SINGAPORE — Even as the battle for the mandate to lead Singapore Athletics (SA) heats up, president-hopeful Ho Mun Cheong and his team launched a stinging attack yesterday on the previous regime led by outgoing chief Tang Weng Fei, and promised to ring the changes within the national sports association (NSA) if elected.

Claiming that Tang, who will be stepping down from his role at SA’s annual general meeting (AGM) on June 27, led the association in a “dictatorial” style, Ho insists he and his team will instead look to adopt the concept of collective responsibility and consensus in their decision making process if voted into the management committee.

“It is saddening to note that SA has been plagued by dictatorial and unilateral decision making by the current president in recent years,” said Ho, the current SA honorary secretary, at a media briefing yesterday where he unveiled his team.

“But our philosophy of management will be embedded in managing by consensus, collective responsibility, transparency and accountability of every member of the management committee and executive committee (exco).” Ho added that a letter had been submitted to the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and Sport Singapore (SportSG) detailing the alleged “persistent unilateral actions” of Tang as SA president.

Ho and his 14-member team, which includes familiar faces such as current SA vice-presidents Loh Chan Pew (competitions) and R Rajandran (finance) will be going up against the TeamAthletics outfit led by lawyer Edmond Pereira.

Among some of the proposals put forward by Ho’s team — named Team Achievers — include the setting up of an Athletes’ Commission to oversee the management and welfare of all athletes, as well as the implementation of a Code of Conduct for members of the management committee and exco.

Former national athlete Tan Ming Jen, lined up to helm the Athletes’ Commission, believes the initiative will go a long way to preventing talent from slipping through the cracks.

“The athletes’ commission is something new but important for athletes future as it is key that we properly manage the pre and post athletic career of our athletes,” said Tan. “This is lacking in most NSAs and I believe it will make a difference to athletes pursuing their athletic career in the longer term. A lot of them are retiring early due to various financial concerns, meaning they will miss out on the best years of their athletic careers.”

TEAM ACHIEVERS

President – Ho Mun Cheong

V. President (Training & Selection) – G.Balasekaran

V. President (Competitions) – Loh Chan Pew

V. President (Finance) – R.Rajandran

Honorary Secretary – Alexander Louis

Honorary Assistant Secretary – Tan Ming Jen

Honorary Treasurer – Alvin Phua

Statistician – Peter Back

Women’s representative – Margaret Oh

Chairman (Officials) – Joe Yap

Chairman (Race Walking) – Leong Lee San

Chairman (Tech & Equipment) – Ong Choon Poh

Chairman (Tug of War) – Terry Tan

Chairman (Cross-Country & Road Running) – A.Kannan