Tiny Singapore just completed its most successful run in the CWG ever. This includes:
- Ranked 8th in the medals table, its best ever (previous high was 11th in 2006)
- Won 11 Golds, twice more than the previous record of five in 2006.
- Won a total of 31 medals, equal in number to the combined totals won in both 2002 (13) and 2006 (18).
- Swept 6 out of 7 Table Tennis Golds, coming very close to winning all. This was better than the four won in 2006.
- Shooting Golds went from one to five, and has led to the government seriously considering building a proper shooting facility for training and competitions (which I would consider as one of the best outcomes of sport.)
- Bettered its two-medal performance by winning three.
- Won its first gymnastics medals (2) in CWG history.
And all these from a country which won just four Gold medals and nine medals of any colour from 1958 to 1998, after having participated 11 times.
It is my hope that the officials will make good its promise to expand Singapore's focus on developing sporting talent in a wider array of sports, and not to focus on only a few as it has traditionally done. In this games, for example, Singapore was represented in only eight sports. They have indicated an interest in further developing shooting, gymnastics, and to also pay increased attention to diving and cycling.
Only when sports get more promotion, funding and support, can I say Singapore has come out winners.