Commentary: Team Singapore should not shy away from ambitious medal targets

Former Team Singapore chef de mission Nicholas Fang argues that ambitious medal targets should not discourage Singapore's athletes. The Asian Games concluded on October 4, with Singapore athletes winning two golds, nine silvers and seven bronzes across nine sports. The team's performance included breakthroughs in badminton and golf, and a strong showing from fencers, who had their best-ever Asian Games results.

Despite criticism over Singapore's gold medal tally being the lowest in nearly 30 years, Fang notes that the nine silvers was a record high. He emphasizes that sports progression is rarely linear, and various factors contribute to an athlete's success. Fang suggests that setting high targets, as done by Fencing Singapore, can be beneficial even if those goals are not met.

He recalls his own 15-year-old goal of winning five gold medals at a SEA Games, which was deemed unrealistic at the time but proved achievable eventually. Fang praises Team Singapore's 2026 performances, as they set 10 national records and achieved 23 personal bests. The upcoming 2029 SEA Games at home in Singapore will likely raise expectations, but Fang encourages athletes to embrace this pressure, using it as motivation powered by home support.

He dreams of the team topping the medal table at the 2029 Games, but acknowledges that the journey will provide invaluable lessons for the nation to become a true sporting powerhouse.