Singapore Athletics general manager Jaime Cheong quits
Singapore Athletics general manager Jaime Cheong has resigned from her post after 20 months at the association. Photo: Jowie Tan
SINGAPORE — After enduring months of infighting and internal turmoil, Singapore Athletics (SA) was dealt another blow on Thursday (Oct 26) when its general manager (GM) Jaime Cheong tendered her resignation to the Management Committee (MC).
Cheong, 35, had initially joined SA in February 2016 as its manager of sports development and performance (SDP) before she was re-designated its GM two months later. The former national floorball player and coach had previously worked with Sport Singapore as a relationship manager in 2012 before joining the SA’s secretariat.
While Cheong did not respond to calls and text messages on Thursday, TODAY has learnt that she is seeking legal advice from Edmond Pereira Law Corporation.
Four months ago, an ugly spat between SA officials, staff and coaches was revealed in a leaked whatsapp conversation between Cheong, SA vice-president (training and selection) Govindasamy Balasekaran, and its SDP staff. The chat, which took place during the Thailand Open, appeared to show Balasekaran instructing SA staff to collect evidence against coaches Margaret Oh and David Yeo, who work with sprinter Shanti Pereira and pole vaulter Rachel Yang respectively.
Subsequently, Cheong and four members of the SDP team were investigated by a Board of Inquiry (BOI), with the BOI then recommending in its report that the SA refer the matter to an independent Disciplinary Committee (DC).
SA president Ho Mun Cheong confirmed on Thursday that they had received a majority of votes from the MC to set up a DC, and that will commence when its three members are approved by the MC.
Cheong’s resignation comes as the national sports association continues to battle internal strife within its MC. Since winning the elections together as a team in July last year, the committee have split into two camps — one led by Ho and vice-president (competitions) Loh Chan Pew, and the other by Balasekaran — after disagreements over a number of issues. These included Cheong’s appointment as GM last year, as TODAY understands that some members had raised questions over her suitability for the position.
The national sports association has also seen a number of key personnel changes in its secretariat in the last few years, with five people having held the GM post since 2012.
Ho confirmed that they are on the hunt for a new general manager.
“We will be advertising (the position) on our website,” he said. “We want a GM who can work with athletes, coaches and officials.
“And it’s very important that we get someone who’s well versed (in the sport), and preferably someone with a background in track and field… otherwise he/she won’t know what’s happening.”
