Bangkok, Thailand, May 30, 2023: The South East Asian Games Federation has paid tribute to Dr. Tan Eng Liang, who passed away in Singapore on May 28. He was 85.
In a statement dated May 29 from Dato’ Seri Chaiyapak Siriwat, Chief Operating Officer of the SEAGF Office in Bangkok, the federation said: “It is with great sadness that the South East Asian Games Federation received news of the passing of Dr. Tan Eng Liang from Singapore on 28 May 2023.
“Eng Liang, an Olympian who represented Singapore in Water Polo at the Melbourne Olympic Games, was a former Vice President of the Singapore NOC. He also served as a longstanding SEAGF Council Member and SEAGF Honorary Life Member.
“His total commitment and in-depth experience, with highest integrity and always putting the athletes’ interest and well-being as of paramount importance, brought innovative changes and balanced advancement of the Federation and the SEA Games.
“He served as the Chairman of the Singapore Sports Council for 16 years. Under his invaluable guidance, Singapore hosted successful SEA Games in 1983 and 2015.
“He also led Team Singapore to the major Games as Chef de Mission 12 times, starting from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
“He rendered long-time exemplary and distinguished service to the community, particularly in sport, the Federation and the SEA Games, with great passion and unfailing dedication for decades, always in the best interest of athletes’, all member-NOCs of the Federation, the Federation itself and the SEA Games.”
Dato Seri Chaiyapak noted that, at the SEAGF Council Meeting held on May 4, 2023, it was unanimously approved that the special award of the “SEAGF Council Lifetime Achievement Award – the Order of the Golden Rings” be bestowed to Dr. Tan.
“The SEAGF Family extends our deepest condolences to Dr. Tan’s family. His devoted service will always be a source of inspiration to all of us in the SEAGF Family and the future generation.”