How it all started
It all began in 1978.
The Hong Leong Group Sports & Recreation Club (HLGSRC) was established by the late CDL Deputy Chairman Mr Kwek Leng Joo and the late Mr Neo Kim San, formerly a senior executive with Hong Leong Holdings Limited. The two gentlemen had the foresight to build a strong community spirit and social goodwill among staff across the Hong Leong Group Singapore of companies.
At that time, they started a Ladies Netball Team and registered it with the Singapore Netball Association in 1978. The netballers began competing with other businesses under the Association, such as Singapore Airlines and Singapore Petroleum. They also participated in social events that were organised as part of the Association’s calendar of events.
Seeing how this interaction has promoted the strong community spirit and social goodwill, the organising committee of HLGSRC decided to bring this home and began recruiting staff representatives across Hong Leong Group to help organise more events. The variety of sports gradually expanded to include squash, football, table tennis, and badminton.
Then the 1980s came. By this time, the games have grown ‘international’ and saw the teams compete in countries like Malaysia and Hong Kong where Hong Leong Group has business operations. Although this platform of ‘international’ competition has since stopped, the seeds of inter-company staff bonding and interaction have since been sowed and the Club’s sports and social activities have now become a yearly affairs that all staff look forward to participate.
In 1994, the Club continued to expand and Mr Kesavan Soon (affectionately known as “Soon”) was hired to coordinate its activities. He was formerly a national sprinter who represented Singapore at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. At that time, he was also serving as Vice-Patron of Singapore Athletics Association (then known as Singapore Amateur Athletics Association) and an active member of the sports community. In fact, Soon was the one who conceptualised the annual Hong Leong Olympics, which remains as one of the Club’s signature events today.
Hong Leong Olympics
The Hong Leong Olympics (HLO) is a biennial event (it was previously held annual until 2012) which sees nearly 400 of the Group’s employees participate in a variety of events. Recreational events include games such as darts and carrom, and non-athletic events such as completing jigsaw puzzles. The sports categories include individual and team sports such as badminton, golf, futsal and basketball. The Olympics then culminate in a half-day athletics showdown, where staff and their families gather for some friendly competition in track events, tug-of-war, and novelty events such as hula hooping.
The prize-giving ceremony is held at the HLGSRC’s Annual General Meeting cum Dinner, which provides yet another opportunity for the Group’s staff to meet and mingle. This year’s dinner, which also celebrated the Club’s 40th anniversary, was held at Orchard Hotel.
The dinner was attended by over 700 staff, and VIPs included Patrons Mr Kwek Leng Peck and Mr Kwek Eik Sheng. The latter also previously served as the President of HLGSRC in 2016 and 2017. It was an evening filled with laughter, as staff enjoyed an eight-course dinner that was interspersed with the prize presentation for the HLO, presentation of long-service awards, and entertaining stage games that left the crowd laughing uproariously.
On years where the HLO is not held, the Club organises a Social Night, where the Group’s staff can still come together to have fun and enjoy good food. The event usually sees about 500 to 700 staff, with a hearty buffet dinner spread and table games to keep everyone entertained. Sports challenges among the companies are also held for staff to get together for some friendly competition, but with fewer events than the HLO.
Another highlight in the HLGSRC calendar is the Hong Leong Group Family Day. This year’s Family Day, which took place in July, was a 5km walkathon around the Singapore River that culminated in an afternoon of food and games at Grand Copthorne Waterfront. Past Family Days included visits to the Singapore Zoo, Sentosa and other popular attractions.
In addition, HLGSRC also organises regular activities for staff, such as cooking classes, sales bazaars, movie nights, and short overseas trips to nearby attractions in Malaysia.
Current HLGSRC President and Tower Club General Manager Mr Peter Schori said in his opening speech at the Ruby Anniversary dinner that the Club's vision is to grow new social sports and recreational activities for members to enjoy. Stay tuned for more HLGSRC events next year!
