Singapore
Singapore media faces criticism for linking Maximilian Maeder’s Olympic success to Edwin Tong
Recent media reports appear to link Singapore’s kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder’s Olympic success to Minister Edwin Tong, sparking criticism. Netizens question if this reflects a trend of crediting officials for athletes’ achievements, especially ahead of the upcoming General Election.
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On Thursday (15 August), The Straits Times published an article titled “2021 meeting in Paris led to Max Maeder’s Olympic bronze medal“, reported that MCCY Minister Edwin Tong was introduced to Maximilian’s talent in 2021, which led to a series of supportive measures for his development.
In a Wednesday (14 August) interview, Edwin Tong explained that Maximilian’s aunt’s mention of his talent “struck a chord” with him. As Maximilian’s name kept coming up, Tong consulted with the Singapore Sailing Federation (SSF) and former SSF president Dr Ben Tan to keep Maximilian on their radar.
Tong recalled being impressed by Maximilian’s maturity and understanding of kitefoiling during their first meeting. He explored how to support Maximilian both sportingly and financially, paving the way for his competitiveness on the global stage.
The article detailed how organisations and individuals, including SSF, the National Youth Sports Institute (NYSI), and the Singapore Sport Institute (SSI), provided essential support to Maximilian.
The report also mentioned that Dr Tan, while still SSF chief in 2018, assessed Maximilian’s abilities and ensured ongoing support from the federation, leading to his inclusion in the prestigious spexScholarship programme in 2022.
Recognizing the need for additional support, Minister Tong connected the Maeder family with local beverage company Yeo Hiap Seng (Yeo’s).
In March 2022, Yeo’s and the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with Maximilian.
Although the financial details were not disclosed, the partnership supported Maximilian’s training, equipment, and personal development, with annual costs estimated at about €250,000 (S$374,000).
Minister Tong emphasized that “it takes a village” to raise an athlete, highlighting the collaboration between the athlete’s family, sports organizations, and the government in nurturing young talent.
He told ST: “We saw Max when he was competing in the juniors, we decided that he was someone who showed potential, and we wanted to support him as far as possible.
“In many cases, that would have been so for many other young athletes, some reach the potential, some become major Games athletes, others don’t. But our job is to ensure that we give the best support and allow each athlete to reach his or her own, no pun intended, max potential.”
Netizens’ reaction
Observing comments on ST’s Facebook post, some ST readers questioned the intentions behind the interview, criticizing the focus on Minister Edwin Tong’s involvement and suggesting that more attention should be given to supporting other athletes on the international stage.
A netizen wrote: “If the country want more medals, work on making the environment, the opportunities, the exposure and the challenges. Heroes are made not born.”
A comment sarcastically suggested that without Minister Tong, “Singapore would not have achieved a bronze medal at the Olympics.”
“Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines ministers should work harder to contact all their friends and relatives to check if their radar have potential medalist. Should learn from minister Dong and do their country proud.”
While some comments suggest that Minister Tong might be taking credit after the athletes’ achievements, Singaporean runner Soh Rui Yong, who holds six national records, defended the Minister.
Mr Soh stated that Minister Tong has genuinely supported athletes and is not merely seeking to claim credit.
In response to a netizen’s query, Mr. Soh shared that he has personally interacted with and worked with Minister Tong. He acknowledged that while he understands the skepticism, it stems from widespread disillusionment with other officials, which colors people’s perceptions.
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That pic on the right…i tot itwas MM and a little boy fan posing for a pic keepsake….🤣😅😆
(Difference in size)
Only now i realised its ET…hahaha..
All that ET did…isnt it his job after all…him and the other relevant ministries…since theyre so greedy for olympic medals, that they even went as far to “buy” PRC table tennis winners…
..
Mr Soh is sincere and honest.
But being a politician, ET must bear the arrows on hos backside.
Because, it is the effort of the athlete, that is applauded, not the effort of the politician.
SPH can choose to play up Max
SPH can choose to play down ET
The sponsors are already gaining in terms of their brand’s exposure… and for years.
So, ET.. you can choose to hide in the shadows by just telling your assistants to stand down.
No..?? cannot do..?? or dont know how to do..??
You are not getting votes.
Great job by Max!
But somehow the celebratory mood is marred by a shameless opportunist and leech Edwin Gong.
Now THAT’S a “free rider” trying to bask in someone else’s glory.
A cockroach would have more integrity, shame, and dignity.
A real pathetic $m miw
Don’t ride on others’ achievements lah!
If ET is not claiming credit for himself, why is he inside the photo op wayang? Why the need to blow his trumpets? Do you see other countries politicians taking photo op with their athletes? Pap politicians have always taken credit even where credit is not due. They will not miss out any opportunity to take every credit but when it comes to accepting responsibility or blame, they always wash hands or play taichi. We already know their pattern, ok?
Why ET never meet up with the ex-president’s son, ask him why got NS deferment but nothing to show for SG? ET is just an opportunist (for personal glory), not a solver or enabler. Aka leech.
Confused:
I think we should applaud Edwin Tong for supporting Max. Why the criticism?
REPLY to Confused:
He doesn’t confuse me, he simply gaslight the most gullible of us with antics, hyperbole and circus-maximus gladiator events. It rings of The Gong Show, Mad Max (sorry for the pun Max) beyond Thunderdome and of course Taylor, and oh, Francis as well.
I think we should applaud Edwin Tong for supporting Max. Why the criticism?
MM worked his guts out for that piece of metal.
If edwin bong thinks a meeting can easily do the job, then why not meet 10 more MM type and secure 10 more medals at LA Olympics.
So desperate ah this fellow?
‘Tailor’ Swift also want to link big big…
Bronze medal only….straight away …fast hand ,fast leg go ..’link’?
So desperate ah Wong better hand over the PM post to him lah!
The kind of ppl ,you locals would vote for?
I know this fella so desperste to link with the ‘rich’ East siders but there the ppl bo hiew him!
Must have cause him many ‘sleepless night’ as he ponder on the reasons….why!😆😆😆😆🤣🤣🤣
PAPs are morally corrupt!
Shameful…
The DISHONEST PAP using tax payers money to buy newsprint space for their benefit at citizens expense.
This is *** PAP CORRUPTION ***
Thanks for keeping a close watch on this seedy, degenerate! A phenomenon long present among an entire swath in this country. He’s the svengali and his followers are the sheep exploited to prop himself up and looking for followers of evil just as Satan would send his servants hoping to ensnare souls and offering himself as a salvation for their souls. But it is a salvation that leads them to Hell.
Face Skin Enhancing at its classic best by E T, symtomatic disease of Millionaire Bastards. .
Million$ ministers are Free Riders, hor.
A failure is a failure is a failure,Dong,Dong,Tong
No regards for what is morally right or wrong.
As long as they earn a Million Dollars ofTax Payers money for their salaries, they even perhaps might claim hvg a good F with doggie is the ultimate sex experience no where Geylang or Desker Road can match.
Still, … what’s wrong with any of SillyPore’s prominently and perpetually “in your face” ministers keeping a low profile or discreet distance, … when it comes to supportive acts, in the face of highly likely misconceptions of stealing one’s thunder and claiming credit for another’s success or achievements !!!
They, … of all people should know better and conducted themselves better. SillyPore, as Tong had alluded to, … is but a village, and a small one at that !!!
全红婵父亲在家门口请游客吃月饼