Ex-military generals are being placed in Top position by the government because they are 忠心于国家.
Soon you may need to salute to SSC CEO.
After a three-month search, Brigadier-General Lim Teck Yin's name has emerged out of the hat for the country's top civil service post in sports.
MediaCorp understands that the one-star general, currently the Commandant of SAFTI Military Institute, has been selected from a shortlist of four candidates to be the next chief executive officer (CEO) of the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) and will officially be unveiled once the Government gives final approval.
A three-man panel made up of SSC chairman Richard Seow, deputy chairman Cheah Kim Teck and council member Low Teo Ping was formed to find a replacement for Mr Oon Jin Teik, who announced last October he was leaving as CEO after six-and-a-half years to join the private sector.
Speaking to MediaCorp yesterday, Mr Seow would only say the search for a new CEO for SSC was in its final stages. "We will make the announcement at the appropriate time," he said.
BG Lim, who started his military career as a commando officer in 1980, was a former national water polo star. He helped the Republic win six gold medals at the biennial SEA Games from 1985 to 1995 and was also in the team that won bronze at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul.
The 48-year-old was vice-president of water polo at the Singapore Swimming Association from 2006 to 2008.
When contacted yesterday, the father of four declined to talk about the latest development. "I've not been told anything officially," said BG Lim, grandson of Singapore's World War II hero Lim Bo Seng.
"All I know is that I still have two years before I am due to retire from the Army."
While all the candidates had the credentials to lead the SSC - namely, proven leadership qualities and the ability to take Singapore sports forward - a source familiar with the selection process felt BG Lim's background as an athlete probably tipped the panel's decision in his favour.
"Teck Yin's familiarity with sport as a national water polo player and administrator made him the logical choice," said the source.