Tang lands archery chief job again

SINGAPORE - An old hand is at the helm of the Archery Association of Singapore (AAS)'s new leadership team after an extraordinary meeting (EOGM) was held on Sunday.

Tang Chang Poh, who led the association from 1998 to 2010, was elected president, beating younger rival Ong Zhong Da with a huge majority for the post.

The new team replaces the one led by outgoing president Chong Foo Siong, which was dissolved after it was given a vote of no-confidence at an EOGM last month.

Tang's team will serve until June, before an election is due at an annual general meeting.

The Straits Times understands that only about half of the AAS' 28 affiliate clubs turned up for the meeting, with Chong one of those absent.

Some felt this was a negative sign moving forward, especially with next year's SEA Games a little more than a year away.

"Some clubs are not really concerned with who runs the show, as long as the minimum is done," said a source within the fraternity.

"Others probably choose to wait and see if this incoming group will walk the talk, since they are so anxious to take over."

While affirmed by the support he received during the election, Tang, 63, maintains that it ultimately is a group effort to bring the sport to greater heights, after its best showing at the SEA Games in three decades last December.

The sport won a gold and silver in Myanmar.

He said: "The support is to the AAS, not to me. The AAS is not about me - it belongs to all archers. Everything we do is for the next generation.

"If we can have this mentality, archery will be strong and will come up."

Among his immediate plans are a search for a national coach and to apply for the sport to be reinstated in the school sports calendar.

It was removed after just one season after computational mistakes led to the erroneous placements of schools.

Tang said he is open to anyone who wishes to do his part for the sport.

"I open my arms to welcome anybody who has ideas or wants to offer their help."

He has offered Ong - the 27-year-old is chairman of Canberra Archery Club - a post as assistant to the secretary.

Said Ong: "I'll need to consider.

"There are some things I wish to do, and if I can do it, I will definitely give it a shot."

maychen@sph.com.sg

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