Lau Teng Chuan

Lau Teng Chuan BPE, MSc (Chinese: 刘镇泉; 13 April 1929 – 8 May 2012) was a Singaporean sportsman, coach, teacher, and sports administrator, and considered to be the 'father of physical education' in Singapore.[1] Lau was instrumental in the development of sports in Singapore.

Education

Lau attended Victoria School in Singapore, where he had excelled in sports, and he graduated from Loughborough College in the United Kingdom, where he studied physical education to become a Physical Education teacher, graduating with a DLC 1st Class Honours in 1956.[2] In 1973, he obtained a Master of Science from the University of Oregon in United States.

Career

Lau was a national badminton player and had represented Singapore from 1956 to 1958.[1] While playing competitive badminton, he was also a lecturer and eventually the chief of physical education at Institute of Education, until 1975.

He was also Singapore's chief badminton coach from 1963 to 1965,[1] after which he served as honorary visiting coach of the New Zealand national badminton team.

Lau served as the executive director of the Singapore Sports Council from 1975 to 1992, where he assisted the government in shaping and implementing the strategy for physical education and sports in Singapore. He started an initiative to enhance coaching education and development in Singapore, which saw physical fitness instructors certified at the national level. The National Physical Fitness Award/Assessment (NAPFA) test for students was introduced and the test was later adapted by the Singapore Armed Forces as the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT).

Lau was appointed to the Singapore National Olympic Council in 1995 and took over from S S Dhillon as secretary general in 1996.[3] He resigned from the post in 2001 after six years in the council.[3]

As one of Singapore's sports administrators, Lau played a key role in implementing the physical education strategy in Singapore schools. He championed sports-for-all initiatives and was behind pushing for sports facilities to be built in the heartlands, fitness apparatus to be built in parks, stadiums and educational institutions, as well as mass sports participation events.

He had also previously served as a vice-president of Singapore Amateur Athletics Association, and was the honorary secretary of the Football Association of Singapore from 1982, a post he held for more than a decade.

Lau was encouraged by his grandchildren to write an autobiography to share his sporting experiences and service to sports in various capacities. In 2012, Lau published his autobiography, Lau Teng Chuan (Sportsman, Teacher, Sports Administrator). More than 400 copies of the book was printed and distributed to the sporting fraternity of Singapore. Proceeds of the book go to the Lau Teng Chuan Scholarship Fund, which will benefit physical education teachers.

Awards

Lau was awarded the National Day Public Service Administration awards in 1969 (bronze) for education and 1981 (silver) for sports,[1] and the International Badminton Federation's Distinguished Service Award in 1997. He received the Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) from Loughborough University in 2003 for his contribution to the public service and the development of sports in Singapore.[1]

Personal life

Lau had a brother, Lau Teng Siah, who was also a badminton player.[4]

Lau was also an avid football player, squash player, and golfer beside badminton.

Lau died on 8 May 2012 at the age of 83 from stomach cancer.[1] He was married to Mary and had two sons, a daughter, and seven grandchildren.

Chris Chan, Singapore National Olympic Council's secretary-general said: "Every Singaporean has benefited in some way from Lau's work, whether they know it or not."

Former Singapore Sports Council chairman, Tan Eng Liang said: "His contribution as a teacher, sportsman and administrator is second to none" and that it will be hard to find another person who exhibit such selflessness and dedication to local sport."

References
  1. "Former top sports administrator Lau Teng Chuan dies". Channel NewsAsia. 8 May 2012. Archived from the original on 11 May 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  2. ""Old Victorians Association - Obituary – Dr Lau Teng Chuan"". Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  3. Raymond, Jose (3 October 2001). "Olympic council head Lau resigns". Today (Afternoon ed.). p. 38. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via NewspaperSG.
  4. "Lau Brothers Too Good". The Straits Times. 12 July 1948. p. 8. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via NewspaperSG.
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