SEA Games 2015 Blog

Chaly’s Story
Chaly Mah
Chairman, Deloitte Singapore
[Seen on the left with Nila, the 28th SEA Games mascot]

Today, 5 June 2015, marks the official opening of the 28th SEA Games. The excitement has certainly been building and it is definitely going to intensify over the next 12 days.

I am proud that Deloitte can be part of this significant event in Singapore’s history, more importantly, I am proud of the spirit that our people and our athletes have displayed and will display during the Games – that of friendship, passion to perform and commitment to excellence.

Since our appointment as the Official Professional Services Partner of the 28th SEA Games, many of our people have been working hand-in-hand with the Games committee to ensure the success of this multi-sports event. This behind-the-scenes work often goes unnoticed, but the work that they do – from tax-related support to risk management consulting – is paramount in ensuring that the Games run smoothly and safely for both the athletes and the spectators from around the region.

Apart from the engagement team, we also have a group of over 160 Deloitte volunteers who have the honour of receiving and escorting the VIPs from around the region at tonight’s official opening ceremony as well as the closing ceremony on 16 June. I know that these volunteers have committed many weekends to prepare for this day and I am sure they will do an excellent job, bringing pride to both Singapore and Deloitte. I am looking forward to seeing them tonight as I will be attending the event with many of our clients.

Over the past year, we have also been given many treasured opportunities to involve the community in the SEA Games outreach efforts. Of particular significance is this year’s IMPACT Day because it combined with the SEA Games “-2 days countdown event” where we involved our community partners NorthLight School and Tung Ling Community Services in the creation of the number “2” formation. I am glad that I was able to be part of this activity and very pleased to see the smiles on everyone’s faces as we came together to create this impressive formation. If you have not seen the video, click here to view it.

Besides contributing to the Games through our professional service delivery, sponsorship and volunteerism, many of our Deloitte athletes have also been selected to represent Singapore in the Games. They have been training very hard, so let us all cheer them on at the Games as they do their best to fly the Singapore, and Deloitte, flag high.

Our vision for our SEA Games journey is for Deloitte to ‘Deliver the Dream’, and over the course of the year, we have done it: delivering the dreams of athletes who want to compete in a world-class competition; the dreams of volunteers who want to be part of this unique event; the dreams of less fortunate people in society who can benefit from the impact of the Games; and the dreams of Singapore to host a successful event in our Golden Jubilee year.

This final stretch of this journey promises to be even more spectacular and exciting, and I would like to encourage all of us to cheer loud and proud, just as I will, for our athletes, our volunteers, and those that are involved one way or another in our engagement with the Games – as they work hard to bring glory to us all.

Let the Games begin!

Chaly