The selection trials for the 13^th Asian Cities Gold Cup Taekwondo Championships and the 25^th SEA Games were conducted on 30 November 2008 at 2.00pm at the National Training Centre.

It attracted 32 players from 13 clubs. Most of the Management Committee members, including STF President Milan Kwee, witnessed the selection process.

The selection panel comprising Messrs Steven Soh, RA Jeyaraman and Lee Thiam Poh assessed them based on their performances in competition-styled sparring. Majority of them performed reasonably well resulting in the high number of players being shortlisted.

The selectors categorized them to differentiate the better performers from the rest.

Here are their recommendations.

Male (Senior)

Female (Senior)

Male (Junior)

Female (Junior)

While players in Category A can be downgraded for failure to fulfill their training requirements, players in Category B will be upgraded if they prove to be committed in their training and show improvements in their performance ability. However, they will only be given the ticket for overseas competition if they are better than the listed Category A players.

All shortlisted players are to report for briefing and training on Wednesday, 3 December 2008 at 7.30pm at the National Training Centre.

3 players under the Special Preparation Programme did Singapore proud in the 4^th Korea Open International Taekwondo Championships held from 1 to 5 November 2008 in Suwon, Korea. They matched the best in the various categories to ensure that Singapore team did not return empty handed.

The Special Preparation Programme is for players earmarked for the Junior Tournaments. Participants in the programme have to commit themselves to regular training and fulfill the development plan which includes attending overseas training, friendly matches and competitions.

The event which attracted 1,200 competitors from 37 countries saw our players collect 2 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze medals. The medals came from the following.

Gold                –           Keith Ong (Poomsae – Individual)

                                   Tessa Tang (Sparring)

Silver         –             Keith Ong (Sparring)
                               Keith Ong (Poomsae – Championship Match)
                               Wesley Ong (Poomsae – Individual)
                               Tessa Tang (Sparring – Championship Match)

Bronze            –           Keith Ong (Sparring – Championship Match)
                                  Wesley Ong (Sparring)
                                  Wesley Ong (Poomsae – Championship Match)
                                  Tessa Tang (Poomsae – Individual)

After the competition, our players headed to Seoul for a training stint in Yeongdong Middle School. The training was arranged by Prof Lee Kyu Seok who is the Technical Advisor of the Singapore Taekwondo Federation.

At the school, our players had a lot of opportunity to trade kicks and punches with the school’s best players. Needless to say, our players had gained valuable sparring experiences from the exchanges.

Team Manager Ng Lee Noi said: “I am happy with the performances of the team and appreciate the co-operation and support of the coach, players and accompanying official and parents.”

Singapore Flag Bearers

Team Manager – Ng Lee Noi

Coach – Wong Liang Ming

Team Captain – Lanetar Quek

Players – Jordan Tay
Keith Ong
Wesley Ong
Tessa Tang
Official – Linda Sim

Parents – Mr Dicky Ong
Mrs Katherine Tay
Mrs Janet Ong

‘Mascot’ – Kaylar Ong