At this year’s People’s Association (PA) Paddle Championship held at the Bedok Reservoir Park over 19 and 20 April, Far East Organization staff proved that they don’t just work hard, they play hard as well.
    Organised by the PA Water-Venture section of the Constituency Sports Clubs, the two-day event saw more than 2,200 paddlers from community, sports and corporate organisations taking part.
    Amidst this diverse and competitive environment, FEO 1 and FEO 2 held their own, finishing third in Heats 1 and 3 respectively. This strong display saw the two teams qualify for the ‘B’ Final on the final day of the Championship. Guest-of- Honour at the prize-giving ceremony was Minister for Defence Mr Teo Chee Hean (below left).
    Final ‘B’ pitted the two FEO teams against strong rivals such as YMCA 1 and the Public Utilities Board. Again, the teams did not disappoint, with FEO 1 taking the honours as Final ‘B’ winners and FEO 2 coming in third. The icing on the cake was FEO 1’s robust display in Heat 3, which saw it garnering third placing for ‘Best Timing’ in the NECDC Invitation Mix 10-Crew category.
    “The participants deserve every plaudit for the sweat and tears they shed in physically trying conditions,” said Peter Toh, the convenor for FEO’s dragon boat teams.
    The teams’ achievements were nothing short of remarkable as dragon boat racing was only introduced this year by the Far East Organization Sports and Recreation Committee (see box story).
    Peter hopes the success of the teams can be translated into success at the workplace as well. “We have shown that people from different backgrounds can come together as one to accomplish a common goal in the most encouraging manner possible.” LM