Mr Lawrence Khong, President of the Polo Club
Members of the Club
Ladies and Gentlemen
A very good afternoon to everybody.
That was a most exciting match! And congratulations to the SPC White Team for winning, and the Red Team too for competing very hard and giving them a good run for their money. Also congratulations to the ATOMS Black and ATOMS White Teams for jointly winning the earlier match.
I am very happy to be here together with you at the SPC, to join you for this Outreach Tournament and Carnival, and to enjoy the exciting and fun game in person, in the flesh. I have watched polo games on television before, snippets of it. But it is nothing like watching a competitive match in-person like today − experiencing the speed, the thrill, the atmosphere, the company and the joy of being together and enjoying a good sport.
The Singapore Polo Club has kept this polo tradition alive in Singapore for many years. You have proudly represented Singapore at the Southeast Asian Games, and are planning to do so again this year. And you have continued to host world-class polo tournaments here in Singapore, and developed young talent to keep the sport alive and thriving. Through the years, you have strived for the sport, and excelled.
You have also kept up with the times, and played an active role in our society, broadening out to support the equestrian and sporting community here, for example in horse riding. Importantly, you are giving back to the wider society, through outreach initiatives like equine-assisted therapy and charity fundraisers, and stable tours for special needs guests, schools and the underprivileged. These are a few of the many creative ways we can make a social impact on those around us – even for a niche sport like polo − if we only set our mind to it, as this Club has clearly done.
Today’s fund raising event continues your proud tradition of compassion, inclusivity and community. You are supporting four very deserving beneficiaries: Dementia Singapore, Gateway Arts, PERTAPIS Education & Welfare Centre, and The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund. It is a meaningful gesture − a reminder of how sport can be a force for the good. On behalf of all the beneficiaries, I thank the Singapore Polo Club.
The Club has worked well with the Government, and been a force for good under the leadership of your President, Mr Lawrence Khong. I am confident this will continue under his successors. And to the players, thank you for showcasing the best of polo with passion and sportsmanship. To the volunteers and the organising team, thank you for making this event possible. And to everyone here today, thank you for your generous support and contributions.
Let us continue to support one another, on and off the field. May this tournament inspire us all, and may the carnival bring joy to many. So enjoy the day, congratulations to the winners once again for your well-deserved wins, and I wish you a very enjoyable evening ahead. Thank you very much.
