My Journey with SPEA - Mr Goh Ek Piang

Congratulations on Singapore Physical Education Association (SPEA) ’s 50th Anniversary 2025. When SPEA was first established under the outstanding leadership of our late Dr Lau Teng Chuan in 1975, I joined it without hesitation. I strongly believe in supporting and promoting the ideals of a professional institution to which I belong. This long journey has been most enriching, beneficial, and enduring as I have experienced the different stages of SPEA’s transformation. A journey that I have gone from receiving to sharing and serving.

While I was in SPEA, its constitution had several revisions to remain purposeful and relevant to the needs of the PE fraternity. Then, SPEA’s key objectives were championed through the voluntary initiatives and efforts of PE and Sports pioneers from the then Teachers’ Training College (TTC), Singapore Sports Council (SSC) and the Ministry of Education (MOE). They were members of the first SPEA Committee of Management which included the late Dr Lau Teng Chuan, President, the late Mr Yap Boon Chuan, Vice-President (Research and Publications), the late Mr Tan Eng Yoon, Vice-President (Planning & Development), Mr Desmond Oon, Hon. Secretary, Mr Robert Tan, Asst. Hon. Secretary, the late Mr K. Kesavadas, Hon. Treasurer, the late Mr Tan Hwee Hock, the late Mr Alec Kwok Yau Yew, the late Mr Patrick John, the late Ms Ong Siong Ngo and Mr Tan Yen Nen, Committee Members as well as Mr Chang Fook Tin and the late Mr K A Nair, Hon. Auditors. Collectively, they had laid a strong foundation for the development of physical education and sports in Singapore.

Today, with new technologies and a well-trained physical education and sports fraternity, the SPEA is ably helmed by a highly passionate and professionally qualified management committee team comprising members from the schools, Physical Education and Sports Teacher Academy (PESTA), Physical Education, Sports, Outdoor Education Branch (PSOEB), Physical Education and Sport Science (PESS) Department (NIE/NTU), Institutions of Higher Learning (University, Polytechnic, Institute of Technical Education) and Sport Singapore (Sport SG).

As an ordinary member and later as an Assistant Honorary Secretary of the SPEA, I have benefited professionally from attending the numerous local, regional, and international PE and Sport Science workshops, seminars, and conferences organised by SPEA and/or in collaboration with our local, regional, and international partners. After my return from overseas studies in 1984, I was posted to MOE HQ as a curriculum specialist in the Physical Education (PE) Unit. In 1988, I was elected as the Honorary Secretary of SPEA.

One of the key initiatives in SPEA to uplift the professional standards of our PE teachers is to facilitate participation in overseas PE and Sport Science conferences and help organise PE and Sport Science seminars and events locally. SPEA’s collaboration with our ASEAN and international counterparts was also greatly enhanced during this period. In 1996, I was with the SPEA Committee of Management team that initiated the inaugural Outstanding Physical Education Teacher Award (OPETA). The OPETA served to better recognise and reward the best efforts of our PE teachers. This, I believed, helped lay the foundation for the Outstanding Teacher Coach Award (OTCA) in 2019. Today, we are incredibly excited to be more inclusive by presenting the inaugural Outstanding Special Education Physical Education Teacher Award (OSPETA).

On behalf of SPEA, I would like to pay a special tribute to the many SPEA members who volunteered their precious time and energy to make these awards possible. I voluntarily stepped down as Hon. Secretary when I was posted back to school as vice-principal of Gongshang Primary from 1998 -1999 and later principal of Hougang Primary from 2000 - 2007. When I returned to MOE as Deputy Director, Co-curricular Activities Centre (DDCCA) Branch in 2008, I was elected the 5th President of the SPEA as members felt that I could contribute at this level, which I humbly accepted. This was the most challenging period for me as I was heavily involved in hosting the inaugural Asian Youth Games (AYG) and the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore in 2009 and 2010, respectively. On top of these were the International Youth Camp and the International Youth Sports Conference. In 2010, the Physical Education and Sports Teacher Academy (PESTA) was established under the visionary leadership of Mr Tan Teck Hock. SPEA and PESTA strived to work collaboratively to raise the professional standards through the professional development of the PE fraternity. In 2011, both organisations jointly organised the SPEA and PESTA Gala Dinner at the Orchid Country Club, where we witnessed the launch of PESTA and the SPEA Outstanding PE Teacher Award Ceremony. It was heartwarming to note that several SPEA‘s inaugural Committee of Management members of 1975 and others have been featured in The Pioneers’ Gallery of PESTA.

After my active service in MOE, I voluntarily stepped down as President, SPEA and accepted the role of Adviser, which I still serve today. My most memorable moment came in September 2017. A small regular lunch group of retired SPEA members, Robert Tan, JJ Quek, C Kunalan, Ek Piang and our late Harry Tan, jointly organised a Reunion Dinner with the SPEA Committee of Management team led by then President, Dr Koh Koon Teck. More than 230 PE and sports personalities attended it, including those in their 70s, 80s and one 90-year-old veteran. Some came with walking aids, while a few were on wheelchairs. Many had lost contact with their buddies for a long time. It was such a joyous and rowdy evening. There were continuous handshakes, hugs, laughter and stories throughout the event. Everyone hardly had time to sit or eat. It was also a wonderful time for bonding, not just among the seniors, but also colleagues and friends from different generations.

Leadership renewal is essential. I am confident that each successive management committee, under its respective President, will continue to elevate SPEA to greater heights. In conclusion, I would like to pay a special tribute to all my predecessors for their guidance, mentorship, and the opportunity to serve as an ordinary member, assistant honorary secretary, honorary secretary, President, and currently Adviser to SPEA.

Contributed by:

Mr Goh Ek Piang

5th President, 2008 - 2012, SPEA

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