ON TIME, ON TARGET, CARRY ON

"Sorry, are you sure I won the Best Sportsman award?" asked Staff Sergeant (SSG) On Shaw Ming when this writer spoke to him about the Singapore Armed Forces Sports Association (SAFSA) Sports Awards on 18 Aug.

SSG On, a national shooter, was apologetic and explained that he had received a telephone call from the organisers to attend an award presentation at CSC @ Bukit Batok, but did not know that he would be the recipient of top honours. He had just returned from an overseas trip.

"I must really thank my superiors in Hendon Camp for this award," said the 29-year-old Commando.

"Officers like my Chief Commando Officer, Colonel Yeo Eidik, Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Ang Yau Choon, LTC Kenny Tay, among many others, had this dream of making our soldiers world-class soldiers. So I must thank them all for the time off they granted me so that I could go for training."

Although SSG On is no stranger to shooting competitions, having taken part in SAF Individual Small Arms Meet (SAFISAM), and is also a member of the Military Shooting Team, he was only roped in to join the national shooting team early last year.

He brought his wealth of experience to the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in March this year and clinched the first-ever shooting gold for Singapore in the 25-metre centre fire pistol event.

"Oh, there's one more person I must thank Master Sergeant (MSG) Poh Lip Meng. He was the one who introduced me to shooting."

MSG Poh is SSG On's fellow Commando and also the recipient of the Meritorious Sportsman award at the presentation.

"It is good encouragement to be recognised for the sacrifices that I've made for the sport," said the 37-year-old, with a wide smile. "All the time-off, time after work and weekends have not been wasted."

He expressed his appreciation to his superiors and the entire Commando formation for their understanding and support.

Among many of MSG Poh's achievements was representing Singapore at the Commonwealth Games, and also winning the bronze medal in the 50-metre pistol event at the 23rd SEA Games in Manila last year.

Next up for SSG On and MSG Poh will be the ASEAN Army Rifle Meet (AARM) in Vietnam this November.

"SAF has been the champion since 2001 and our neighbours have improved over the years, so the challenge for us is to do our best and retain the title," said MSG Poh.

Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Ng Yat Chung, who is also Chairman SAFSA Council, presented the annual sports awards to the top sportspersons, coaches, officials and teams from SAFSA, in recognition of their outstanding performance in the last work year.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) received the Best Formation award for amassing the highest number of points after taking part in 13 designated sports during the year. They won the Inter-Formation competitions in athletics, swimming, table tennis and water polo and also achieved good results in the other sports.