CDM Low upbeat over Commonwealth Games prospects

SINGAPORE - The Republic's athletes recorded their best performance in the Commonwealth competition at the 2010 Delhi Games, when 68 athletes bagged 11 gold, 11 silver and nine bronze medals in the Indian capital.

The 20th Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to Aug 3, while the Asian Games is scheduled to take place in Incheon, South Korea from Sept 19 to Oct 4.

Low, who was unveiled as chef de mission (CDM) at the National Sailing Centre, yesterday, feels the momentum from Team Singapore's performance two years ago will drive the country's elite athletes to do even better next year.

"The momentum is there and we want to work towards a better performance," said Low.

"I don't think the Games will be overshadowed by next year's Asian Games (in South Korea)."

Low was also Singapore's CDM at the 2007 SEA Games and 2010 Asian Games.

In 2010, athletes like swim star Tao Li chose to compete in the Asian Games instead of the Commonwealth Games.

After the Olympics, the Asiad is usually the second biggest priority for Singapore athletes, but Low, 68, said: "In 2010, we had the Asian Games in Guangzhou, but our athletes still took the Commonwealth Games seriously.

"It's still early days to (set a medal target), but the prospects look good when you think of (swimmers) Joseph Schooling, Tao Li, the shooters, and the table tennis teams."

Meanwhile, the Queen's Baton Relay - a tradition held prior to a Commonwealth Games - commenced yesterday at the Sailing Centre, with Low handing over the baton to rollerblader Melissa Leow.

The baton will travel across Singa-pore before reaching Queenstown Stadium at 5.45pm tomorrow for public viewing. The Baton Relay was launched on Oct 9 at Buckingham Palace in London.

It will travel across 71 countries over 248 days before reaching Glasgow.

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