Singapore swim team search for new name

In a bid to foster togetherness and a common identity, the Singapore Swimming Association (SSA) announced last Saturday that the Republic's aquatics team would be collectively known as "The Red Lions".

Yesterday, the SSA said they will not use the tag.

The tag was meant to unite the five disciplines - diving, swimming, synchronised swimming, water polo and open water swimming - ahead of the 28th South-east Asia (SEA) Games, which Singapore will host from June 5 to 18.

However, the name is already used for the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) parachute team.

In a statement released by Mindef, a spokesman said: "We welcome SSA's decision not to use the name 'Red Lions'.

"Mindef/SAF supports our national athletes and looks forward to a strong showing by Team Singapore at the SEA Games."

Jose Raymond, SSA's vice-president for finance, said: "The Singapore Swimming Association recognises the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Parachute team as Singapore's Red Lions.

Moving forward, we will not use the name and will work with our athletes and stakeholders to continue the rallying call to have Singaporeans back our team for the SEA Games and beyond.

"Both the SAF Parachute team and the SSA national teams have a common goal, which is to bring honour and glory to Singapore... We are delighted that the Red Lions will support the Singapore aquatics team and Team Singapore for the SEA Games 2015.

It will be a major morale booster for our team in our #SwimWithUs campaign as we rally a nation behind Team Singapore."

The New Paper understands that the SSA is working with its athletes and relevant stakeholders to come up with a new name for the team.

This article was first published on March 19, 2015.
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