The Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) began a new chapter yesterday, as former national captain Terence Khoo was elected the association’s first new president in 11 years at the Delta Sports Complex.
Khoo, 46, had been up against incumbent honorary secretary Cheo Chai Hong, and won a vote by the SRU’s eight affiliated clubs at last night’s annual general meeting to succeed Low Teo Ping as president.
Said Khoo after the election: “I’m deeply humbled (by the result). It’s something I’ve prepared a lot for. “The first thing I need to do now is to tap on the expertise of my learned colleagues, Mr Low and Mr Cheo.”
Khoo’s main goal during his two-year term is simple: To get more people playing the sport.
“From the age group teams to the clubs to the national team, this pathway for young players needs a little bit of work,” said the managing director of sports marketing company Enterprise Sports Group.
As a former national player who featured for the Republic from 1988 to 2000, Khoo is also keen on improving the national team’s performance.
“Rugby here is defined by our national team, and I’ve seen some results that I’ve been less than excited about,” he said.
Low took charge in 2006, with SRU then a bankrupt organisation rocked by an embezzlement scandal, and served for 11 years in the absence of willing successors.
However, Khoo resisted any suggestion that he has big shoes to fill, adding: “Teo Ping did well for us as a leader but he was also surrounded by many passionate people.
“It’s not one man’s job; rugby is a team game and we need to credit the whole (SRU) team’s effort.”
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