Lim said it was a “big honour” to be given the opportunity
“I’m a sports person, sports runs in my blood. I’ve been involved in sports as a player, as a coach, as a manager. Now eventually I have the opportunity to come on board as an official in the SEA Games.”
One of the things Lim enjoyed as an athlete was the opportunity to mingle with athletes from different sports and of different nationalities.
He recalled how at the 1989 Games, the football team attended different events to support fellow Singaporeans.
“You get to mingle with not only athletes from your own country, but you also get to mingle with your counterparts.
“That’s the beauty of sports. You’re not just going out there to compete, but to make friends and have this cultural exchange. And that’s where friendships are built.”
Lim is looking forward to similar interactions at the upcoming Games but what will be different this time will be the role he plays.
“For us as officials, we are going there to provide them a conducive training environment, so that they can perform at their very best.”
And Lim hopes to support the contingent in whatever way he can.
“No one is an island. You need support, and what is important is that when we are there, we render whatever support for athletes to perform at their optimum,” he said.
“Of course there are bound to be setbacks. It’s about how you bounce back from then on.”
A total of 558 athletes will represent Singapore at the upcoming Games, with more than half of them being debutants.
In the men’s football tournament, Singapore will face Laos, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam in what has been billed the group of death. It has been a decade since the team has progressed out of the group stages.
While the odds may seem stacked against coach Philippe Aw’s men, Lim’s message to them is simple. Keep fighting.
“I believe Philippe will have a game plan for every game, different opponents have different strengths. Let’s go in and put in our very best … We always say – put in your 110 per cent,” he said.
“Whatever the result is, you have to come out fighting with your heads held high … It should be: ‘I have done what I could’.”
That is the approach Lim has had going into each of his five Games. Going into his sixth, he is older, wiser, stronger and ready to pass it on.