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Easing of restrictions will see MOE-approved resumption of the National School Games with both 7-a-side and tag rugby as the format for this year’s rugby competitions Participants taking part in the tag rugby carnival on Saturday, 19 March 2022. PHOTO: SINGAPORE RUGBY UNION “With you! On your right!”, the all too familiar rugby calls on the vast Dampsey field pierces through the unforgiving Saturday afternoon heat. As the winger from one of the teams swiftly breaks through the defense line and scores a try, there is a palpable atmosphere of jubilation that rugby is finally coming back after a 2-year long hiatus. Participants taking part in the tag rugby carnival on Saturday, 19 March 2022. PHOTO: SINGAPORE RUGBY UNION The tag rugby carnival organised by Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) for the local women’s clubs on Saturday, 19 March 2022 marked the beginning of a gradual transition back into contact rugby. Charlie Brown, SRU’s Community Development Manager, said: “What has been pleasing to see is the creative approach from the community to ensure that rugby has not disappeared completely, be it through online sessions or training in small groups.” Confronted by restrictive SMM guidelines which have made it impossible to continue playing contact rugby in its typical format, the SRU and the wider rugby community have turned to innovative means to keep the sport alive. As part of their “Return to Contact Rugby Roadmap” initiative, SRU implemented Tag Rugby as the starting point for contact rugby players. Participants taking part in the tag rugby carnival on Saturday, 19 March 2022. PHOTO: SINGAPORE RUGBY UNION Striving to grow the women’s contact rugby scene in particular, SRU’s Women’s Development Program, which was kickstarted at the start of the year, has shown great promise as seen by the expanding pool of tertiary school teams. The introductory program is rolling out in three phases (tag rugby → modified contact rugby → contact rugby), each consisting of six sessions followed by a carnival to put the players' new skills to test. Participants taking part in the tag rugby carnival on Saturday, 19 March 2022. PHOTO: SINGAPORE RUGBY UNION Reflecting on the tumultuous past two years, Mr Brown remarks that it’s been rewarding to finally see the players' smiles on the field and hopes to keep the momentum going. Showcasing true solidarity, women’s clubs spanning from Blacks to Wolves have been proactive in supporting the growth of these tertiary institutions by volunteering as coaches and guiding this new wave of players. Xin Jie, Wolves Rugby Club player shared: “It’s my first time playing tag rugby and it’s interesting to see how we can find alternatives to playing rugby in such pandemic times. Love the games amidst the hot weather, and I’m so pumped for contact rugby and the upcoming matches!” Participants taking part in the tag rugby carnival on Saturday, 19 March 2022. PHOTO: SINGAPORE RUGBY UNION With the gradual easing of restrictions, exciting developments are in sight, including the MOE-approved resumption of the National School Games with both 7-a-side and tag rugby as the format for this year’s competitions. The annual Club 7s and 10s tournaments are also set to make a comeback in the upcoming months. On top of all these, rugby players and fans are in for a treat with the highly anticipated HSBC Rugby 7s returning to our shores as well. While resuming activities as-per-normal remains SRU’s top priority, Mr Brown ultimately hopes that the rugby scene in Singapore grows on all fronts for men, women, boys and girls. He adds, “rugby is a fantastic sport with such strong values that can be taken into all walks of life, and we hope that we can expand our community to all corners of Singapore.” #SportPlusSG #Rugby #TagRugby

From being rescued by helicopter for emergency surgery to overcoming trauma and rebuilding confidence, the inspiring story of a Singaporean racer’s journey in competitive skiing Faiz in the zone doing what he loves most - slalom skiing. PHOTO: FAIZ BASHA Our childhood years are filled with many first experiences. For Faiz Basha, a competitive skier racing in the Fédération internationale de ski (FIS) league, this included his first experience with alpine skiing as a three year old toddler that ignited his passion for the sport. Faiz is preparing himself for the Junior World Championships. PHOTO : FAIZ BASHA Despite being based on our sunny island, he is still dedicated to his training and progression to prepare himself for upcoming competitions such as the Junior World Championships. “Alpine Skiing is a recreational sport where skis are used to slide down snow covered slopes. On a competitive level, Alpine Skiing is a racing sport where sharp turns are introduced to make it a game of technique and strength rather than weight,” he described. “Contrary to what you’d assume, skiing is actually a very physically demanding full-body exercise. The strength needed to maintain balance and change momentum at speeds anywhere from 40km/h to 125km/h takes a lot of regular training, not to mention the added stamina needed to train in cold, oxygen-lacking environments.” For those of us who may not follow competitive skiing, Faiz designed a diagram that illustrates the various Alpine Ski racing events. Alpine ski racing events, for the benefit of those who are not familiar with competitive skiing. DIAGRAM: FAIZ BASHA He chose to focus on Slalom because it feels the fastest in terms of frequency. “There is a certain rhythm or dance that comes with punching the gates and gate combinations in such quick succession,” he shared. Faiz is seasonally based in the French Alps. During his training camps, he gets up early to commute up the mountain to set up courses with his coach before commencing training which then lasts for 6 - 7 hours. His evenings are spent servicing his skis to be sharpened and waxed to maintain their grip and speed. Faiz training at the Singapore Sports Hub's 100 Plus Promenade on inline skates, the next best option for training without snow. PHOTO: FAIZ BASHA When in Singapore, you can find him working on his speed at the Singapore Sports Hub’s 100Plus Promenade. “Sometimes I like to joke that I secretly train in Snow City, but so far I’ve found that the most effective way to train in Singapore is on inline skates.” “Though it doesn’t come close to simulating skiing, it does slow things down to a level where I can focus on my flaws and improve my technique, balance and reactions. I am also able to work on my speed by training on flat roads where there is no gravity and only my side to side forces to propel me forward.” Faiz and his mother, whom he credits for introducing him to skiing for the first time. PHOTO VIA FAIZ BASHA His competitive skiing journey began at three years old when his mother introduced him to skiing for the first time. His family had just moved to Switzerland on his father’s work posting. In a country with a strong ski culture, skiing was also part of the local Physical Education curriculum at his pre-school. Skiing was part of the physical education curriculum for Faiz Basha in pre-school. PHOTO: FAIZ BASHA In middle school, Faiz was selected for his school’s racing team. At first, he found it a struggle to keep up with his teammates and questioned his worthiness and place on the team. However, his mother motivated and pushed him to adopt an attitude to train harder instead of doubting his abilities and this led him to join a training camp where he spent weeks atop glaciers in isolation for training. Faiz Basha getting ready to take flight. PHOTO: FAIZ BASHA Faiz noticed a drastic improvement in his performance during this time. However, he also recounted this confidence boost as being a factor that resulted in a severe and traumatic crash. “I had a severe crash while at the Super-G race. My former coach said that I must have reached about 120km/h before losing control and crashing into the fence posts.” He had to be rescued by helicopter and undergo emergency surgery. In spite of the serious accident he went through, Faiz Basha hopes to find more committed skiers overseas and kickstart their competitive skiing development. PHOTO: FAIZ BASHA “The pain from the surgery was extreme, and I can still remember the many sleepless nights I had to endure in the hospital. Though it was easy to rehabilitate physically, it took many years to get through the trauma and regain my confidence.” With the support of his coaches, teammates and parents, Faiz managed to make a comeback and started achieving podium positions. He was later elected as a Team Captain in his final years of school before graduation. Despite this experience, Faiz is unable to see a future where skiing is not a part of his life. With the assistance and support from the Vice President (Alpine) of the Singapore Ski and Snowboard Association, he began competing at the FIS (International Ski Federation) leagues. He hopes to find more committed skiers overseas and kick start their competitive skiing development from a young age. “As a first generation skier I hope to pass down my experience to other Singaporeans in skiing or other snowsports.” #SportPlusSG #Sports #AlpineSkiing #FaizBasha

SportPlus.sg writers recount the female stars of the ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 tournament, amidst a sea of talented players Eyes on the prize for the mercurial Lim En Tong, who hails from SG Basketball Lions Club. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Having completed the difficult selection among the boys talent pool, we next turn our eyes to the top 10 girls from the U19 category of the ActiveSG Cup Basketball 3x3 tournament. Those who were physically present to witness the competition would know full well there was no love lost between teams, and the physicality in many a match is testament to that. Here we attempt to separate the wheat from the chaff, and identify 10 outstanding performers from the hundreds of warriors who did battle. Disclaimer: There are likely outstanding players beyond the 10 listed, as SportPlus.sg writers weren't physically present for the full duration of each match day. Here are our top 10 female performers for the Girls U19 basketball 3x3 tournament in no particular order. 10. Quek Jing Qian, Huskies Pink Jing Qian is a real leader among women. Technically strong, her presence brings an X factor to the Huskies Pink team. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS We begin with Quek Jing Qian of Huskies Pink, a true all-rounder and leader. Her team may not have made it to the finals at Our Tampines Hub, but that's not down to her fault as she always plays with her heart on her sleeve. Equally adept at dribbling with both left and right, Jing Qian is also incredibly reliable from the free throw line. 9. Mayuri, SBA Girls Mayuri's strong stature and lengthy frame has been the bane of many opposition attackers at the ActiveSG Cup Basketball 3x3 tournament. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Many basketball playing girls over the past month ran into a wall for the first time in their lives. The wall's name is Mayuri. Tall, strong and intimidating, SBA Girls' Mayuri isn't just a defensive rock who makes lives difficult for the opposition. Her good reading of the game also allows her to make many crucial interceptions to save her team's blushes. 8. Lekkar Lim, Team Bricks Lekkar Lim keeping focused on the basket ahead of her shot from the free throw line. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Hailing from another team that did not qualify for the Finals, Lekkar Lim of Team Bricks often uses her frame to her advantage. Regularly seen outmuscling her opponents in most 50-50 challenges, she is incredibly quick as well, reaching the ball in what are often seen by most as lost causes. A key player for her team. 7. Lily Drierer, Proform Black Proform Black's Lily Drierer proving that size does matter, or at least height does. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Arguably the tallest girl in the entire basketball 3x3 tournament, Lily Drierer makes up for an apparent lack of speed with incredible tenacity in her play. Who needs to be the fastest when you're blessed with arms and legs that take you just a split second to get you there? The queen of both offensive and defensive rebounds on court, Lily also ranks highly for blocks, steals and assists for her team Proform Black. 6. Shaniah Lacsado, SG Basketball Lions Shaniah getting ready to sink another shot in the Super League 3rd and 4th place playoff match at Our Tampines Hub. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS If shooting is your game, then Shaniah is the name. A sharp 3 point shooter, Shaniah Lacsado hails from SGBasketball Lions and is pretty much capable of scoring from anywhere on court. Using her teammates Jessie Nar and Lim En Tong as a foil, she also knows when to set her teammates up for an easy basket and has demonstrated great intelligence in her play. 5. Kayla, SBA Girls We have all lost count on the number of points Kayla has racked up over the course of the tournament. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Sporting sports eyewear that give her a distinct look, Kayla has perfect vision whenever she steps on court. The sharp shooter of SBA Girls has no qualms whatsoever in taking on opponents twice her size in a one-on-one. Even then, when she isn't busy sinking basket after basket from distance; she'll team up effectively with Mayuri as her screen to create space for others to sink those easy baskets. 4. Reah Serrano, Team Bricks Reah's incredible persistence and determination makes her a danger for any team who aren't mentally focused in any game. PHOTO: KIN Productions Throwing her body across the floor to make an important steal and pass to a teammate, Reah then proceeded to finish off the move she started in a match against Proform Black at ActiveSG Clementi Sport Centre. The moment encapsulates all that you need to know about Reah's mindset. A a fierce competitor on court who takes no prisoners, she does not know a lost cause when she sees one, and that alone has been the difference in key matches for Team Bricks during the tournament. 3. Engie Low, JEDZ Engie Low (right) on her way to the basket for JEDZ in the final of the Girls U19 Super League tournament. PHOTO: KIN Productions She may have a smaller stature compared to some of the other players, but physical size has never deterred Engie. Weaving between even the most steadfast of defenders, Engie constantly finds opportunities to drive in for a sneaky lay-up, often catching her opponents off guard. A star performer in JEDZ run to the Final of the Super League. 2. Lim En Tong, SG Basketball Lions En Tong looking towards a teammate for support in the 3rd and 4th Playoff at Our Tampines Hub. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Never afraid to shun a physical challenge in spite of her size, Lim En Tong is the heartbeat of her SG Basketball Lions side. Possessing strong technical skills, Lim also demonstrates impressive tactical acuity and maturity for her tender years. You will never see her ball watching or standing in the same spot twice, always getting ready to set up a teammate or going for those 3 pointers she is fast becoming known for. 1. Mindy Peck, Friends 1 Not just friends? There is nothing friendly about Mindy Peck's missiles from range. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS It is difficult to single out just one out of Friends 1's championship winning team for praise, but Mindy Peck personifies her team's ethic perfectly. Her 10 years of experience playing basketball has undoubtedly allowed her to hone her shooting and on-court awareness. Though she emphasises the value of teamwork in her team securing the win in the U19 Girls Super League finals, her sharp instincts on court mean she places herself at the right place at the right time to score, making her an invaluable asset to the team. About Basketball 3x3, ActiveSG Cup 2022 The ActiveSG Cup 2022 is a basketball tournament for youths 15-19 years-old. The Central and East Zones are organised by KIN Productions, with a centralised venue playing host to the qualifiers in each zone. ActiveSG Clementi Sport Centre is the centralised venue for the Central Zone and ActiveSG Pasir Ris Sport Centre is the official venue for the East Zone. The top two teams from each zone will qualify for the Super League, while the teams that rank third and fourth will qualify for the Prime League, with these taking place on 18 and 19 March, before a Grand Final to finish off the ActiveSG Cup action at Our Tampines Hub on 20 March. #SportPlusSG #ActiveSGCup2022 #Basketball #SportsEvents

SportPlus.sg writers look back on some outstanding performances at the ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 tournament over the past 6 weeks, to do the difficult job of selection U19 Boys Super League finalists Team Seafood and Proform Gold make up the bulk of the top 10 players on our list. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Choosing the outstanding performers of any basketball tournament is an uneviable task, let alone one that has been filled with courageous performances and passionate displays from all corners of Singapore. However, a job is a job, and as SportPlus.sg has been tasked to single out the top 10 players for both the boys and the girls, our writers wrapped our heads around identifying ten from both the boys and the girls competitions who have caught our eye. This list is by no means comprehensive, as there were far too many outstanding performances and individuals worthy of mention. Without belabouring the point, here are the top 10 male performers for the Boys U19 basketball 3x3 tournament in no particular order. 10. Pratyush, NPS Jaguars Pratyush keeping an eye on the defender before selling the dummy, he has been the focal point of many of NPS Jaguars offensive moves. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS An all-action player, Pratyush is always at the focal point of NPS Jaguars team moves. Demonstrating strong ball handling skills, this boy is a key playmaker for the Jaguars, great at defending as well and has a high conversion rate from the free throw line. 9. Sullivan, Kaixuan Black Kaixuan Black's Sullivan makes everyone believe that he can fly on court. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Sullivan is not shy when it comes to giving his opponents the shimmy as he moves one way while his opponent goes the other and with gravity working for him, a slight flick of his wrist as he ushers the ball into the hoop. The best part of Sullivan's game is attracting defenders to him, which leaves his teammates like Rae open for an easy jump shot. 8. Teo Yung Juen, Team Seafood Yung Juen's dominance in the air has been crucial in Team Seafood's progress into the latter stages of the tournament. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Teo Yung Juen may be a man of few words and possesses a quiet demeanour, but he can more than hold his own against any customer on court. His aerial dominance is an asset for Seafood, definitely ranking among the top 5 in the tournament for both offensive and defensive rebounds. 7. Jake Johnson, Fastbreak Black Jake's on-court charisma makes him impossible to ignore as an opponent. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Arguably the 3-point shooter of the tournament, Jake Johnson, who hails from Fastbreak Black is a key player for the boys who hail from the Northeast of Singapore. Quick-footed and always on the move, it is difficult to predict where he would be next before he lets fly another one of his famed trey balls. 6. Eugimiel, Team Fried Food The best part of Eugimiel’s game is his incredible gas tank. He never seems to tire out, so if you ever face Eugimiel and his team, Friedfood, be prepared to keep running for the whole game. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS The humble guy in the group that turns into “beast mode” when the referee blows his whistle, Eugimiel, is the best example of the incredible hulk when it comes to this tournament. Even though he doesn’t have the same physique as the strongest avenger, Eugimiel comes out smashing in every game by making sure that he is always fighting for every rebound, and he can barge aside defenders when going in for a lay-up. 5. Zach, Proform Gold Zach believes the best way to get in the zone is by just staying focused, even if it means making sure he’s emotionless for that whole period. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS There’s a former F1 driver named Kimi Räikkönen, aka The Iceman, who is renowned for his ice-cool veins in moments of pressure on the track. If you ever need to see such composure on a basketball court, we give you Zach, or as many would call him, Mr Three Pointer. With a mindset of staying focused and his ability to find a shot from anywhere on the court, Zach possesses a serious threat against any opponent he faces. 4. Crouse, Team Galaxy Crouse never gives you an inch of space when defending, as he’s always close to his man throughout the game. The only way to “try” to get past him is to claw your way past literally. PHOTO: KIN Productions Crouse comes in as captain material. Admired by his teammates and a morale booster in games, Crouse is always ready to pick up the pieces and help his team get the win in most of Team Galaxy’s fixtures. The only way to “try” to get past him is to claw your way past literally. The fact is in the claw marks on his arms after every game. Crouse gives you an attacking option, with his pace and strength, allowing him to get fouls and sink those free throws. A whole rounded player that definitely sets any court alight. 3. Rajata Hakim, Proform Gold At just 18 years of age, Rajata Hakim has been one of the star performers of the entire U19 tournament. PHOTO: KIN Productions Sporting an unmissable afro on court, Rajata Hakim isn't the biggest player on court. He does have one of the biggest hearts however. Making up for his lack of size with incredible mobility and agility, Hakim draws his defenders away to create space for his Proform teammates to exploit. Usually playing as a point guard in a 5-aside game, Hakim is also a sharp shooter from anywhere on court. 2. Shayan Levi, Team Seafood Shayan Levi has been a revelation at the ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 U19 Boys tournament. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Another incredible sharp shooter, Shayan Levi of Team Seafood brings with him energy levels that is capable of lifting any team. Weaving in and out of the opposition's defence, Shayan is equally adept both at driving straight to the basket or dropping deep to orchestrate play. A real gem of a player for the already star-studded squad of Team Seafood. 1. Max, Proform Gold Max takes no prisoners and his physicality has been difficult for opposition defences to deal with. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Max's build and stature on the court make him unplayable at times, primarily when your aim is to get onto rebounds. That does not mean he waits for the rebounds; Max makes sure that everyone gets to see how he lays waste to his opponents as he makes his way to get hoop all by himself. If you ever need proper strength in your team, Max is your man! About Basketball 3x3, ActiveSG Cup 2022 The ActiveSG Cup 2022 is a basketball tournament for youths 15-19 years-old. The Central and East Zones are organised by KIN Productions, with a centralised venue playing host to the qualifiers in each zone. ActiveSG Clementi Sport Centre is the centralised venue for the Central Zone and ActiveSG Pasir Ris Sport Centre is the official venue for the East Zone. The top two teams from each zone will qualify for the Super League, while the teams that rank third and fourth will qualify for the Prime League, with these taking place on 18 and 19 March, before a Grand Final to finish off the ActiveSG Cup action at Our Tampines Hub on 20 March. #SportPlusSG #ActiveSGCup2022 #Basketball #SportsEvents

U19 Boys put up a stunning fight alongside teams from the U19 Girls, and U16 categories in the Finals of the ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 tournament Proform Gold made history by becoming the first champions of the ActiveSG Cup Basketball 3x3 tournament. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Singapore, 21 March 2022 — Proform Gold displayed a gold standard of basketball to beat Seafood 16-15 and claim first place in the U19 Boys Super League on the final day of the ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 competition (20 Mar). The easing of Covid-19 safe management measures came just in time to allow members of the public to witness the final showdown held at the Our Tampines Hub atrium, generating an electric atmosphere. However, the match was far from easy for the players as they had to deal with the pressure of performing on such a public stage while facing stiff competition. The ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 Finals at Our Tampines Hub witnessed the top 4 teams from each of the Boys and Girls U16 and U19 Prime League and Super League categories. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Rajata Hakim, Proform Gold, said, “This is probably the biggest stage we’ve all ever been on, so just to get to do what we love on such a big level, it feels really good.” The match itself was akin to a talent show, with both teams putting up an incredible display of their skills and seamless teamwork. Though Proform Gold took the early lead and managed to maintain it for the whole match, Seafood were never far behind—even managing to level the points at 13-all halfway through the proceedings. Proform Black took the Girls U16 Super League title. They faced the stiff challenge of fellow West Zone side Ice Mountain. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Reflecting on the match, Teo Yung Juen from Seafood said, “We didn’t have any training prior to this competition, so we were sort of unprepared for what we faced today. But on the other hand, our team fought hard and we gave it our all during the matches. But in the end the better team won.” Acknowledging Seafood, Rajata said, “They are the best opponent we’ve had so far, so that makes it special for us because we beat a tough opponent and it feels good.” With full confidence in their abilities to win, both teams showed remarkable commitment to the cause throughout the last few weeks of competition, always persevering despite facing obstacles such as contracting Covid-19, dealing with injuries and other commitments. The ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 reached its climax in its Finals at Our Tampines Hub on Sun, 20 March 2022. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS “Players actually took time off, including one of my teammates who is currently serving in the army,” said Yung Juen. On behalf of Proform Gold, Soren Jensen said, “It just speaks of how we’ve just come together—when one person’s out, everyone else steps up and carries through.” Team 828 clinched the U16 Boys Super League title. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS In the U16 Boys Super League Finals, Team 828 beat Team AC 20-17. Speaking to Sportplus after the match, Lorcan Hyndman from Team 828 said, “We feel pretty good. This was our end goal, for us to do this, yeah we’re very happy with it.” Proform Black beat Ice Mountain 14-10 in what was a nerve-wracking match, to win the U16 Girls Super League. “Some of us were super super nervous, but it was all worth it in the end,” said Emily Lim, from Proform Black. The U19 Girls Super League title was taken by Friends 1 as they beat JEDZ 15-5. Mindy Peck from Friends 1 said, “I think my team has done pretty well, we played together, really helping each other.” The Girls U19 Super League Final saw Friends sweep aside JEDS 15-5 to be crowned as first time champions. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS The competition as a whole has undoubtedly been memorable for all the teams, and those crowned champions are undeniably worthy winners. For Proform Gold, winning the finals was particularly significant. “I feel like we’ve had the chance to show our skills. We’re not a local club, so not many people from Singapore know about us, we’re an international club. So now, we’ve made it to the local scene and made a name for ourselves,” said Rajata. Tampines Hub welcomed back the return of team sport with the ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 tournament. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS After five weeks of competition, the players will now take a well-deserved rest before some of them begin preparing for the upcoming National School Games. ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 Full Results from Sun, 20 March 2022 Our Tampines Hub Prime League, Boys U16 Winners - The Imported Ones 2nd - Sky Scrapers 3rd - Chicken Stripes 4th - Whye Nam Prime League, Girls U16 Winners - PowerpuffGirls 2nd - Dumbo 3rd - Egg Tarts 4th - Airballers Prime League, Boys U19 Winners - Friedfood 2nd - Hustlers 3rd - Galaxy 4th - Goons Prime League, Girls U19 Winners - Friends 2 2nd - Friends 3 3rd - Zeno 4th - Mala Mothers Super League, Boys U16 Winners - Team 828 2nd - Team AC 3rd - Anything 4th - SGBasketball Sapphire Super League, Girls U16 Winners - Proform Black 2nd - Ice Mountain 3rd - Apple Tart 4th - The Nun Super League, Boys U19 Winners - Proform Gold 2nd - Seafood 3rd - Fastbreak Black 4th - Jailblazers Super League, Girls U19 Winners - Friends 1 2nd - JEDZ 3rd - SG Basketball 4th - SBA Girls Friends vs JEDZ in the Girls U19 Super League Final, ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 tournament. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS About Basketball 3x3, ActiveSG Cup 2022 The ActiveSG Cup 2022 is a basketball tournament for youths 15-19 years-old. The Central and East Zones are organised by KIN Productions, with a centralised venue playing host to the qualifiers in each zone. ActiveSG Clementi Sport Centre is the centralised venue for the Central Zone and ActiveSG Pasir Ris Sport Centre is the official venue for the East Zone. The top two teams from each zone will qualify for the Super League, while the teams that rank third and fourth will qualify for the Prime League, with these taking place on 18 and 19 March, before a Grand Final to finish off the ActiveSG Cup action at Our Tampines Hub on 20 March. #SportPlusSG #ActiveSGCup2022 #Basketball #SportsEvents

Former competitive body builder pursues passion in indoor rowing after initially failing at completing a challenge from Men's Health magazine Jeremy Tan pursued his passion for competitive indoor rowing after stumbling upon it as a fitness challenge from Men's Health magazine. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG If you are someone who frequents the gym often, you may be familiar with the rowing machine. If you have given it a try, but did not find it that challenging however, you may have done it wrong. That is according to Jeremy Tan, the co-founder of Singapore's only indoor rowing gym studio, who has represented Singapore at multiple editions of the World Indoor Rowing Championships. A former competitive bodybuilder, Tan first got curious about indoor rowing when he found the sport listed as one of seven fitness tests of the world in an article he was reading in Men's Health magazine. The challenge that was laid out before him required him to row 2,000 metres under 7 minutes, something he felt would not be difficult for him to achieve given his strong fitness background. He was sadly mistaken and struggled to complete the challenge. The experience did however begin to fuel his passion for indoor rowing, and the desire to train hard for it. Jeremy Tan is the co-founder of The Row Space, Singapore's only indoor rowing gym studio. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG In 2020, Tan found out about the first World Indoor Championships that was to be held in Paris and decided to take a leap of faith to compete in the championships. He finished a very respectable 15th out of 98 competitors from around the world. Tan did not finish there, and decided to compete again in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic in the virtual edition of the world championships. Indoor rowing is a low impact full body workout compared to other sports like running. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG With more stringent rules this time, he had to participate in the Asian qualifiers in order to compete at the world championships, where only the winner of each age bracket from the continent would get to participate - a feat which Tan successfully accomplished. Supported by a strong local fitness community, Tan co-founded The Row Space, Singapore's only indoor rowing gym, an off shoot of Pulse Lab, which was also founded by him. How good of a workout is indoor rowing? But just how good of a workout is indoor rowing exactly? According to Tan, rowing for 30 minutes would guarantee that one is already using 86% of the body's muscles. It is also far from being just an arm workout, with your legs, your core, your back and your arms all being engaged to complete the session. Fun fact: 30 minutes of rowing gets you working about 86% of your body's muscles. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Perhaps what makes it an ideal workout choice for those with joint pain and aches is that it is classified as a low impact sport, unlike running. To find out more about indoor rowing or The Row Space, you can read our feature on the gym here. Watch the Indoor Rowing Bermuda Triangle Fitness Challenge Showdown Episode between Team Cheryl and Team John on Studio+ ! #SportPlusSG #Fitness #IndoorRowing #JeremyTan #TheRowSpace

Former national olympic lifter turns attention to helping high performance athletes with strength and conditioning training Founder and Head Coach of Solitude of Strength, Lewis Chua is an 11-time national olympic lifting champion. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG He is an 11-time national champion and a Singapore national olympic weightlifter who represented the country at the Commonwealth Games. Beneath the dry humour and tattooed frame, Lewis Chua is a fierce competitor both in and out of the arena, one of the fundamental reasons he decide the pursue the life of an olympic weightlifting athlete. It all started when Chua was 13 years-old, when his best friend brought him to the gym, and he really enjoyed the experience. Having incredible leg strength as a child, he was then scouted into the national team to do competitive olympic lifting, and the rest as they say is history. Helping High Performance Athletes With those days behind him now, Chua turns his attentions to coaching and helping high performance athletes with strength and conditioning training. Lewis Chua enjoyed strength training ever since his best friend brought him to the gym when he was 13 years-old. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG This was a key reason behind the founding of Singapore functional fitness training gym Solitude of Strength, where Chua is also head coach. So what do beginners who are curious about trying out olympic weightlifting need to know? Chua shared: "Be patient, it is very dry to start off with. But once you start practising and getting better, the movement is actually really graceful." Lewis Chua had incredible leg strength as a child, and it did not take long before he was scouted into the Singapore national team. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG And while some may be intimidated to try, Chua insists that it is not as difficult as it looks, so long as you are properly looked after by professionals. For lessons in olypic weightlifting, or other strength and conditioning training, you may wish to make a visit to Solitude of Strength, located at 48 Woodleigh Park, Unit #6, The Arena, Singapore 357844. #SportPlusSG #Fitness #OlympicLifting #LewisChua

The 6-time SEA Games gold-medallist will be competing at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China this September Amanda Lim all smiles after making the Asian Games ‘A’ cut in the Women’s 50m Freestyle. PHOTO: ANDY CHUA, SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION Singapore, 20 March 2022 – The penultimate day of competition of the Liberty Insurance 52nd SNAG Major Games Qualifier at the OCBC Aquatic Centre on Saturday, 19 March, saw the region’s fastest woman and 6-time SEA Games gold-medallist, Amanda Lim, seal her spot at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China this September. Lim, 29, clinched her ticket in her pet event, the Women’s 50m freestyle, when she touched the wall first in the final in exactly 25.48s, the time needed for the Asian Games ‘A’ cut. The Chief Inspiration Officer at Athlete Inc (AI) Academy, said, “I came into the race, wanting to do a personal best, and make the Asian Games ‘A’ cut and qualify, so those were my goals. I was a little bit disappointed with my race today, but at the end of the day, the objective was achieved, so right now I will be taking two days break and then go back to the drawing block and see what can be done better from now till Asian Games.” This will be Amanda’s fourth Asian Games, having swam at Guangzhou in 2010, Incheon in 2014 and Jakarta four years ago. "It has been a very long journey, but every year and every games, it is a very different experience. When I was younger, it felt like I was just going through the routine, following blindly whatever the coach wants me to do and I will just do it and just swim," Lim said. Amanda Lim getting ready to compete in the Women’s 50m Freestyle at the 52nd Liberty Insurance SNAG Major Games Qualifier. PHOTO: ANDY CHUA, SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION "However, in the past two to three years, maybe it’s because of maturity or probably just because I am older, I approach everything with more purpose and more intent, the goal is clearer, every training has a very specific goal, and what I want is also very specific and important, so the past few years have been very different as compared to 2010”, she added. Gustavo Schirru, National Training Centre Assistant Coach, and dedicated coach to the sprinters, said, “Her progression this year has been awesome, I was expecting her to go faster, but what matters is that she made the cut, and that was our primary goal. I have confidence that she can go faster, and I will be working with her to figure out where we can improve for her to go faster.” Also making the Asian Games ‘A’ cut was the Men’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay team – Glen Lim, Jonathan Tan, Ardi Azman and Quah Zheng Wen. Their individual timings in the Men’s 200m freestyle – Glen (1:49.69s), Jonathan (1:50.34s), Ardi (1:50.35s) and Zheng Wen (1:51.00s)- was good enough for a total combined time of 7.21.38s, well below the Asian Games ‘A’ qualifying mark of 7:32.02s. The final day of the Liberty Insurance 52nd SNAG Major Games Qualifier will see the Men’s 50m and 800m Freestyle and the 200m Butterfly, and the Women’s 100m Breaststroke and Butterfly. The Liberty Insurance 52nd SNAG Major Games Qualifier is open to up to 200 fully vaccinated spectators, and live streamed here. #SportPlusSG #Swimming #SNAG2022

JEDZ take on Friends 1 in Girls U19 Super League Final as battle-ready players rally for final push on final day at Our Tampines Hub Team Seafood's Shayan Levi has played a pivotal role in his team's zonal success in the East Zone, ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 tournament. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Singapore, 20 March 2022 - The stage has been set at Our Tampines Hub. Following six weeks of intense basketball competition, 32 teams from across five zones make their way to the East today, with four of them staking a claim to become the first ever champions of the ActiveSG Cup. Proform Gold's Rajata Hakim goes for three. Hakim's movement into pockets of spaces have made him a difficult customer to handle in the ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 tournament. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Proform Gold and Team Seafood have blazed a trail to the grand final of the tournament, having brushed aside the competition in their respective Central and East Zones en route to the showpiece event. Cool as ice is Seafood's Jayson Tan. His laid back demeanour makes him hard to predict for when he springs into life on court. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Proform Gold will lay siege on Team Seafood led by the presence of the towering Max who has proven to be more than a handful for most of Proform Gold's opponents. He will be supported by Zach's sharp shooting and nifty footwork and quick movement of Rajata Hakim, who really shone in the Super League on Saturday. Proform Gold's Unstoppable Max when he gets in the zone, his massive presence and physical aggression makes him hard to defend against. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS But they will do well not to underestimate Team Seafood's boys-next-door appearances, this is a team of skilled ballers who have stormed to victories of huge margins week in and week out, and have had arguably demonstrated the best teamwork of the lot. King of the Air. Team Seafood's Teo Yung Juen showing his aerial dominance and has one of the highest offensive rebound percentages in the league. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Yung Juen and Jayson Tan have led the line by example, while Shayan Levi's incredible precision shooting from near and far makes him a huge threat from any area of the court. Joachim Teoh will be the foil on which the team pivots and orchestrates the play, a real leader by example. Proform Gold's Zach knows how to use his body well in every duel on court. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Girls Looking to Prove a Point If you are expecting the Girls' competition to be anywhere less fiery, you will be in for a rude shock. Not just technically strong, the girls do not shun away from physical challenges as well, and have thrown their bodies on the line. While JEDZ and Friends 1 have worked hard to stake a claim in today's final, their route to winning their respective groups was far from easy, having to fend off the threats of tough opponents in the form of SG Basketball and SBA Girls (in white). Friends 1 take on Rubies in the Girls U19 Super League competition at ActiveSG Clementi Sport Centre on Saturday. SGBasketball, who hail from the West Zone have to settle for the 3rd and 4th playoff after finishing behind JEDZ in their group, but with the likes of Lim En Tong and Shaniah Lacsado are more than capable of holding their own, while SBA Basketball will be looking to the likes of Mayuri and Kayla in their quest to finish third in the U19 Super League. SGBasketball battling against finalist JEDZ in the Girls U19 Super League competition at ActiveSG Clementi Sport Centre on Saturday. Those who are looking to catch the U19 Girls Super League finals can do so at 5.15pm today at the Festive Plaza of Our Tampines Hub. Stay tuned to SportPlus.sg for our Top 15 Players feature of ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 tournament coming next week! U19 Boys Super League Finalists Team Seafood sharing their thoughts with SportPlus.sg post match on Saturday at ActiveSG Clementi Sport Centre. ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 Full Fixtures for Sun, 20 March 2022 Festive Plaza, Our Tampines Hub Prime League 9:00am - U16 Girls 3rd & 4th Playoff: Airballers (North-East) vs Egg Tarts (North) 9:30am - U16 Boys 3rd & 4th Playoff: Whye Nam (West) vs Chicken Stripes (North-East) 10:00am - U19 Girls 3rd & 4th Playoff: Zeno (West) vs Mala Mothers (North-East) 10:30am - U19 Boys 3rd & 4th Playoff: Goons (East) vs Galaxy (Central) Super League 11:15am - U16 Girls 3rd & 4th Playoff: The Nun (North) vs Apple Tart (North) 11:45am - U16 Boys 3rd & 4th Playoff: Anything (North-East) vs SGBasketball Sapphire (East) 12:15pm - U19 Girls 3rd & 4th Playoff: SGBasketball (West) vs SBA Girls (North) 12:45pm - U19 Boys 3rd & 4th Playoff: Fastbreak Black (North-East) vs Jailblazers (North-East) Prime League 1:40pm - U16 Girls Final: Dumbo (West) vs Powerpuff Girls (North-east) 2:10pm - U16 Boys Final: the Imported Ones (East) vs Sky Scrapers (Central) 2:40pm - U19 Girls Final: Friends 2 (North) vs Friends 3 (North-East) 3:10pm - U19 Boys Final: Friendfood (Central) vs Hustlers (North-east) Super League 3:55pm - U16 Girls Final: Proform Black (West) vs Ice Mountain (West) 4:25pm - U16 Boys Final: Team 828 (Central) vs Team AC (North-east) 5:15pm - U19 Girls Final: JEDZ (North-east) vs Friends (West) 5:45pm - U19 Boys Final: Seafood (East) vs Proform Gold (Central) About Basketball 3x3, ActiveSG Cup 2022 The ActiveSG Cup 2022 is a basketball tournament for youths 15-19 years-old. The Central and East Zones are organised by KIN Productions, with a centralised venue playing host to the qualifiers in each zone. ActiveSG Clementi Sport Centre is the centralised venue for the Central Zone and ActiveSG Pasir Ris Sport Centre is the official venue for the East Zone. The top two teams from each zone will qualify for the Super League, while the teams that rank third and fourth will qualify for the Prime League, with these taking place on 18 and 19 March, before a Grand Final to finish off the ActiveSG Cup action at Our Tampines Hub on 20 March. #SportPlusSG #ActiveSGCup2022 #Basketball #SportsEvents

A share of the spoils for the Jaguars and Eagles as Hazzuwan Halim’s equaliser for Geylang International cancels out Reo Nishiguchi’s fourth goal of the season for Tanjong Pagar United Hazzuwan Halim celebrates his first goal for Geylang International which helped his team draw level with the Jaguars. PHOTO: AIA SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE Singapore, 20 March 2022 - League leaders Tanjong Pagar United were held to an eventful 1-1 draw at the Jurong East Stadium by a resilient Geylang International on Saturday evening. With the result, the Jaguars go one point clear of last season’s title contenders Lion City Sailors and Albirex Niigata (S), after four games played in a season comprising 28 matches. Head coach Hasrin Jailani, 46, refused to talk up his team’s chances despite defying all expectations with their unbeaten start, upsetting title-contenders Albirex in the process. “Honestly, we are taking it one game at a time for now, to stay focused and not look beyond that yet. Maybe if we have the full team with Shakir (Hamzah) back, then we can aim a little bit higher,” he said. The Jaguars made three changes from the team that defeated Balestier Khalsa in a 5-3 thriller last weekend. Midfielder Faizal Raffi, 26, and forward Syukri Bashir, 23, came in for Fathullah Rahmat, 19, and Khairul Amri, 37 respectively. Defender Naufal Ilham, 19, filled in as the mandatory under-23 starter with wing-back Shodai Nishikawa, 28, ruled out. Geylang, using a 4-4-2 shape, made just one alteration from their 3-2 defeat at the Hougang Stadium last time out with experienced defender Abdil Qaiyyim, 32, replacing Ahmad Syahir, 29, in defence. Croatian Sime Zuzul, 26, and Frenchman Vincent Bezecourt, 28, led the line for the Eagles. The dynamic duo nearly started proceedings for the evening in the eighth minute. An accurate pullback from Zuzul found Bezecourt, a former Major League Soccer Supporters’ Shield winner with the New York Red Bulls, whose left-footed strike narrowly sailed over the bar. Thereafter, Jaguars left wing-back Aqhari Abdullah found Syukri Bashir in the six-yard box, but the latter’s effort was smartly saved by Geylang goalkeeper Zaiful Nizam. Aqhari then found himself in referee Ahmad A’Qashah’s book after bringing down right-back Fadli Kamis on the halfway line advancing forward with intent. Chances were exchanged evenly on both ends, as Geylang’s Takahiro Tezuka saw his free kick in the 26th minute parried for a corner, before Tanjong Pagar’s Reo Nishiguchi’s speculative half volley from distance went wide of the post. Tanjong Pagar almost went in front before the break, when Nishiguchi received the ball on the edge of the penalty box. Dribbling past surrounding defenders with ease, the 24-year-old forward rolled the ball across goal with his left foot, only for Zaiful Nizam to parry it against the post. Blake Riccuito has continued to play a pivotal role for the Jaguars this season, as part of their resurgence. PHOTO: AIA SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE Nishiguchi again went close on two occasions after the restart, seeing his free-kick saved by Tanjong Pagar custodian Zharfan Rohaizad on the 53rd minute mark, before flashing a left-footed shot struck on the half-volley wide of the post shortly after. Geylang nearly had a freak goal of their own, when left-back Faizal Roslan sent in a cross-cum-shot from the left flank, leaving Zharfan scrambling back to his goal-line. The delivery crashed against the upright much to the goalkeeper’s relief. Drama struck on the hour mark, when the away side had a penalty claim awarded against them when substitute Ahmad Syahir had a coming together with Jaguars defender Shahrin Saberin inside the penalty box. Referee Ahmad A’Qashah awarded a freekick in favour of Tanjong Pagar, drawing the ire of the passionate Ultras Eagles, Geylang’s hardcore fan group. Just minutes later, Reo Nishiguchi would finally get his name on the scoresheet, latching onto a lofted through ball launched from deep by Tanjong Pagar midfielder Mirko Sugic. The Japanese forward effortlessly shrugged off a flailing Abdil Qaiyyim, before giving the home side the advantage with a composed finish that nestled into the back of the net. Geylang manager Noor Ali signalled for a change of tactics during the 64th minute, bringing off midfielder Huzaifah Aziz for forward Fareez Farhan in an attacking change, with Bezecourt dropping deeper into a midfield role. Ten minutes later, that decision led to the eventual equaliser. Substitute Fareez Farhan received the ball on the counter, striding towards goal before releasing a cross-field pass for winger Hazzuwan Halim inside the right edge of the penalty box. The latter then struck a first-time finessed effort on his left foot that sneaked into the net via the post, leaving Zharfan rooted to the spot. Reo Nishiguchi celebrates his fourth goal of the season as his goal put Tanjong Pagar United ahead. PHOTO: AIA SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE Both sides pushed on for a winner in the closing stages of a match that could have gone either way. Tanjong Pagar were awarded a corner in the last minute of injury time, but Raihan Rahman puzzlingly decided to take a short corner to waste time instead of creating a final chance for the Jaguars; earning himself a yellow card in the process. The match ended in a draw, an honourable result for each of the league’s two most in-form teams. Eagles head coach Noor Ali was pleased with his new-look team’s performance despite the draw. “I think it’s only three games in the season, we had quite a number of new players coming in and it’s good to see some really positive performances,” he said. “Tezuka is one player that has been excellent for us throughout the three games. He always wants to do more and more … he’s the midfield general for us and hopefully he can keep this up over the course of the season,” the 46-year-old added. On the other end, Tanjong Pagar coach Hasrin Jailani cited the upcoming international break as a good time to refocus the team. “This two-week break is important. The morale of the team is high as we are still unbeaten. Nobody was called up for the national team, so we will have the full two weeks to prepare,” he said. Picking up his third assist of the season to Reo Nishiguchi, 27-year-old midfielder Mirko Sugic has had a flying start to the season ever since arriving from Croatia just last month; scoring two crucial goals against Balestier last weekend. Tanjong Pagar United stay top of the Singapore Premier League after Saturday's round of matches from Matchweek 4. PHOTO: AIA SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE Yet the Tanjong Pagar midfielder was humble in assessing his own display. “My performance was not so good today because it was the hottest game I experienced. I struggled with the moments, but that ball to Reo was not so much about me. Reo had like almost 80% of the job to finish, it wasn’t a clear chance for him,” Sugic said. “Football is not an individual sport and I’m glad we had team chemistry today. We are still top of the table and that’s all that matters,” he added. The SPL will take a two-week international break before resuming in April. The Jaguars will play Young Lions at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday (Apr 2) at 5.30pm, looking to strengthen their position at the top. Geylang will host fierce rivals Tampines Rovers at Our Tampines Hub in the Eastern derby in what could be a feisty encounter on the same day and time. Writer’s Assessment Geylang’s drastically revamped squad raised a few eyebrows before the season began, with many fans remaining sceptical about their chances. Seven of the 11 starting players yesterday were new additions to the team. Foreign players Sime Zuzul and Vincent Bezecourt will be key in their push for an AFC-Cup berth this campaign, after a disappointing sixth-place finish last season. Setting up in a 4-4-2 base formation, Noor Ali seems to have found balance in attack and defence. With well-drilled attacking patterns including underlapping fullbacks to create chances, Geylang are not as reliant on individual quality to bail them out unlike last season. With two compact blocks of four off the ball, opposition teams are forced to be innovative to breach the Eagles in their defensive phase. Japanese midfield general Takahiro Tezuka has settled in brilliantly for the Eagles since signing from Albirex. The 23-year-old’s ability to dictate play from midfield fills the void left by Barry Maguire, now playing for FC Den Bosch in Netherlands’ Eerste Divisie. Making smart decisions under pressure and spraying accurate passes on transitions, Tezuka could prove to be one of the signings of the season. Having already upset the reigning SPL champions, expect Geylang to go from strength to strength as they push for a top-four finish with this new crop of players. AIA Singapore Premier League 2022 Other Matchweek 4 Results Tampines Rovers 7-1 GHougang United Fri, 18 Mar 2022, Our Tampines Hub Balestier Khalsa 4-3 Young Lions Sat, 19 Mar 2022, Toa Payoh Stadium #SportPlusSG #Football #SingaporePremierLeague #SingaporeFootball

Powerpuffgirls to face Group A winners Dumbo in a match to decide first and second place for the U16 Girls Basketball 3x3 Prime League Powerpuffgirls dominant in Group B for the U16 Girls Prime League, ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 tournament. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS 19 March 2022, Singapore - Team Powerpuffgirls may not have super powers like their namesakes, but they certainly reigned supreme in Group B of the ActiveSG Cup Basketball 3x3 tournament for the Prime League U16 Girls category. Their unbeaten run yesterday means they have qualified for the Prime League Finals to be held tomorrow (20 Mar), where they will face the top team of Group A—Dumbo—in a match to decide first and second place. Clean Sweep for Powerpuffgirls Although Powerpuffgirls won in a clean sweep, their opponents still gave them a run for their money. In fact, their match against Egg Tart, which sealed their place at the top of the group, was the toughest of the day. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Holding a comfortable lead of 5-1 at the halfway point of the match, Powerpuffgirls seemed to be in control. Egg Tart then turned up the pressure in the second half, netting five more points for themselves. Yet, Powerpuffgirls withstood the threat from their opponents and eventually emerged victorious with a scoreline of 8-6. When asked about their reason for joining the competition, Grace Hoh from Powerpuffgirls humorously said “money”, referring to the prizes to be won in the finals. But her teammate, Anthea Siow, added that they also joined to gain competitive experience. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS Preparation for National School Games “Our coach asked us to join to prepare for the National School Games,” she said. Powerpuffgirls are eager to win the finals tomorrow, but the players still plan to have a good rest today. “We won’t meet up because Saturday is like family bonding time,” said Shayanne Tan. Powerpuffgirls will face Dumbo on Sunday to determine who wins the U16 Girls Prime League. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS While the top two teams of every group have their final matches tomorrow, yesterday was the last day of competition for the rest of the teams. Some of them, like Alibaba, just narrowly missed out on qualifying for a spot in tomorrow’s proceedings. Though Alibaba won the same number of matches as the second-placed team in the U16 Girls Group A, Airballers, their loss against Airballers meant they had to settle for third. Alibaba narrowly missed out on qualification based on head-to-head, but have found the competition a fruitful experience. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS However, for Alibaba, the competition has still been a fruitful experience. “Even though we didn’t make it to the finals I think we played really well. And we actually played quite hard, so third [in the U16 Girls Group A] is not bad,” said Lin Lixuan, “Plus, it’s our first time joining such competitions outside school. We’re not used to the format so it was quite decent. I think we exceeded my expectations.” Simply being able to compete was a welcome opportunity for Lixuan. As the pandemic began when she was in Secondary One, she still has yet to take part in the National School Games at the Secondary School level as the basketball competitions were cancelled in both 2020 and 2021. PHOTO: KIN PRODUCTIONS “That was a bummer,” she said, “but we’re quite lucky to have competitions this year, hopefully it doesn’t get cancelled. With 3x3, I guess players that don’t get as much exposure know what it’s gonna be like during competition.” Tomorrow, the best teams in Singapore will take part in a showdown to decide who emerges victorious overall and provide a fitting end to five weekends of intense competition. ActiveSG Cup 2022 Basketball 3x3 Top Teams from Fri, 19 March 2022 Prime League ActiveSG Clementi Sport Hall U16 Girls Group A Winner : Dumbo Runner-up : Airballers U16 Girls Group B Winner : Powerpuffgirls Runner-up : Egg Tart U19 Girls Group A Winner - Friends 3 Runner-up - Zeno U19 Girls Group B Winner - Friends 2 Runner-up - Mala Mothers U16 Boys Group A Winner - The Imported Ones Runner-up - Whye Nam U16 Boys Group B Winner - Skyscrapers Runner-up - Chicken Stripes U19 Boys Group A Winner - Friedfood Runner-up - Goons U19 Boys Group B Winner - Hustlers Runner-up - Galaxy About Basketball 3x3, ActiveSG Cup 2022 The ActiveSG Cup 2022 is a basketball tournament for youths 15-19 years-old. The Central and East Zones are organised by KIN Productions, with a centralised venue playing host to the qualifiers in each zone. ActiveSG Clementi Sport Centre is the centralised venue for the Central Zone and ActiveSG Pasir Ris Sport Centre is the official venue for the East Zone. The top two teams from each zone will qualify for the Super League, while the teams that rank third and fourth will qualify for the Prime League, with these taking place on 18 and 19 March, before a Grand Final to finish off the ActiveSG Cup action at Our Tampines Hub on 20 March. #SportPlusSG #ActiveSGCup2022 #Basketball #SportsEvents

Joseph Schooling to defend Asian Games Gold Medal after clinching his ticket to Hangzhou with a superb swim on day 3 at Liberty Insurance 52nd SNAG Games Qualifier Joseph Schooling will be in Hangzhou, China to defend his Asian Games Gold Medal after qualifying at the Liberty Insurance 52nd SNAG Games Qualifier. PHOTO: ANDY CHUA, SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION Singapore, 17 March 2022 – Defending Asian Games gold medallist in the Men’s 100m Butterfly, Joseph Schooling, will be back to defend his title this September in Hangzhou, China, after sealing his ticket with a superb swim on Day 3 of the Liberty Insurance 52nd SNAG Major Games Qualifier on Thursday at the OCBC Aquatic Centre. Despite finishing second in the Men’s 100m Butterfly final to Teong Tzen Wei, the 27-year-old clocked a time of 52.09s to meet the Asian Games ‘A’ Qualifying mark of 53.00s. Tzen Wei had clocked a winning time of 52.04s. Also joining Schooling and Tzen Wei in making the cut were Quah Zheng Wen in third place and Ong Jung Yi, who was fourth as they clocked 52.86s and 52.93s respectively. This was a first, where 4 swimmers all met the qualifying mark in a single event. Speaking after the race, Schooling said, “It feels good. The main goal for this was to make the Asian Games. Without Tzen Wei next to me I don’t think I could have gone 52, it was way faster than the Olympics. Overall, I’m very pleased.” He added, “This is the first time I’ve raced the 100 Fly since the Olympics, I’m pretty surprised, I was hurting towards the last 15, trying to get my hand on to the wall first, but to be separated by 0.05s in this current state, I think looking forward to SEA Games and Asian Games has to be quite exciting. This has given me a renewed amount of excitement so that is good.” Joseph Schooling credited team mate Tzen Wei for pushing him to hit 52 sec, while Quah Zheng Wen and Ong Jung Yi have also qualified for this year's Asian Games. PHOTO: ANDY CHUA, SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION “I was very happy with Joseph because I finally saw a very good fight from him, and coming into this meet, we can see that burning desire to make an impact in the race. Even though he got second to Tzen Wei, dropping almost 1.03 seconds from the Olympic Games, and accomplishing it here, I was very pleased with how he swam. He has outdone himself in terms of the circumstances”, said National Head Coach, Gary Tan. Gary added, “Kudos also to Tzen Wei, he also did a really good swim and probably helped pull Joseph along as well as the other two – Zheng Wen and Jung Yi. This is the first time I have seen four guys in an individual event all make the ‘A’ cut for the major games.” Tzen Wei, 25, said, “Today, I wanted to go under 52, so I am happy but not super happy because it is quite close. I’m content with having two personal bests in a day. For now, I still have the 50m freestyle, so I am just focusing on that, but once the meet is over, I will be looking back at the tapes and see how I can improve and work harder for the SEA Games, Asian Games and the rest of the meets for the year.” 13-year-old sensation Reagan Cheng continued to blaze a trail in the backstroke, as he set two National U-14 records in one day in the Men’s 200m Backstroke. Having bettered his previous national record of 2:09.97s with a time of 2:09.89s in the morning heats, he did it once more in the final when he set a new record time of 2:09.05s. Day 4 of the Liberty Insurance 52nd SNAG Major Games Qualifier will see the Men’s 200m Breaststroke and Individual Medley and the Women’s 50m Butterfly, 100m Backstroke and 400m Freestyle.. The Liberty Insurance 52nd SNAG Major Games Qualifier is open to up to 200 fully vaccinated spectators, and live streamed here. #SportPlusSG #Swimming #SNAG2022