'Part of something bigger': Ex-national badminton player joins CNB to tackle drug abuse

Michelle Zan was only seven when she first picked up the racket and shuttlecock, beginning her journey as a badminton player.

Her efforts led her to become a national athlete, representing Singapore in countries across Asia and beyond.

Despite the glory that comes with representing our country, she hung up the racket last year.

"There were many highs and lows during my entire sporting journey that really shaped who I am today," the 19-year-old told AsiaOne on Tuesday (Aug 18).

"I wouldn't say that I had any expectation for fame or glory... I was there purely because I enjoyed playing the sport."

Now, Zan has set her sights on something completely different.

On Tuesday, Zan received the Singapore Government Scholarship at the Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) scholarship award ceremony, with hopes to pursue a career in the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).

"There are many fundamental differences between my role as a sporting athlete and as someone in the public service," she told us.

"Sporting doesn't necessarily directly impact the lives of people, whereas public service does, and I really hope to play a part in keeping drugs off the streets of Singapore."

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Zero tolerance towards drugs 

Her perspective on drugs isn't a casual afterthought, however.

The realisation hit her while she was in a different country for a badminton competition.

After a match in an undisclosed country in 2024, Zan and her friends went out to explore the city.

What she saw left her in shock.

"We saw how drugs were being sold on the streets, as well as how people had very casual attitudes towards drug abuse," she recalled. 

These transactions were taking place along main roads in broad daylight, Zan told us.

"It was quite shocking. It's just something that never occurred to me... how in other countries, they have a very different approach from Singapore."

This incident made her realise the importance of taking a strong stance on zero tolerance towards drugs.

Being 'a part of something bigger'

Zan has been offered the opportunity to study Bioprocessing of New Medicines (Business and Management) at University College London.

Explaining why she's pursuing this degree, she said that there are newly synthesised drugs that are progressively emerging in the market.

There's a need to understand how these drugs affect the body and how they ought to be classified, whether harmful or helpful.

"I want to be a part of something bigger... I want to be part of a role that benefits many people, not just myself," Zan told us.

To that end, she hopes to eventually find herself in a leadership position where she can lead her team to keep Singapore's streets drug-free and ensure citizens feel safe in our country.

Looking back on her time as a badminton athlete, Zan said that moving away from the sport was not an "if", but more "a matter of when".

"I always knew I wasn't going to pursue badminton as a career, as it was just something I was really passionate about... it was just a hobby that I really wanted to continue."

She still plays the game as a hobby, and said there are moments where she misses training with teammates or joining others in the sport.

"[I also miss] the thrill of stepping onto a court to play competitions," Zan reminisced. 

"But I have closed that chapter, and it's time to move on to a new chapter in life."

@asiaone Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Singapore Government Scholarship recipient Michelle Zan shares her journey from being a national badminton player to pursuing a career with the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), and how her friends reacted to her unexpected career path. #sgnews #Singapore #Scholarships ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

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khooyihang@asiaone.com