In September, national water polo player Heather Lee received an e-mail that delivered exciting news, but also presented her with a dilemma.
It was an update that the Singaporean was looking forward to – she had been selected for the World Aquatics scholarship programme, which had just been expanded to include water polo players.
But while she celebrated with her teammates who were with her as she opened the confirmation e-mail, she also had a tough decision to make as she had just started her data analytics job several months ago.
After discussions with her parents, teammates, coaches and boss, Lee quit her job to take on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which has allowed her to train with Greek club ANC Glyfada since Nov 12, 2024. The stint ends on June 30, 2025.
The 24-year-old left driver said: "It was definitely not a straightforward choice… I had to take some time and decide what I wanted in terms of my sporting and professional career."
With several major events on the horizon in 2025 and 2026, she decided to take the plunge "in order to get better for the upcoming competitions that the team and I are striving to do our best in and bring glory to Singapore".
This story is from the January 03, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 03, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Japan's True Blue Tradition
Call it an antidote to fast fashion. Japanese jeans hand-dyed with natural indigo and weaved on a clackety vintage loom, then sold at a premium to global denim connoisseurs.
6 easy dishes to pack for lunch
Nutritionists and food content creators suggest these healthy and convenient recipes
Don't cross Culinary Class Wars star Anh Sung-jae of three-Michelin-starred Mosu
On an early episode of Netflix's hit reality cooking show Culinary Class Wars (2024), chef Anh Sung-jae stood in a warehouse filled with makeshift cooking stations and considered the plate in front of him: a rainbow palette of handmade pastas, purees and delicately cooked seafood. On top was a smattering of flower petals.
Emerald Hill to make Netflix debut
Emerald Hill looks set to be the must-watch local blockbuster series of 2025.
Refreshed museums in SG60 arts
A timely slate of refreshed spaces and new programmes at Singapore's arts and cultural institutions will be launched in 2025, wooing audiences with a different Singapore story as the nation gears up to mark 60 years of independence.
Going casual to woo fickle diners
Serious artwork on the wall. Bespoke crockery on cloth-covered tables. A fine wine list. Eye-watering menu prices. Just don't call it a fine-dining restaurant.
Smartwatches Make Healthcare Smarter
From tracking heart rate to steps taken to sleep quality, smartwatches and fitness trackers can generate biometric data about the people using them.
Quality, not quantity, rules the superhero game
In 2025, the big studios are rolling up their sleeves to tackle a disease plaguing the box office – superhero fatigue.
Big-name musicals to hit the stage
Soothing melodies and soaring high notes are set to fill the air, as the coming year brings along a host of musicals to the Lion City.
Celebrating design with SG60, new hotels and theme parks
Architecture and urban design take centre stage in 2025, with marquee events such as a year-long celebration of Singapore's 60th year of independence (SG60) and launches of Sentosa attractions to enhance the destination's \"islander allure\".
