Singapore mourns sailing pioneer Lock Hong Kit, 74

Former national sailor Lock Hong Kit. © Straits Times
Former national sailor Lock Hong Kit. © Straits Times

Singapore, June 22, 2020: Lock Hong Kit, one of Singapore's sailing pioneers, died on Saturday, June 20, reports the Straits Times. He was 74.

Lock won two medals - a gold and a bronze - at the 1973 and 1975 South-east Asian Peninsular (Seap) Games and a gold medal at the 1983 SEA Games. He also competed in no fewer than six classes at international regattas.

Tan Tee Suan, who won a bronze medal with Lock in the Fireball class at the 1975 Seap Games in Bangkok, said: "He's a great person and a very good friend. He was someone who was very knowledgeable and kept himself informed. This is a big loss for the sailing community."

Lock was also the team manager and coach at several major Games, including the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima.

Veteran sports administrator and former national sailor Ng Ser Miang said: "Kit belongs to the pioneer generation of sailors. He shared the joy of sailing with youths and coached many of our national sailors and inspired them to become champions.

"He was well respected internationally for his integrity and strength of character. He dedicated his whole life to education. More than that, he was a friend, a sailing father and a loving husband. He shall be sadly missed by all of us."

Lock, who passed away due to prostate cancer, leaves behind his wife Molly Tan, daughters Joanne and Julie and three grandchildren.