Public Service Officers (PSOs) had their day in the spotlight on 27 July, as they gathered for a special celebration at the Singapore Sports Hub. The Public Service Sports & Family Day 2024 (PSSFD 2024), organised annually by the Civil Service Club (CSC), was dedicated to honouring their hard work, providing them and their family members with an opportunity to bond, have fun and engage in a variety of exciting activities. In addition to sports try-outs and carnival booths, this year’s event introduced new mindfulness activities and workshops for those seeking a holistic way to unwind. With over 6,000 attendees, the event was a vibrant showcase of the dedication and camaraderie that defines those who serve the community.
Starting on an active beat
Held in conjunction with the launch of the GetActive! Singapore campaign, the festivities began with the Healthy Lifestyle Walk, flagged off by Mr Leo Yip, Head of Civil Service and President, Civil Service Club. Participants meandered through the scenic Kallang Riverside Park, taking in the stunning waterfront views and enjoying the refreshing morning breeze.
The GetActive! mascot was present to uplift everyone’s spirits.
Families and friends gathered to participate in this year’s Public Service Sports and Family Day.
Among them were Mr Samuel Loo and his mother, who both share a passion for walking to main-tain fitness and mental well-being. They treasure events like PSSFD 2024 as a special opportunity to bond. “It’s important for my mum to stay healthy and active in her senior years. If she’s in great health and happy, that’s all that matters to me,” said Mr Loo. He also praised the PSSFD 2024 or-ganisers, noting, “The event area is well spaced out and pleasant to navigate, despite the crowds. There are so many activities for families, and it looks like everyone is having a lot of fun!”
Mr Samuel Loo and mother.
Over in the east of Singapore, a group of 200 cycling enthusiasts had gathered earlier for the CSC Cycle Challenge, a 33-kilometre ride from CSC @ Changi to the Singapore Sports Hub. Flagged off by PS Tan Gee Keow, Vice President, Civil Service Club, participants cycled along scenic routes and bonded with fellow cyclists over their shared passion.
All geared up and ready to cycle off.
The flag off at CSC @ Changi.
Another sporting highlight of PSSFD 2024 was the Explorer Challenge, an Amazing Race-style com-petition where participants set off from CSC @ Tessensohn and navigated the city to complete a series of quizzes and tasks. With vehicle transport prohibited, teams had to tackle roadblocks and obstacles on foot. The winning team from the Ministry of National Development (MND) raced through iconic locations like Fort Canning, Merlion Park and Marina Bay, finishing the challenge in under three hours.
The winning team for Explore Challenge.
Captain Ms Kathleen Yap assembled a team of former colleagues, now working in different agen-cies under MND, to take on the challenge. “We’re here just to have a good time and make memo-ries on a Saturday morning,” said Ms Yap. Team member Mr Nicholas Oh echoed her sentiment: “It is a joy to reconnect with old friends through a fun activity.”
Packed with family fun and excitement
CSC member, Ms Darshini Jeyasimman, was delighted to discover a lively carnival, brimming with activities, at Singapore Sports Hub. There were bouncy castles, adorable mascots and interactive performances for the little ones, while parents savoured tasty treats like baked goods from Yellow Ribbon Bakery. Additionally, merchants such as Singtel and cashback rewards platform ShopBack offered fantastic deals, ensuring everyone got the most of their day.
Although Ms Darshini had planned to join the Healthy Lifestyle Walk with her mother and husband, the vibrant atmosphere at the carnival ground was too tempting to resist. She jumped into the festivities, taking quirky shots at a family photo booth and waiting in line for balloon sculptures for her daughter. “My child and I had a blast at the centre stage performances — we danced along to the music and loved every moment!” she exclaimed.
Ms Darshini Jeyasimman and family.
The fun bubble show, which entranced plenty of children.
Mascot fun.
Many families were enamoured with the mascots that graced the event.
Plenty of fun with bouncy castle for the little ones.
Stimulating both the physical and the creative of young minds.
Activities for a healthy body and mind
For those seeking a more mindful experience, this year’s PSSFD featured a series of activities fo-cused on mental wellness. Participants could craft their own terrariums, dreamcatchers and coasters, as well as take part in trial classes for gentle yet accessible exercises like Zumba and chair yoga. PSOs could also connect with wellness coaches from Well-being @ Gov and the Ministry of Social and Family Development through their booths at the Sports Hub Library.
Amid the fanfare, it was hard not to notice PSO Ms Loy Xinting and her adorable Pomeranians. Accompanied by her father, a retired PSO, the duo embraces an active lifestyle. They appreciated how well-organised the event was despite the high foot traffic, with something for everyone to enjoy. "We want to spend more time together doing something healthy. Maintaining good health is essential for our family,” said Ms Loy, capturing the spirit of family and fitness that marked the day.
Ms Loy Xinting and father, along with her two adorable Pomeranians.
Splashing into action
As part of the STAR Games line-up at PSSFD 2024, PSOs from various agencies took to the waters of Kallang Basin for an adrenaline-pumping inter-agency dragon boat race.
Team effort and plenty of spirit.
Dragon boaters putting in their all.
Reigning champions, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), clinched the overall winner title once again, defending their crown for the 22nd consecutive year. Delighted with the result, team mem-ber Mr Alan Wong encouraged more PSOs from MHA to join dragon boat racing. “We’re thrilled that the sport is gaining popularity among the agencies, but this also motivates us to train even harder,” he said, adding that dragon boat racing is a strenuous physical activity that demands a high level of fitness and dedication.
From left to right: Mr Wilfred Yan, Mr Alan Wong and Ms Sharon Yeo.
Concurring with Mr Wong, Ms Sharon Yeo from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) team that won the Women’s Event, emphasised, “It’s the passion for dragonboating that fuels our commitment. I hope that younger PSOs can join us and bring fresh energy into the sport.”
For Mr Wilfred Yan, representing the winning Men’s team from the Ministry of Education, success was attributed to personal accountability and a consistent commitment to fitness. “It’s more ef-fective to maintain our fitness rather than starting to train only when there are competitions,” he highlighted.
For first-time dragon boat racer Ms Loy Xinting, STAR Games were more about camaraderie and sportsmanship. Competing as a team member of the Ministry of Health, she found it inspiring to see her peers working together outside of the office environment. “Although we only made it to the first heat, for me, it’s about training as a team and getting to know each other better,” she said.
The Champions!
WOMEN’S EVENT
Champion - Ministry of Defence
2nd Place - Ministry of Home Affairs (2)
3rd Place - Sport Singapore
4th Place - Ministry of Home Affairs (1)
MEN’S EVENT
Champion - Ministry of Education
2nd Place - Ministry of Defence
3rd Place - Ministry of Home Affairs (2)
4th Place - Ministry of Home Affairs (1)
ACTIVE AGERS EVENT
Champion - Land Transport Authority
2nd Place - Ministry of Home Affairs (1)
3rd Place - Ministry of Home Affairs (2)
4th Place - Housing and Development Board
OVERALL POSITIONS
Champion - Ministry of Home Affairs
2nd Place - Ministry of Defence
Joint 3rd Place - Ministry of Education + Land Transport Authority
Dive into an emerging ball sport
Excitement filled the Arena halls at Singapore Sports Hub, where new team sports like Kin-Ball and tchoukball made their debut. Ms Kristy Teh, representing the overall Kin-Ball winners, MINDEF, shared that the key to victory was a clear understanding of their roles in the game. “We kept things simple and stuck to our positions,” she explained.
Kin-ball action.
Kin-ball players.
Like Ms Loy, Ms Teh saw the STAR Games as more than just about winning; they were an oppor-tunity to foster teamwork and have fun. “We played multiple matches and had to wear different-coloured bibs each round. Kin-Ball requires us to call out the team colours we want to attack, which can get quite confusing,” she shared. “There was one match when we were attacked and forgot which colours to call out. The ball slipped out of our hands, and that moment of confusion made everyone burst into laughter.”
Tchoukball players springing into action.
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore clinched the title of champions in the Fun Tchoukball Challenge once again, continuing their winning streak from 2023. Mr Nico Quek, captain of the victorious team, attributed their success to consistent training. “We hope the game duration will be extended next year to test our team’s endurance even further,” he shared.
Tchoukball champion: Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore.
Pickleball Champion: Ministry of Education (2).
Kin Ball Champion: Ministry of Defence.
Explorer Challenge Champion: Ministry of National Development.
STAR Games Results: Inter-agency Team Sports
TCHOUKBALL CHALLENGE
Champion - Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
2nd Place - Ministry of Health
3rd Place - Ministry of Defence
4th Place - Ministry of Home Affairs
PICKLEBALL CHALLENGE
Champion - Ministry of Education (2)
2nd Place - Ministry of Education (3)
3rd Place - Ministry of Health
4th Place - Housing Development Board
KIN-BALL CHALLENGE
Champion - Ministry of Defence
2nd Place - Government Technology Agency
3rd Place - Sport Singapore
EXPLORER CHALLENGE
Champion - Ministry of National Development
2nd Place - Ministry of Health
3rd Place - Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
4th Place - Ministry of Education
NATIONAL STEPS CHALLENGE
Champion - Housing Development Board
2nd Place - Central Provident Fund Board
3rd Place - SP Group
4th Place - People’s Association
A rewarding day to remember
As PSSFD 2024 came to a close in the afternoon, Mr Xerus Koh, a CSC member and PSO, won the grand prize in the lucky draw — a two-night cruise sponsored by Resorts World Cruises. This unexpected win was a wonderful bonus for Mr Koh, who brought his young daughter and wife to the event to soak up the carnival vibes. It was a chance for his first child to be amazed by the lively colours and smiling faces. “I’ve never won anything in a draw before, so this was a pleasant surprise,” said the delighted Mr Koh, who was looking forward to enjoy the sailing holiday with his loved ones. “To me, a healthy and happy family is one that bonds together through sports or other activities.”
Mr Xerus Koh and family.
PS Tan Gee Keow, presenting Mr Xerus Koh with his winning prize.
PSSFD 2024 was truly a standout event of the year for PSOs and their families. From the Healthy Lifestyle Walk to the carnival games and the spirited STAR Games competitions, the day was packed with joy, bonding and unforgettable experiences for everyone involved.
Want to relive the fun and excitement of PSSFD 2024? Click here to check out our photo gallery and see all the amazing moments from the event! Join also us for Family Fun @ Tessensohn on 17 Aug 2024. Click here for more details.