Wings set to fly a little higher
Tan Yo-Hinnyohinn@mediacorp.com.sg
IN WHAT is possibly a first in Singapore athletics, Wings Athletic Club have secured a five-figure sponsorship deal with a foreign company.
The one-year deal with Chinese sports apparel and equipment brand Anchao is worth $50,000 — $30,000 in cash and $20,000 in apparel.
The agreement will be signed at Wings' first Seminar Day at Innova Junior College on Saturday, where the likes of former national track stars Tan Eng Yoon and Canagasabai Kunalan will be speaking.
Club president Melvin Tan said the deal would boost their efforts to raise the sport's profile here, particularly with Singapore hosting the first Youth Olympic Games in August 2010. "We also have a number of young athletes and hopefully with the help of this sponsorship, we can contribute towards helping develop top youngsters to represent Singapore at the Youth Olympics," Tan added.
Anchao were established in 1993 and are headquartered at Jingjiang, in China's Fujian Province. In January, Anchao's chief executive officer, Ding Song Piao, paid a visit to the club's training session here and was impressed.
In an interview earlier this week, Ding said: "From our interaction with Melvin and his fellow coaches, I realised Wings' athletes were paying for their training, competition — including travelling and overseas accommodation — attire, shoes and food supplements and all other activities without any external financial support.
"I am very impressed with the passion in all the club's members and their mantra of grooming world-class athletes.
"I hope this sponsorship will give Wings the catalyst needed for their growth."
Ding is also open to the idea of contributing to Singapore's Youth Olympic Games preparations and said: "We are open for discussion."
Eight athletes from Wings represented Singapore at last year's SEA Games in Thailand, including national men's shot put thrower Chia Chong Yi and national sprinter Poh Seng Song.
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