Ng Ser Miang still hungry to serve sport

SINGAPORE - Ng Ser Miang had a quiet dinner with his family following the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidential elections in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.

Barely 24 hours after his failed bid to succeed Belgian Jacques Rogge, Singapore's Ng told The New Paper on Wednesday that he wasn't disappointed with the result.

Indeed, he is raring to continue his work in sports.

Speaking to TNP last Wednesday night, the 64-year-old said: "I am feeling fine and am very grateful for my friends, colleagues, fellow Singaporeans, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong, who all had very kind comments and messages.

"In a race like this there's really no second spot; it's either you win or you lose. The dynamics of the day was such that I lost and Mr Bach won... so the thing to do now is to move on positively."

Thomas Bach took over as international sports most powerful man after a resounding victory in the second round of elections at the 125th IOC Session in the Argentinian capital.

Third

The German garnered 49 of 93 votes, followed by Richard Carrion of Puerto Rico (29), with Ng a distant third with just six votes.

Much of the pre-election talk was dominated by talk of the influence of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al- Sabah, the Kuwaiti who heads the Association of National Olympic Committees.

A key backer of Bach with huge influence in Asia and among the National Olympic Committees, the feeling was he would be able to deliver a large number of votes.

But Ng said: "There were rumours about the voting but I think those are not really useful because it was a secret ballot and one wouldn't know who voted for whom."

While Ng and Taiwan's Wu Ching-kuo both garnered only a handful of votes between them, the Singaporean is convinced the future of Asia in the world of sport is bright.

He said: "I do not think (the election result) has any implications on Asia. The dominance of Europe in the Olympic Movement is historical, as well as in the leadership among international sports federations and in their sporting performance.

"There is a process of evolution and I feel very positive about Asia. Asians are now taking up more positions in international sports leadership and our athletes' performances are picking up.

"I am sure in 20 to 30 years, it is possible to have an Asian be president of the IOC. Now is really the time to double our efforts to groom the next generation of young sports leaders from Asia, and I will do that in Singapore."

Ng will remain an ordinary IOC member, after he stepped down as IOC vice-president and executive board member on Tuesday following back-to-back four-year terms.

He said: "Already, colleagues have been asking me to push for agendas such as the youth strategy, which was in my manifesto.

"I will still be a very active member... I pledge my loyalty and total commitment to the movement because this is what I believe in."

Ng left Buenos Aires for Singapore on Wednesday.

After months of flying around the world for his campaign and to attend various IOC meetings and sports events, he will take a few days off before diving right back into work.

The Singapore National Olympic Council vicepresident said: "I will be happy to be home - to enjoy Singapore and my food; to meet friends, go sailing, play golf and go to the gym.

"But there is still plenty of work waiting for me in Singapore, so I will take a break for only a few days.

"Being home is already good rest in itself."

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