Inter-unit camaraderie and thrilling competition were the hallmarks of this year’s Police Dragon Boat Championship!
By: Inspector Yeoh Yi Kai and Mike Tan
Coming together to give our very best for a shared cause – that just about describes what our dedicated Police officers do to safeguard Singapore daily. This singular focus and conviction might also explain why the sport of dragon boating is so popular among our men and women in blue!
On 12 October 2023, the annual Police Dragon Boat Championship was held at the Singapore Sports Hub’s Water Sports Centre. This was the second edition of the Championship since COVID-19 and spirits were high as the officers gathered early in the morning to begin a gruelling series of 21 races.
Taking part this year were teams from all Police land divisions, staff departments, specialist staff departments and specialist units. It was immediately clear to the boaters that the intense heat would be a factor, but they were undeterred and raring to go as they took to the water.
Dragon boating requires not only strength; teamwork and coordination are also vital to propelling a boat forward in the most efficient manner. From the drummer to the paddlers and steersperson, each team member has a role to play. And teamwork was very much on display as the races demonstrated.
This year’s Championship was also a Home Team affair as the programme included the Inter-Home-Team-Sector Dragon Boat Race and the inaugural Inter-Home-Team-Department Race. The teams put on an excellent show of sportsmanship as they competed for honours.
But the action wasn’t only on the water. Wearing their unit colours, supporters at the Water Sports Centre cheered and applauded as their fellow officers gave their best.
And then it was finally time for the dragon boaters to claim their prizes. Taking the Overall Champion, Overall Specialist Champion, Senior Officer’s A Champion and Women Champion honours were the Police Coast Guard (PCG)! When it comes to mastery on the waters, 2023 belonged to PCG.
Also coming in strong was the Combined Team of the Commercial Affairs Department, Criminal Investigation Department and Police Intelligence Department. They claimed the Central Overall Non-Specialist Champion and Senior Officer’s B Champion honours.
The depth of sporting talent was demonstrated by the number of different units that took the podium. Doing Police Security Command proud were their Mixed Champion and Senior Champion teams!
Not to be outdone were our land divisions, with Clementi Police Division putting on a sterling display to win the Men’s B Champion prize.
As for the Inter-Home-Team Department Race, it was the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority that claimed the inaugural prize. Congratulations to all the officers who gave their best at the Police Dragon Boat Championship this year; see you on the water in 2024!
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