SEA Games 2015 Blog

Kai Ling’s Story
Koh Kai Ling, Audit Manager and Team Singapore netball player (retired)

Netball has been a big part of my life since I picked up the sport in Primary 6. It was my dream to represent Singapore at the Open level netball tournaments and I pushed myself in trainings, regularly playing netball seven days a week, with the hopes of perfecting my skills.

My dream came true in 2005 when I was selected into the Team Singapore netball team, playing my first series against Papua New Guinea. I recall that our opponents were physically much bigger than us. Even though we did not win the series, we put in our very best.

I have since retired from professional netball but I still play on for the love of the game. I am currently playing netball for a club, training once a week with my friends and teammates. I also train with the Deloitte netball team when we need to prepare for the various corporate challenges held annually.

Through my involvement in netball, I forged many friendships, learnt the values of teamwork, perseverance and determination, and gained greater confidence. It also made me understand that one needs to pursue excellence in everything that we do.

I started my career with Deloitte almost 10 years ago and I must say I am very fortunate to have joined an organisation that promotes a sporting culture. In comparison to when I joined, we have more sporting activities such as the Inter Department Games for staff to participate in and new initiatives like the Wellness programme to promote healthy living. Hence, it came as no surprise when Deloitte decided to sponsor the Singapore Youth Olympic Games five years ago and now the SEA Games that is to be held on our shores come June this year.

On 7 August 2014, I was honoured and glad to be appointed the emcee for the momentous signing ceremony event to officially ink our SEA Games sponsorship. This sponsorship, to me, is proof of Deloitte’s commitment to sports and to the youth of Singapore. I did not get the chance to compete in the SEA Games and while there is a pang of wistfulness of not being able to play on the court at this prestigious sporting event, as I am sure the atmosphere will be fantastic, I am happy that I am still able to contribute in other ways.

Apart from my role at the signing ceremony, I am also part of the Deloitte SEA Games engagement team, supporting the SEA Games committee’s finance team in their work. The journey thus far has been very enriching – I am able to learn more about the Games through the manuals I have to review and the discussions I have with the different functions involved in putting the Games together. I have a newfound appreciation of the work that goes into making the Games successful – an appreciation that I would unlikely have if I was part of the Games just as an athlete.

A successful 28th SEA Games is not only a win for the athletes but also for all who are involved behind the scenes. I look forward to seeing the hard work of everyone in Deloitte unveiled at this major sporting extravaganza – a befitting celebration of Singapore’s Golden Jubilee.

To the athletes who have secured a place in the Games, particularly our Deloitte athletes, I wish for them to shine in the arena as they unleash their power and pursue their dreams. I will be, along with the rest of Deloitte and Singapore, rooting for them as they do their best for themselves and for the nation.

Kai Ling