• 478 recipients in 37 sports from 154 schools will receive $1.25 million, with a record 99 athletes in the high performance under-18 category
• The scholarship ceremony resumes an in-person format with badminton world champion Loh Kean Yew as a special guest
• Since 2011, 4,519 scholarships amounting to $10.45 million have been disbursed to support young Singaporeans’ sporting goals

Singapore, 10 July 2023 – Recipients of the 2023 Singapore Olympic Foundation-Peter Lim Scholarship were jubilant to receive their awards at Temasek Polytechnic today. This year, the Scholarship not only disbursed its highest annual award of $1,254,000 to 478 student-athletes in 37 sports across four scholarship categories and also recorded a high of 99 recipients in the high performance under-18 category.

After a hiatus of in-person ceremonies as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2023 edition marks the return of the full scholarship. During 2020-2022 when many local and international competitions were disrupted, the quantum and qualifying criteria for the awards were adjusted to continue to support young aspiring athletes. “Encouragement Awards” were instead disbursed to 1,110 recipients across 39 sports in 2021 and 2022, while keeping the same goal of encouraging young student-athletes to play and compete in sports, as well as benefit as many recipients as possible from financially challenged backgrounds.

One such recipient is 23 year-old Nur Ashikin Binte Zulkifli from ITE College Central, who practised her routine with her teammates via video-conferencing platform Zoom and drew stares when they trained at their respective void decks during the pandemic. Ashikin’s efforts paid off when she and her teammates clinched the bronze medal at the Hanoi 2021 SEA Games, the world championship title in 2022 and Singapore’s maiden gold in the women’s artistic silat team event at the recent Cambodia 2023 SEA Games.

“It was a tough time trying to train during the pandemic, but my teammates and I managed to overcome our struggles and our efforts paid off with two SEA Games medals and a world title. It is my dream to continue to represent Singapore in Silat, and I hope to do so when Singapore hosts the 2029 SEA Games. Support from the SOF-Peter Lim Scholarship definitely helps me to pursue my aspirations, and gives me motivation to do well to represent my sport and country.”

For short track speed skater and a first-time scholarship recipient Ryo Ong, the support will not only help in subsiding his training expenses but also motivate him to qualify for the Winter Olympic Games one day. The 16 year-old Singapore Sports School student said, “I took a gap year in 2022 to train in Busan, South Korea, and my timing has improved tremendously since. The support from the SOF-Peter Lim Scholarship would definitely be useful in covering my training and equipment expenses in my preparations for the Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2024 and help me to go faster and be more competitive on the track.”

Asian Games aspirant Cayden Loh was the youngest member of the 13-strong men’s water polo winning team at the Cambodia 2023 SEA Games. As a first-time recipient in the high performance under-18 category, the 18 year-old student from Temasek Polytechnic hopes more support can help him to be a better player. “The intensity of our training increases as we approach major competitions such as the Asian Games. As such, recovery is very important and having support from the SOF-Peter Lim Scholarship can help me to cover expenses related to training, competition and academic, thus giving me peace of mind to focus on my goals.”

13 years of supporting Singapore’s young sporting talent

The sports scholarship first came about in 2010 when entrepreneur and philanthropist Mr Peter Lim donated $10 million to the SOF. He pledged an addition $10 million in 2019 to continue the Scholarship till 2030. His commitment remains the single largest donation in Singapore from an individual towards sports development in Singapore.

Since then, 4,519 scholarships amounting to $10.45 million have been awarded to athletes in four categories: Primary ($1,000), Secondary ($2,000), Tertiary ($3,000) and High Performance Under-18 ($5,000).

To qualify for the Scholarship, recipients have to meet a set of criteria, including posting consistent results in relevant sports competitions. A majority of the recipients come from financially challenged backgrounds, and have demonstrated a potential to excel in their respective sports. Recipients can use the funds to pay for their competition expenses, buy sport equipment, as well as to cover school-related expenses.

The scholarship has also been a stepping stone for many athletes to reach greater achievements. Many recipients have gone on to represent the country at major Games. At the Cambodia 2023 SEA Games, 17 recipients won medals for Singapore.

SOF chairman Ng Ser Miang said: “For young athletes pursuing sports excellence, financial difficulties may prevent them from achieving their fullest potential. Over the years, Peter’s support has impacted the lives of many young Singaporeans and their families, be it in helping them to achieve their sporting aspirations or encourage them to enjoy the benefit of sports. We hope we can continue to play a meaningful role in the lives of young student-athletes, and also contribute positively to Singapore’s sporting goals.”