NCC MARKS 110TH YEAR WITH RELAY RUN

They say unity is strength and this was especially the case for 1,300-plus National Cadets Corps (NCC) members who participated in the NCC 110 Road Relay on 23 Jun.

Together, they clocked 290km in about 12 hours, surpassing Singapore's coastline of 193km.

Held as part of NCC's year-long 110th anniversary celebration, the event that began at 6am saw participants starting from four different locations, cutting through schools within each cluster that had NCC units. The routes then converged at Anderson Secondary School, the merge point where the last group of runners covered the final stretch to Headquarters NCC in Amoy Quee Camp. There, all the participants assembled for the finale and a lively 15-minute mass aerobics exercise.

Chairman NCC BG (Ret) Goh Kee Nguan noted that the relay emphasised the significance of fitness and teamwork to the cadets. He said: "First, we want to remind the cadets that being fit is very important to their own well-being. Having a healthy mind and body will help them to achieve a lot more. Second, this relay allows the cadets to run together as a group with a common goal."

In an address to the cadets after the relay and workout, Guest of Honour Brigadier-General (BG) Tung Yui Fai, Army Chief of Staff (General Staff), added: "Today's event is in tandem with our national goals to develop ruggedness and a spirit of adventure in our youths through vigorous outdoor activities.

"Your high spirit and sense of pride displayed during the run speaks well of the NCC as an organisation that... (helps) instil discipline and foster the ideals of esprit de corps and loyalty in her cadets."

In showing his support for the event, BG Tung joined the last leg of the relay within the headquarters' compound, along with BG (Ret) Goh and Director Nexus Colonel Kelvin Koh, as well as NCC cadets, council and command group members. They received encouraging cheers and applause from the rest of the cadets who lined up along the last 200m of the finishing stretch.

It was a moment of triumph for the participants as they witnessed the final team dash pass the endpoint with four runners waving brightly-coloured NCC flags, thereby concluding the the day-long relay.

The relay runners comprised NCC cadets from 131 schools, teachers, cadet officers, council and associate members. They ran in groups of 10 for an average distance of 2.5km.

The four NCC flags, held by representatives belonging to groups running the four routes, changed hands an average of 33 times each before arriving at the endpoint.

Ang Mo Kio Secondary School cadet 3SG Tan Hui Qi said although she would run more than 2.5km during her physical training sessions at times, the distance she covered individually in the relay mattered less than the collaboration with her fellow cadets. Said the 15-year-old: "It's the sense of togetherness, exhibited not only within our school unit but within the whole of NCC, that makes the run exceptionally meaningful."

NCC associate member Muhammad Taufiq found the running journey nostalgic as it reminded him of his days as a cadet. The 25-year-old Singapore Institute of Management student had voluntarily signed up and completed a distance of 5km in the relay.

"NCC is something close to my heart. It has brought out the best in me, so it is time for me to contribute and render my support as an alumni," he told cyberpioneer.

The event ended with a photo session, with the cadets forming the characters "NCC 110" on the field.

Following the NCC 110 Charity Drive, the road relay is the second activity held this year to mark NCC's 110th anniversary.

The Charity Drive started in May with cadets raising funds via donation cards. It was initiated to impart to the cadets the value of compassion towards the less privileged in society. The monies collected will be donated to the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund Charity Drive in mid-July.

Upcoming events such as the NCC 110 Parade and official launch of NCC Facebook page and Twitter will also be taking place to commemorate the youth organisation's milestone.