Teo had decided to step down, having been involved since 1994 when he was elected vice-president before becoming head of SNOC four years later, before he believed fresh leadership was needed. 

Tan, Singapore's Minister for Manpower, was the only candidate to replace him at the SNOC Annual General Meeting held at the Swissotel Merchant Court Hotel.

The new President is expected to take a leading role in final preparations for next year's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, which are due to be staged at the new Singapore Sports Hub next year.

"I have decided not to seek re-election at this AGM," Teo told delegates 

"It is time that we have new leadership to take SNOC and sport in Singapore to new heights.

"In the past 16 years, I have very much enjoyed being with the athletes through the many Games; to encourage them and help them develop and grow, to share their joys and successes, to stand with them through their pain and disappointments.

"The fact that we are hosting the SEA Games next year, provides a platform and opportunity for the new leadership in SNOC to work with you to realise our vision and dreams."

Under Tee, Singapore had won medals at the last two Summer Olympics - a silver and bronze in the women's team table tennis at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, where Feng Tianwei also won a bronze in the women's singles - having claimed their last at Rome 1960.

Singapore table tennis player Feng Tianwei won a bronze medal in the women's singles at London 2012 ©Getty Images

Tan,45, had been coopted onto the SNOC Executive Committee in April in anticipation of Tee's announcement. 

"The fact that we are hosting the SEA Games next year, provides a platform and opportunity for the new leadership in SNOC to work with you to realise our vision and dreams," said Tan.

"I am looking forward to the Games, not just in terms of performance but in terms of hosting and rallying the people...Team Singapore is not just about the sportsmen but every Singaporean getting behind the team.

"[The SNOC] is in good shape and sports is evolving well. We will build on the strengths we have and continue to improve where we can.

"The Sports Hub is coming up and that's always exciting when you have developments like that."

A spectacular firework display marked the opening of the Singapore Sports Hub at the weekend ©Singapore Sport

Ser Miang Ng also stepped down as vice-president of the SNOC but will remain on the Executive Committee in his role as a member of the International Olympic Committee. 

Four vice-presidents were also elected to the Executive Committee unopposed, Dr Tan Eng Liang, Low Teo Ping, Annabel Pennefather and Jessie Phua.

Nicholas Fang from modern pentathlon, Dr Melanie Chew from equestrian and Milan Kwee from taekwondo were elected as the three sports representatives. 

At a meeting marked by several changes to the SNOC, Edwin Lee was elected unopposed as Treasurer taking over Kua Hong Pak.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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