Beyond the Finish Line: Lim Tong Hai

35 years in Singapore’s sporting scene and still going strong!

Lim Tong Hai as Team Singapore’s Asst Chef de mission. Cambodia SEA Games 2023. (Photo : SNOC/Kong Chong Yew)

For more than 35 years, Lim Tong Hai’s professional career has been linked to only one industry – Sport! In the two decades since then, his multiple job roles include a football playing and managerial career, followed by coaching, administrative and leadership appointments.

Tong Hai last played professionally with Geylang International FC in 2003, and he undoubtedly, misses those times when his focus was to only train, keep fit and compete as a professional. The adrenaline rush when competing at the highest level, both domestically and internationally, was incredibly rewarding. The camaraderie and teamwork with his teammates, especially in challenging times, was something which he cherished most.

“Representing the National Team has been a great honor. And winning the Malaysian League and Cup Double in 1994 was certainly the highlight of my Lions’ stint.” added the former Geylang Eagles’ Team Manager and Head of Youth Development.

He strongly feels the valuable experience gained in his post-playing career, truly helped to provide a rare opportunity to understand the intricate workings of a professional football club, from managing the first team to assembling the junior squad between 2006 to 2012. It offered a holistic view of the operations and the various roles involved. This invaluable experience provided insights into teamwork, coordination, as well as the importance of each individual's contribution to the overall success of the club. These insights came to be highly applicable in various aspects of his current daily tasks at his current role in Sport Singapore (SportSG) as Team Lead of Coaching Industry Development.

Lim Tong Hai (8^th from Left), together with his 1994 Singapore team-mates, as part of a reunion special in 2015 for a MediaCorp TV shoot. (Photo : Fandi Ahmad’s Facebook Page)

Although his 17-year journey in the S.League ended in 2012, his love for sport compelled him to remain in the industry,. At the age of 42, Tong Hai knew his playing days were over and he decided to embark on a career as a Senior Lecturer in Physical Education at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE).

He’d already acquired the necessary skills to embark in his new role, hence, transitioning to the educational sector allowed him to share his expertise and passion with the next generation of footballers. His involvement in the coaching team also helped secure ITE the IVP Football Championship title.

5 years later in 2018, the ITE educator landed his first role at SportSG as a Team Lead in the Design and Planning Team, working on Partnerships. That was also the 3^rd year of operations of the ActiveSG Football Academy (AFA), which was the very first entity opened to cater to kids and youth development in the community, and at the grassroots level. Having worked in several capacities during his footballing days and further expanding his portfolio with his time at ITE, joining the ranks of SportSG was a natural progression in his career.

Tong Hai’s new challenges revolved around Academies and Clubs (A&Cs), as he’d always been interested in contributing to the holistic development of athletes. His role as the Acting Principal for a period in 2018, provided him with valuable insights into the operational aspects of A&Cs. Working closely with the AFA Principal Aleksander Duric and assistant coaches, gave him a comprehensive understanding of the setup, the challenges, and the opportunities within the academy.

This collaboration with AFA equipped him with a deep understanding of the development pathways for young athletes and the intricacies of nurturing talent within the football ecosystem.

Lim Tong Hai at the FC Bayern Youth Cup 2018 in Munich, whereby his team finished 2^nd overall. (Photo : Andrew Ho)

Five years into his tenure at SportSG (2023), Tong Hai's steadfast dedication led to his appointment as the Team Lead for Coaching Industry Development (CID) at CoachSG. His extensive experience honed over years of dedicated service, played a pivotal role in securing this position. This significant milestone underscored his dedication to advancing the professional development of A&Cs’ coaches, a responsibility he was happy to uphold.

“With this current role in CID, my team ensures the quality assurance and competency standards for the National Registry of Coaches (NROC), oversee employment policies and identify industry needs which are pivotal in elevating the standards and professionalism of coaching across various sports,” added Tong Hai.

The diverse experiences in sport did also equip him with a well-rounded skill-set which the Liverpool FC supporter leverages on to contribute effectively to the development of sport in Singapore. Being a parent himself also provides Tong Hai with a unique vantage point that allows him to truly feel and understand the perspectives of the youth trainees’ parents. This helps to foster effective communication, build trust, and create a more supportive environment for both the athletes and their families.

Lim Tong Hai (Back row, 1^st from Left) with his colleagues at CoachSG. Photo : Lim Tong Hai

With more than 25 years of working experience prior to joining SportSG in 2018, there is one key value or life lesson, which he’d learnt and managed to adapt in his daily tasks at SportSG.

“Empathy. One interesting aspect that can be adapted from sports to daily tasks is the concept of understanding and empathizing with the challenges and emotions of others. In sport, athletes often need to understand the perspectives and feelings of their teammates, coaches, and opponents to work effectively as a team and to perform at their best.

This same empathy can be applied in daily tasks at SportSG, where understanding the needs and perspectives of colleagues, stakeholders, and the community can lead to more effective collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making,” emphasized Tong Hai.

In his current role, the 55-year-old and his team would like to further contribute to the development and recognition of coaching, as a respected and essential profession within the sports community. They’re also aiming to enhance the overall coaching landscape, ultimately benefiting the athletes, sports organizations, and the broader sports community in Singapore.

In his pursuit of professional advancement, Tong Hai remains steadfast in his commitment to fostering growth within the sports community. Looking ahead, he envisions establishing mentorship programs aimed at nurturing emerging talents, be they athletes or coaches, as they navigate their respective paths. This endeavour also entails the creation of dynamic platforms for knowledge exchange, ranging from workshops to networking events, aimed to fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning within the sports ecosystem. Through these initiatives, Tong Hai seeks to leave a lasting impact, shaping the next generation of sporting excellence.