1. Tell us more about yourself and your volleyball life.

I am the Executive Chairman and CEO of BH Global Corporation Limited. We started as a Supply Chain company servicing Marine and Offshore industry and has over the years, developed into an integrated group covering supply chain management, manufacturing, engineering services and security.

Started playing volleyball at the age of 13 when I was in Whampoa Secondary School. We were National Schools champion in “B” division and I was selected to be part of the Combined Schools team (or presently known as ASEAN Schools Games). I was drafted into the National Youth squad at the age of 17 and was part of the silver medallist team at the Southeast Asia Youth Tournament. I was also fortunate to be able to represent Singapore from 1982 through to 1991 and played in three editions of the SEA Games in 1983, 1985 and 1991. I also played with both Singapore Armed Forces Sports Association (1985 to 87) and Whampoa Old Boys (1988 – 95).

2. What are you doing to contribute to volleyball in Singapore?

This is my second stint with the VAS (the “Association”). My first stint was back in the late 1990s as the Treasurer and Vice President but I decided to leave the Council due to heavy work and family commitment. In 2014, after witnessing volleyball development stagnating, I decided to rejoin the Association. I am currently the Deputy President of the Association and my role is mainly acting as the deputy for the President, focusing on fund raising initiatives and helping to identify and groom the next generation of council members.

In 2017, in honor of my ex-team mate from Whampoa Secondary and through to the National Team – the late-Mr. Lui Tiow Kar, I also championed the creation of the Lui Tiow Kar Volleyball Scholarship. The purpose of this scholarship is to motivate deserving volleyball talents to achieve their sporting goals, and to support high-performing athletes in pursuing excellence in volleyball.

This is the first of its kind in Singapore and I am extremely proud that we gave out the scholarship to our first batch of recipients at the VAS 57th anniversary dinner earlier this year.

I am also active in grassroots activities and as part of my role as Chairman of Taman Jurong Community Sports Club (CSC), we organised the annual Tharman Shanmugaratnam Volleyball Veteran Championship. This was originally catered to veterans and had an international flavor, including teams from Russia, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. and has over the years, started having men’s, women’s and in the most recent edition, soft volleyball category for younger athletes.

3. What will you do to encourage more volleyballers to contribute in their own ways, to give back to the sport?

Having been part of the Singapore volleyball fraternity for almost 40 years, and having the honour to represent the nation in my younger years, I feel obliged to give back to the sport that had been a big part of my life. That was the key driver for me to return for my second stint with the association. At 53, my body does not allow me to play anymore but I believe I can still contribute to the sport as an administrator, and most importantly, help to guide, mentor and creating opportunities for the younger generation of volleyballers.

I hope that the younger players continue to play, as they say “keep the ball flying”, even after they graduate from schools. And those who are able, to chip in in their own ways with the association and help drive the strategic directions and execution of initiatives that will benefit the sport.