Singapore Gymnastics wishes to extend its deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs Ng Soh Lan who passed away on Saturday 16 January 2021, at the age of 60.

Known to the gymnastics community as “Madam Chai Soh Lan” or “Mrs Ng”, her love and contribution to the sport was immense. Besides her full-time teaching job, Mrs Ng took on various roles in the gymnastics scene in Singapore taking on key positions within both recognised gymnastics National Sports Associations (NSA); Singapore Amateur Gymnastics Association (SAGA) and Singapore Gymnastics (SG), as well as serving as an International Brevet Women’s Artistic Gymnastic (WAG) Judge.

Mrs Ng served on the Management Committee (MC) of SAGA from the 1980s and after the recognition of SG as the NSA for gymnastics in Singapore, Mrs Ng took on key roles which included: Vice-President (year 2007 – 2011) and Secretary (year 2013-2015).

During her time on the MC of both SAGA & SG, Mrs Ng was one of the driving forces behind the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics team’s historic success in the 2003 South East Asia (SEA) Games, where the Women’s team had podium success in the Team Championship, Individual All-Around Championship, Individual Apparatus Final. It is because of the systems that were implemented through her leadership that made it possible for the women’s team to continually achieve international success till date.

Mrs Ng (extreme left) with the 1985 South East Asian Games Team and the late Mr Lee Seng Huat (extreme right)

Besides working on the High-Performance side of the sport, Mrs Ng also ensured that participation was not neglected. She was instrumental in rolling out the first National Program for Singapore’s Women’s Artistic Gymnastics during the period 2006-2010, including its implementation at the inter-school competition (now known as National School Games) subsequently. Mrs Ng was also always ready to offer her services in the running of sporting events. She was always present in the national competitions and was also appointed as one of the two Floor Managers for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games hosted by Singapore in 2010.

Mrs Ng attended her first Federation of Internationale Gymnastics (FIG) judging course and became the first Singaporean to attain the International Brevet judge accredited by FIG in the early 80s for Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG). Since then, Mrs Ng judged actively, from local competitions such as National School Games and National Championships, to international competitions such as South East Asian Games, Asian Games and World Championships.

As the pioneer International Brevet judge, Mrs Ng was selfless with her knowledge, mentoring many aspiring judges. She was a true inspiration to those around her, with some of the athletes she judged at competitions eventually ended up judging alongside her. Said Ms Sheryl Lim: “We will always remember Mrs Ng Soh Lan as the most passionate, caring and highly revered teacher. I am forever grateful to have the opportunity to attend FIG Brevet courses with Soh Lan and be personally guided and mentored by her in my gymnastics judging journey. She was amazingly knowledgeable, so outstanding, so sharp, fast and accurate in her judging. It's no wonder she came in top in one of the brevet courses we attended overseas together and was recognised as the best FIG judge in South East Asia and the favourite go-to Head Judge by the FIG Brevet Official. Bravo for your achievement Soh Lan! We will forever be proud of you and will always etched in our hearts and mind your selfless devotion to elevate gymnastics excellence in Singapore. Your spirit of giving, sharing and determination will always be the inspiration to all teachers and sports officials. We thank you for your dedication and perseverance in bringing the Gymnastics sport to a much higher level than before, be it judging standards or athletes' excellence, contributing immensely to many individual and team medals in SEA Games. Rest in Peace Soh Lan, my beloved mentor and friend.”

On behalf of the Singapore gymnastics community, THANK YOU. You will be sorely missed. Rest In Peace Chai Soh Lan. She leaves behind husband Ng Theng Khong, David, daughter Huang Shi Ling, Genevieve and grandchildren Tan Yan En, Reanne and Tan Yan An, Reyes.

Madam Chai Soh Lan’s wake is at Block 305 Yishun Central, S760305. Cortege leaves on Wednesday 20 January 2021 for a private cremation at Mandai Crematorium.