Singapore expats paddle their own canoe

Abu Dhabi: The Singaporean community in the UAE has said that their participation in a sporting event in Abu Dhabi brought the entire community together.

"Many families from a thousand strong community in the country came to the venue of 'First Dragon Boat Festival to extend all support including food and drinks to the Singaporean team", said Low Pit Chen, Charge d' Affairs (CDA) at the Singapore Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

"The team spirit to win the sport and support from the community made a national spirit amongst us during the event on last Saturday," said Chen. It was our first initiative to participate in a competition since the Singaporean Embassy was opened in March this year, noted Chen, who himself led the team Capitala Dragons Singapore to the finale to win the sixth position in the event. Capitala, joint venture real estate company of Mubadala and CapitalLand sponsored the team which competed with more than 40 teams.

"Dragon boating is a cultural event originated from China, although it has become an international sport now. Many Singaporeans have great memories of watching the exciting races held at Singapore river", he said.

The enthusiasm was visible when the Singaporeans in the UAE, who never before participated in the boat race came forward to be a team member. "Among the 20 team members including 16 men and four women, only one-third of them had previous experience", said Chen.

Ng Ahtzuh, 55, the oldest member of the team said he never took part in rowing even back at home, but joined the team to keep alive the community spirit.

"I wanted to use my experience in marathons and skiing to support the new enthusiasm among the Singaporeans here|, said Ahtzuh, an Auditor in Abu Dhabi. Herbert Lian, Centre Director of a Singapore Trade Agency and Eu Jinn, 19, the youngest in the team also had the same reasons to have a maiden attempt with rowing.

Merey Can, 35, a home-maker in Dubai had this unexpected opportunity to use her two years' rowing experience. "The community's encouragement prompted me to travel all the way to Abu Dhabi (from Dubai) frequently to attend the training during the past month," Can said.

"My son was also a great support". The presence of Singaporean families made us more enthusiastic, she added. In Singapore, most of the companies and government departments form Dragon Boat teams to build team spirit among the employees, said the CDA.

80 per cent of the Singapore community are living in Dubai but the population in Abu Dhabi is steadily growing, Chen said.