SINGAPORE — From former national captain to Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) general manager and now its new president.

Terence Khoo began the latest phase of his lifelong relationship with his beloved sport on Tuesday night (June 20) when he was elected the new chief of the national sports association, replacing predecessor Low Teo Ping who stepped down from the position after 11 years at the helm.

The 46-year-old Khoo, who is the managing director of sports marketing agency Enterprise Sports Group, emerged triumphant against SRU honorary secretary Cheo Chai Hong, the other candidate running for the top post, at the SRU’s elections on Tuesday after garnering the majority of the votes among the SRU’s eight affiliates.

Speaking after the two-hour long affair at the Delta Swimming Complex which took place in conjunction with SRU’s annual general meeting (AGM), a beaming Khoo said he was “humbled” to have been elected president, and revealed that his immediate priority would be to gain a better understanding of the inner workings of the SRU.

The father of two teenage daughters said: “I’m deeply humbled. I’ve campaigned very hard, and I’m glad that the rugby community has come together and given me the opportunity to lead.

“Before any big decisions get made, the first thing I’m going to do is to understand a bit more in detail (about the SRU). So for now, I need to download information (about the SRU), and for that, I have to rely on my learned colleagues such as Mr Low and Mr Cheo, both of whom have vast amounts of experience.”

Khoo reiterated that one of his long-term aims for the sport as president would be to grow the talent pool of players in Singapore.

“We definitely want more people to play the game,” said Khoo. “We want to make sure that our younger kids from the schools get into age groups in the clubs, and eventually into the junior national age-group teams.

“We want to provide a pathway for these players to go from playing cub rugby to representing Singapore.”

Despite losing the elections, Cheo will continue as honorary secretary of the SRU, as that position was not up for contest this year.

The reitred banker said he would have no problems working with Khoo and agreed that there was a need to focus on building the country’s talent base. “I’ve always said there’s no monotony on good ideas, and it’s great that people like Khoo (who has fresh ideas for the sport) has stepped forward,” he said.

Outgoing president Low, who took over the SRU in 2006 at a time when it was reeling from a financial crisis after then-employee Sean Lee embezzled S$1.2 million and absconded, said he would be happy to support him in his efforts to improve the sport.

“It bodes well for the SRU that people are wanting to come forward and contribute towards rejuvenating the organisation,” said Low, who will, according to the SRU constitution, become its honorary president.

“That to me is very encouraging, and I look forward to supporting Terence and the sport as a resource for them to tap on. I’ve left the organisation in good shape ... It now has over S$900,000 in its accounts, so that will provide a good foundation for Terence and the management committee to bring the sport forward.”

Meanwhile, a new vice-president was also elected on Tuesday after Bucks Rugby Football Club president Martin Williams edged out incumbent Jonathan Leow. Meanwhile, Lim Tuck Beng beat Jonathan Hui to become the new honorary treasurer. The other two positions — assistant honorary secretary and committee member - were uncontested.

The SRU Management Committee 2017/2018

President: Terence Khoo

Vice-president: Patrick Wong

Vice-president: Sunny Seah

Vice-president: Martin Williams

Honorary Secretary: Cheo Chai Hong

Assistant Honorary Secretary: Shafiq Zulazmi

Honorary Treasurer: Lim Tuck Beng

Assistant Honorary Treasurer: Jonathan Hui

Member: Calven Bland

Member: David Lim

Member: Adrian Lee