They breathe the spirit of the SEA Games

They breathe the spirit of the SEA Games

SINGAPORE - He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at age three, but Sheam Kanan has been in remission for the past 11 years.

He is now 23, and currently in National Service. Kanan (right) loves sport, and he loves to be involved in sport.

He is eager to volunteer to help, and will be the assistant venue workforce manager at the Singapore Indoor Stadium when the 2015 South-east Asia (SEA) Games is held here from June 5 to 16.

He will among a group of 10 managers who will oversee the logistical needs of a team of around 100 volunteers when the venue hosts the table tennis and badminton events.

Speaking to The New Paper at the Volunteer Appreciation Night at Universal Studios Singapore, Kanan said: "When I was younger and going through constant treatment for my leukaemia, I didn't feel good about myself.

"So I decided to pick up sports like football and table tennis and, eventually, I got interested in the events side of it all, so I decided to become a volunteer. It's a good opportunity to meet new people and, of course, stay active."

Kanan started volunteering in December 2013, when he signed up to be part of the Big Hand crew at the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore, urging the runners on along the route with high fives.

He was a volunteer at last year's National Day Parade and tennis' WTA Finals Singapore.

While Kanan represents the younger generation who make up the majority of the 17,000 volunteers, Tang Chun Tuck is at the other end of the spectrum.

The 62-year-old retiree, who will be a media relations officer, volunteered at the first two Games which Singapore hosted, the first in 1973 and then in 1983.

He was a "first aider" back then, but decided to shift to something new this time round.

"I felt that I should try something new such as liaising with the media during the Games.


This article was first published on Feb 25, 2015.
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