DIVERSITY KEY FOR FENCING EXCO

Team of 11 include national water polo captain and former S'pore wushu athlete

- Kimberly Kwek

National water polo captain Lee Kai Yang has spent a good part of the past 14 years in the pool, but he could soon be stepping into a fencing competition hall.

He is, however, not switching sport. A multiple gold medallist at the SEA Games, Lee is part of the Fencing Singapore (FS) executive committee (exco) that was elected at its annual general meeting at the ERC Institute on Sept 20.

The team of 11 are led by David Chen, who takes over from Juliana Seow as president, after the latter chose not to run for another term after 11 years at the helm.

While Lee, who is the vice-president of strategic partnerships, was humbled by the opportunity to join the team, he acknowledged that he is a "greenhorn" in the sport with much to learn.

He hopes to use his experience as a sports business consultant with Deloitte, where he has worked with various national sports associations, regional and international federations, to contribute and help develop fencing.

Lee, 29, said: "I would characterise my contribution to the overall team as being a catalyst. That's where my professional experience in the sports industry... gives me a lot of experience and exposure to different methods and processes that can add fuel to the fire, with all the passion that this new slate brings along."