SINGAPORE – When former national hockey player Lilian Chee first hung up her stick back in 2006, she decided to continue satisfying her appetite for the sport by training to become a technical official of the game.

Nearly a decade later, the 40-year-old’s hard work and dedication to hockey has paid off. She has been appointed as a judge for the women’s hockey competition at this year’s Olympic Games.

Chee, who is also the Singapore Hockey Federation (SHF) assistant general secretary, is one of three Singaporeans who have been chosen to officiate in Rio de Janeiro. The other two are umpire Lim Hong Zhen and SHF president Mathavan Devadas, who will serve as an assistant technical delegate.

Since receiving the news of her appointment in September last year, Chee has spared no time and effort to prepare for the biggest assignment of her hockey career to date.

“The International Hockey Federation (FIH) usually lets us know about our appointment at least one year in advance so that we’ll have ample time to get prepared for it,” Chee told TODAY.

“There are a lot of things that we’ll have to do. For example, we need to be fully comfortable with all the rules and regulations of the sport, especially with the changes to the format of the sport which were implemented just last year.

“So I’ve been going for more tournaments to get more experience. I was also tournament director for the TPG International Tri-Series – featuring Australia, Germany and Holland – which we hosted in January. That allowed me to get more familiarised with the Rio-bound teams and officials.

“It’s an honour to be selected, so I want to make sure I perform my best.”

As a judge at the Olympics, most of Chee’s work will largely be done off the field. Some of her tasks include the inspection of team uniforms, ensuring control on the team benches, and the recording of match statistics.

While this may just be the beginning of her Olympic hockey officiating journey, Chee has already set her sights on a higher goal: to become the first Asian tournament director to manage the Olympics.

“When I first started this journey as a hockey official, my dream was to get to the Olympics,” said Chee, who works for the Singapore Tourism Board as its Deputy Director for Industry Marketing & Marketing Capability. “I’m happy to have attained my goal, and I’m hoping to continue getting appointed for future editions.

“But my next target now is to one day manage the Olympics as tournament director. It might sound far-fetched, but I believe in the need to aim high and work towards it. Even if I don’t get it, the journey itself will be very fulfilling.”

Chee is not the only one busying herself with preparations for the Olympics. Her compatriot Lim, another Olympic debutant, has also been hard at work to ensure he is in tip-top condition for the Rio Games.

“Since receiving the email of my appointment, I’ve ramped up my training in order to stay sharp, fit and on top of my game for the Olympics,” said Lim, who is currently in London to officiate at the Hockey Champions Trophy as part of his preparations for Rio.

“I couldn’t believe it initially that I was selected, but I’m absolutely delighted and am eager to do Singapore proud at the Games. Once I get back from London, I’m going to hit the gym and work on my fitness leading up to Rio in August.”

Lim, who is the Director Of Business Development & Distribution at Eng Hup Aluminium Glass Trading, will be the first Singaporean umpire to officiate at the Olympics since John Martens at the 1972 Munich Games.

The only other umpire from the Republic to receive such an honour was V Ramalingam, who officiated at the 1968 Mexico Games.

Hockey officials for the Olympics are chosen by the FIH after a thorough assessment of their performances at various tournaments.

While Lim has done enough to impress the assessors for this year’s Games, he admits it has not been easy juggling work, hockey and family commitments.

“I can be quite stretched for time because of all my commitments and there will be occasions when I have to be away for hockey matters,” revealed Lim, who is married with one child.

“Thankfully, while my wife does not always understand my commitment to the sport, she is still fully supportive of my umpiring. My parents and in-laws also chip in by making special arrangements to cover for whenever I’m away, so I’m grateful to all of them for making concessions to allow me to pursue my passion.

“Nonetheless, while it’s been a busy time for me, I still hope to return for the Olympics in 2020. My ultimate goal is to move up the hockey officiating ladder and contribute back to the sport.”