The Singapore sports community mourns the passing of an accomplished sportswoman, Ms Annabel Pennefather, yesterday 27 April 2020.

She was one of the pioneer women sports administrators in Singapore and was very passionate in championing the Olympic Movement and women in sports.

She was a national field hockey player from 1964 to 1980, and captained the team for more than 10 years. As an outstanding official, she led the way internationally in officiating and administration. In 1996 and 2000, Pennefather was the Technical Delegate for the Women’s Competition at the Olympic Games. In 2006, the former national hockey player became the first woman to be co-opted into the executive committee of the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC). She held this position until she stepped down in 2018. A well-respected role model, she guided the sports talents, imparting in them resilience, discipline and teamwork. As a trailblazer for women in sports, she worked tirelessly to increase participation by women and girls.

Pennefather's expertise as a lawyer – she headed the sports law practice at Withers KhattarWong – experience in sports administration and passion for sports meant that she was highly sought-after by international sporting bodies.

The Singapore sports community has lost one of our icons, Singapore Gymnastics convey our deepest condolences to her family.