NEW CLARK CITY, Philippines: The lack of “stable governance” within the athletics fraternity has cost its athletes, said Singapore Sports Institute’s (SSI) head of high performance and athlete life Richard Gordon, following the sport’s poor outing at the 30th SEA Games.

“We’ve seen in decline in results over the past three SEA Games. We’ve done a lot of work behind the scenes in terms of trying to help (them) to stabilise,” said Mr Gordon at a wrap-up press conference on Wednesday (Dec 11).

“But they seem to have a propensity for infighting within the fraternity … what I am going to say is that you need to get your act together.”

Singapore’s athletics contingent did not win a gold or a silver at this year’s Games. It bagged two bronze – both courtesy of Shanti Pereira in the 100m and 200m finals.

In the 2017 edition of the Games, the team won two gold medals – one from marathoner Soh Rui Yong and another from high jumper Michelle Sng.

Soh’s nomination to compete in this edition of the Games was rejected by SNOC, while Sng finished fifth this year.

READ: Marathon champion Soh Rui Yong’s SEA Games nomination rejected

“As a fraternity, you need to start working together, you need to start providing stable governance,” said Mr Gordon.

“Because you are providing nothing more than a distraction, which is taking your time, effort and energies away from what you should be doing, which is helping to support the athletes’ development and performances.”

In contrast, he said that there were lessons to be learnt from swimming, which tied its best showing at the Games with 23 gold medals.

In addition to its “planned and very systematic approach”, the sport has been “very stable” in terms of governance, he added.

“They are very stable in terms of their governance and I’d compare and constraint that with several other sports over this past two – maybe one year – where we’ve noted that (for) a number of NSAs (National Sports Associations), there’s been some turmoil within the NSA. 

“This is a distraction, it’s a distraction away from the athletes, away from their performances and their preparation for these important Games. This is not fair for the athletes.”

This year’s SEA Games also saw promising performances from “emerging” sports such as softball, he noted.

The men’s team bounced back from a 8-0 loss to the Philippines earlier in the tournament to beat the overwhelming favourites twice to win gold. 

“I think that’s a tremendous story and I think (there are) many lessons that could be learnt from some of the emerging sports like softball, in relation to some of the traditional sports,“ said Mr Gordon.

“But many of the traditional sports, where perhaps they have lost some innovation, perhaps they’ve lost a little bit of desire, are being challenged by some of the emerging new sports,” he added.

“That’s an emerging narrative that we’re seeing at this SEA Games and is something that we’ll keep a very close watch on over the next few years.”

Mr Gordon also pointed out five Singapore athletes and one team which displayed “extraordinary and exemplary behaviour and performances”. 

They were Amanda Lim, Quah Zheng Wen, Darren Chua, Ryan Lo, Peter Gilchrist and the men’s softball team.

“I would highlight those six athletes and team – one, because I think they are incredibly professional; two, I think they are incredible hardworking; and three, they are very, very humble in what they do,” he said.

“I think they are tremendous role models for Singapore and for future generations of Singapore athletes.”

SINGAPORE: Grab announced on Wednesday (Dec 11) new safety training for delivery riders switching to bicycles, promising free smart helmets to those who complete the course.

This follows the recent ban of personal mobility devices (PMDs) on footpaths from Nov 5.

Together with Asian Detours, a facilitator of the Safe Riding Programme appointed by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), GrabFood has designed a new training course to educate riders on traffic rules, safety checks, vehicle maintenance and navigating traffic scenarios.

Upon completing the training course, Grab riders will receive a smart helmet produced by Singapore startup Lumos. 

The helmet, which retails for US$180 (S$245), features lights that make riders more visible and serve as turn signals, controlled by a mobile app.

Grab delivery rider Mr Dzulfiqar Ismail said he has had near misses with cars several times since switching from an electric scooter to a bicycle.

“(The helmet is) a very good innovation for us because of the placement of the lights,” said the 29-year-old.

Grab’s head of transport Andrew Chan said the firm will help riders who are concerned about switching from PMDs to bicycles or power-assisted bicycles (PAB).

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“The main concern that our rider partners have shared with us is really, how do I ride safely? How can I maintain my new vehicle? What are the new conditions that I need to be aware of on the road as opposed to on the footpath?” he said.

GRANTS FOR DELIVERY RIDERS

Riders had earlier been offered help in the form of grants of up to S$1,000 if they trade their e-scooter in for an e-bike or up to S$600 for a bicycle.

More than 45 per cent of Grab delivery riders affected by the PMD ban have applied for the e-scooter Trade-in Grant (eTG) since it was announced in mid-November, and 90 per cent of those applications have been approved, said Mr Chan.

Responding to questions about the remaining riders who have not applied for the grant, Mr Chan said: “There are partners who have decided that this may not be the right vocation for them anymore and have chosen to move on.”

According to a November report from Today, more than one in three GrabFood delivery riders relied on e-scooters to fulfill orders. Just 5 per cent of Deliveroo riders and 12 per cent of Foodpanda riders used PMDs, including e-scooters. 

READ: Almost 2,500 food delivery riders apply for e-scooter trade-in grant

In response to CNA queries, a Foodpanda spokesperson said the platform will stop PMD deliveries before LTA penalties officially kick in on Dec 31, to ensure riders have “sufficient time” to make the switch.

According to Foodpanda, 75 per cent of its eligible riders have signed up for the eTG scheme, and LTA has granted approval to more than 70 per cent of these riders.

Deliveroo said that all delivery riders have access to a safety kit, which includes a waterproof jacket, long-sleeved base layer and delivery bags which are reflective to increase visibility.

DELIVERY RIDER KIT

The GrabFood training course is one of five modules in the Delivery Rider Kit training programme created by NTUC’s e2i, Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit and LearningHub. 

The training programme, which is voluntary, will be available to all delivery riders across platforms. Courses have been running since Dec 9, and according to NTUC, it is expected to benefit more than 2,000 riders making the switch from PMDs to bicycles or PABs.

PMD riders who are registered with GrabFood and have completed at least one GrabFood trip between Oct 9 and Nov 7 can go for the training programme at no cost.

READ: Food delivery riders have ‘genuine concerns’ about new e-scooter rules: Desmond Lee

READ: E-scooter riders gather to voice frustration over ban at Meet-the-People session in Ang Mo Kio

For Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents, up to 90 per cent of the fees and training allowances will be supported by NTUC, SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and Workforce Singapore (WSG). 

Responding to questions about why Grab has not made the training course compulsory despite calls for more enforcement by the platforms, Mr Chan said: “We also respect the fact that there are a lot of bicycle and e-bike riders who are already very proficient in their vehicles.” 

Grab will not be making the programme mandatory for now, but will continue to monitor the situation moving forward, he added.

These initiatives have come after the Government banned the use of e-scooters on footpaths, sparking those who rely on such devices to make a living to gather at Meet-the-People sessions across Singapore to speak to Members of Parliament last month.

Additional reporting by Zhaki Abdullah.

SINGAPORE: Having a strong corporate culture with a clear mission and values that resonate with people may no longer be a “fluffy” or unimportant aspect for businesses.

According to American job search and review platform Glassdoor, this is one of the key attributes found in the most sought after workplaces in Singapore.

Glassdoor on Wednesday (Dec 11) released its annual ranking of the best companies to work for around the world.

The top 10 list for Singapore – a first for the country by Glassdoor – is compiled based on reviews and ratings left by Singapore-based employees on its platform between October 2018 and October 2019.

Google was the highest-rated, followed by Facebook, Shell, Amazon and Microsoft.

Visa, AIA, US marketing software provider Hubspot, JP Morgan and HP rounded out the top 10.

Being mission-driven and having strong values are the common themes found in the reviews of these companies, especially for Google and Facebook, said Glassdoor’s communications head Joe Wiggins.

“A company’s mission is a strong call to keep people in their jobs and it has to be very clear for people around the world to understand and feel that they can get behind,” he told CNA in a phone interview.

“People want to feel that they are with a company that aligns with their own personal values.”

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Glassdoor’s president and chief operating officer Christian Sutherland-Wong said attributes like culture and values have become crucial in determining a company’s ability to recruit and retain top talent.

“Gone are the days when company culture could be considered a fluffy or non-essential business metric,” he added.

On making the list, Mr Dan Neary, vice president for Asia Pacific at Facebook, said: “Our company mission drives our culture and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to take initiative and know that they are supported constantly in what they do, within or outside of work.”

CAREER PROGRESSION, WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Companies like Facebook and Google also present their employees with career progression in an inclusive and collaborative environment.

Reviews on Glassdoor for the US social media giant, for instance, often include positive comments about its diverse workforce which helps to enhance the strength of ideas, said Mr Wiggins.

Career progression opportunities also come in a “bigger sense”, he added.

“It’s not just about being promoted. It’s also about adding new skills or having the option to move to another team or work on different projects.”

Over at Google, employees are given exposure to large-scale projects. The search engine giant is also highly rated for its creative and fun workspaces, as well as opportunities to learn from “smart” co-workers, said Mr Wiggins.

One initiative that promotes learning between employees is the “Googler 2 Googler” (g2g) classes. This allows employees to sign up as a coach and conduct classes, either in-person or online, on topics ranging from Python coding, parenting to mindfulness.

This has been “extremely popular” and effective, with over 10,000 Google staff around the world dedicating a portion of their time to developing their peers, said Ms Julia Boettcher who is the lead programme manager for the g2g program in Asia Pacific.

“Google hires some of the brightest people around the world and we give them the freedom to share their skills with others,” she told CNA.

“We work hard to create the healthiest, happiest and most productive work environments possible that encourages collaboration and gives Googlers the freedom to innovate.”

READ: A ‘win-win’ for employers and workers: New guide on job sharing launched in Singapore

Even as they are acknowledged for opportunities given to their employees to progress in their careers, most of the top 10 companies also have a strong emphasis on work-life harmony and attractive employee benefits, Mr Wiggins said.

Flexible hours are commonly mentioned as part of the work arrangements at technology firms, as well as other companies like Shell and AIA who have a “people-oriented” culture.

Mr Wiggins noted that while salary and benefits remain key in attracting talent, the Glassdoor report showed that it is increasingly important for employers to have the “whole package”.

YOUNGER WORKERS LOOK AT NON-MONETARY QUALITIES: HR EXPERT

Earlier this month, a separate ranking by global institute Great Place to Work emphasised diversity, inclusion and a sense of belonging as key factors that define the best workplaces in Singapore.

For instance, companies that are ranked as great workplaces had narrowed their gender gap.

“In inclusive environments, people are fairly treated, valued for who they are and included in core decision making; while the experience of belonging refers to the … feeling that others care about his well-being as an equal part of the group,” the press release said.

Royal Plaza on Scotts and Salesforce were among those that made the list for the category of medium and large workplaces, while the best small workplace in Singapore was awarded to Hays Specialist Recruitment.

READ: Commentary: Want your dream job? Here are the career milestones to hit at every age

Mr David Leong, managing director of PeopleWorldwide Consulting, said those from the younger generation are increasingly looking beyond monetary benefits when choosing their employer. 

“The real motivators for retention are the work itself and the culture of nurture within the organisation, from effective coaching, goal-setting and overcoming challenges with a strong comradeship among team members.” 

Having smart and intelligent co-workers who are motivated and driven can also be a “powerful attractive force”, Mr Leong added. 

While the emphasis on these softer aspects is more often seen in technology firms, Mr Wiggins from Glassdoor said other traditional industries are fast catching up.

The finance sector is one example, as it looks to compete with the tech sector for top talents, he noted.

READ: Companies hunt for talent as Singapore tech sector continues to grow

SINGAPORE: Team Singapore’s largest away contingent in history won 53 gold medals at the 2019 SEA Games, crossing the 900th gold medal mark as it concluded its 2019 campaign.

Its medal haul of 53 gold, 46 silver and 68 bronze took its total medal tally to 167 with 51 medals coming from debutants at the Games, the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) said in a press release on Wednesday (Dec 11).

It’s the third consecutive SEA Games where Team Singapore has achieved more than 50 gold medals, and athletes went on to set 15 Games records.

READ: SEA Games thrills and spills – 7 stories that surprised Singapore

READ: Singapore’s swimmers finish with 23 gold, match best showing at SEA Games

The 2015 edition remains Singapore’s best performing Games (84 gold, 73 silver and 102 bronze medals) while the 2017 edition (58 gold, 57 silver and 73 bronze medals) stands as Singapore’s best away Games, SNOC added.

“Since each Games edition offers a different sport programme, an overall medal comparison may not represent an objective analysis of Team Singapore’s performance. However, the SEA Games presents an opportunity to monitor the development of the sports that are on the Asian Games and Olympic Games pathway, and those which regularly feature at these Games,” the council said. 

Team Singapore’s swimmers were among the top performers with 23 gold medals – equalling their best performance in 2015.

With 15 Games records, nine national records and 26 personal best timings, they also surpassed their away record of 19 golds in 2017, the council said.

Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen also clocked timings that qualified them for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The latter swept six gold and two silver medals to become the most bemedalled male athlete at the Games.

Singapore was top in fencing with the athletes raking in four gold, three silver and six bronze medals.

In golf, SEA Games debutant James Leow bagged a historic gold medal in the men’s individual event, Singapore’s first title in the category in 30 years.

While there were 48 medals on offer in athletics, Singapore managed just three bronze medals through Veronica Shanti Pereira and Nur Izlyn Binte Zaini.

Commenting on the performance at the track, Mr Richard Gordon, who is head of high performance and athlete life at the Singapore Sport Institute, said: “For Singapore to remain competitive in the overall medal tally, we need to put ourselves in a position to be competitive in the athletics programme where there are at least 40 gold medals up for grabs. 

“Singapore Athletics and the athletics fraternity have a role to play in ceasing the in-fighting to focus on the athletes. If this culture persists, progress is challenging.”

In team sports, the council said there were some “erratic performances”. It highlighted historic medals in softball and ice hockey, while noting the performances in water polo and table tennis where Singapore’s regional dominance was broken.

The “diversity of the 2019 programme” also included sports that are not often contested at the SEA Games, the council noted, highlighting the gold medal haul in underwater hockey and medals won in martial arts events.

COMMENTARY: Odd new sports at SEA Games aren’t a bad thing for Singapore 

Juliana Seow, chef de mission for Team Singapore at the Games, said: “Overall, Team Singapore had a great outing. Our athletes displayed grit and persevered in competition among the region’s best. Even the typhoon wasn’t able to dampen the strong team spirit our contingent displayed!”