my coaches.”

Cornelyus found the grant beneficial to his pursuit of both his studies and sport. He also registered his thanks to the coaches, the STF and the SSC.

Mr. RA Jeyaraman (2nd Vice President) and Mr. Tan Cheng Hui (Management Committee Member) from the STF witnessed the presentation and congratulated the recipients.

Vincent Chua Kheng Hui (Ngee Ann Polytechnic) and Low Chuan Kai (Singapore Polytechnic) were awarded the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) Scholarship 2005/2006 in September 2005.

They thanked the SSC and their respective institutions for the award and pledged to do their best in their studies and sport.

Both award recipients are national players.

The STF conducted its Annual General Meeting on 17 September 2005 at the National Training Centre.

Mr. Milan Kwee, the incumbent President, will continue to lead the Management team which comprises the following –

President                   Mr. Milan Kwee

1st Vice President      Mr. Steven Soh

2nd Vice-President    Mr. R.A. Jeyaraman

Hon Secretary           Ms Wong Liang Ming    

Asst Hon Secretary    Mr. Tan Kok Heng

Hon Treasurer           Ms. Ng Lee Noi

Asst Hon Treasurer    Mr. Lee Thiam Poh

Member                    Mr. Edmund Tan

Member                    Mr. Chow Pak Hoong

Member                    Mr. Lim Keng Leong

Member                    Mr. Ng Hwa Ann

Member                    Mr. Nordon Lim

Member                    Mr. Tan Beng Hua

Member                    Mr. Tan Cheng Hui

The Committee looks forward to the continued support of all members.

Dr. Tan Eng Liang, Chairman of the Special Training Assistance Committee and Vice-President of the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), visited the National Training Centre on 11 August 2005 to observe the training of the national squad.

Dr. Tan was accompanied by Jessie Phua, Singapore Bowling Federation President, and other officials from the SNOC and the Singapore Sports Council. Jessie is also a member of the selection committee which decides on the fate of the SEA Games nominees.

On their arrival, they were welcomed by Milan Kwee (President), RA Jeyaraman (2nd Vice President), Edmund Tan (Asst. Treasurer) and other STF officials.

The STF is confident that its coaches are aware of the importance of maintaining a high standard of coaching discipline. Nevertheless, it highlights some poor practices which coaches will do well to avoid.

They are as follows:

• Introducing sparring without briefing trainees on the rules of the game.
• Knocking trainees out during sparring session to save face.
• Making trainees perform more physical exercises than Taekwondo techniques and skills during regular training sessions
• Expecting trainees to perform techniques beyond their abilities.
• Frightening children by threat or shocking them.
• Punishing trainees by hitting them with a focuser, manhandling them and  embarrassing them.
• Criticising trainees in the presence of an audience.
• Calling trainees names like ‘Fatty’, ‘Shorty” and ‘Stupid’
• Identifying trainees by race – ‘that Malay boy’, ‘that Chinese boy’ and ‘that Indian boy’.
• Depriving trainees of toilet breaks or drink breaks.
• Disallowing trainees rest when they need to.
• Using obscene language or gesture.
• Touching trainees inappropriately.
• Engaging in inappropriate physical contact in front of the trainees.
• Smoking while coaching.
• Wearing attire unsuitable for coaching
• Leaving injured trainees in the lurch.
• Advising trainees to ignore seniors from other Clubs.
• Showing disrespect to seniors and elders including School Principals, Vice-Principals and other officials

For the best practices, coaches may refer to the “Effective Coach’ book which is available at the Secretariat at a special price of $20.00.