Singapore Rowing Association eyes its first full-time head coach since 2015
Singapore’s rowing scene has struggled to secure a SEA Games medal since 2015. However, Paul Supramaniam, president of the Singapore Rowing Association (SRA), believes this dry spell may soon come to an end. His sights are set on the 2029 SEA Games in Singapore as a realistic opportunity for the country’s rowers to step back onto the podium.
To make this goal achievable, the SRA plans to hire a full-time head coach. Singapore has lacked a full-time rowing coach since 2015, when Irishman John Holland briefly held the position for the SEA Games. Although Holland stayed on part-time until the 2018 Asian Games, the association has since relied on volunteer coaches or consultants. Currently, Japanese coach Goken Sakamoto, who volunteered from 2012 to 2015, serves as a consultant for the national team.
Supramaniam emphasized the financial challenge of hiring a full-time coach, which would cost between $100,000 and $150,000 annually. Nevertheless, he sees it as a necessary step in the association’s progress. “A head coach will help expand our talent pool and create a coaching framework to train future coaches,” he explained.
Singapore’s rowers enjoyed success in 2015, bringing home a silver and three bronze medals from the SEA Games. However, they were absent from the 2019 Games and returned empty-handed in 2022. Rowing was not part of the 2017 and 2023 editions.
Although Supramaniam did not provide a specific timeline for hiring the new coach, discussions with international candidates are already underway. He stressed the importance of finding the right person, stating, “We’re in a hurry, but we won’t rush to make the wrong decision.”
Supramaniam acknowledged that neighboring countries like Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia have significant advantages, particularly in terms of access to ideal training conditions. “These countries have extensive bodies of water and can train for months on end, something we lack,” he said. Despite these challenges, he remains optimistic about Singapore’s chances at medaling in 2029.
Revamping the Training Environment
With about 250 active rowers in Singapore, the SRA is working to enhance training facilities and scout for new talent. Efforts include upgrading the Pandan Reservoir training site and continuing the legacy of athletes like Joan Poh and Saiyidah Aisyah. Aisyah, Singapore’s first Olympic rower, competed in Rio 2016, retired in 2017, and made a remarkable comeback for the Paris Games at 36. Meanwhile, Poh represented Singapore at the Tokyo 2021 Games.
The SRA is also involved in future infrastructure planning. It has submitted proposals for a rowing training facility as part of the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Long Island project, which aims to create 800 hectares of reclaimed land off East Coast Park. Additionally, preliminary discussions with the Singapore Sailing Federation have explored the possibility of sharing coastal rowing access at East Coast Park.
New Leadership and Vision
After taking over as president in 2022, Supramaniam now leads a fresh mandate to guide the SRA. Though the next elections were originally scheduled for 2026, an early election was called this year to adopt a new constitution in collaboration with Sport Singapore (SportSG). This move is part of the association’s effort to apply for Institutions of a Public Character (IPC) status, which would support fundraising for infrastructure upgrades.
Supramaniam, alongside his new leadership team, will serve a four-year term until 2028. His team includes vice-president Steve Davies, honorary treasurer Toh Han Chong, honorary adviser and former SportSG CEO Oon Jin Teik, and honorary secretary Rajeev Duggal. Other board members—Matthew Brittain, Rupesh Sharma, Elizabeth Fuller, and Jason Humphries—will serve for two years.
Click here for more comprehensive insights about Sports