S$54k raised for rower Joan Poh’s World Champs bid; funding remains hurdle for Singapore athletes

A significant S$54,000 has been raised to support Olympic rower Joan Poh in her quest to compete at the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam from August 24 to 30. This final push comes from Singapore's sporting community and businesses, aiming to help Poh achieve her target of a top-eight finish, surpassing Singapore's previous best of 17th place in 2013.

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My team decided why not we just use this money to support fellow athletes who are also working hard to contribute to Singapore.

The funds will cover Poh's living expenses and her coach's in the Netherlands, alongside supporting earlier training camps and preparations for the wider national rowing team. Notably, members of Singapore's national women's tchoukball team donated their entire S$4,000 prize from the Singapore Sports Awards. Team captain Tan Wan Ying stated that the rowers' situation resonated with her team, inspiring them to support fellow athletes despite their own funding challenges.

Local food chain Mr Bean contributed S$20,000, comprising cash and meal vouchers. Venus Ang, the eatery's assistant branding director, expressed being moved by Poh's "determination and her resilience," emphasizing the belief that "every athlete deserves support long before the medals and applause." Individual donors added S$15,000, which was matched dollar-for-dollar by the One Team Singapore Fund, bringing the total to S$54,000.

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We met Joan by chance. We were moved by her story, her determination and her resilience.

Poh, 35, views this support as more than just a lifeline for one competition. She stated, "It’s not about the race I'm doing, but the momentum and traction we're trying to build. (It’s) for people to look at rowing, look at Singapore, look beyond the World Championships and towards the 2029 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games."

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We believe that every athlete deserves support long before the medals and applause.

This outpouring of support underscores a persistent challenge for many Singaporean athletes, particularly those in smaller National Sports Associations: securing adequate funding and managing the demands of elite sport alongside careers. The national women's tchoukball team's own experience of fundraising for competitions reflects this widespread struggle.

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The support … means so much (and) is extended beyond myself. It’s not about the race I'm doing, but the momentum and traction we're trying to build. (It’s) for people to look at rowing, look at Singapore, look beyond the World Championships and towards the 2029 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.