Singapore Gymnastics wishes to extend its deepest sympathies to the family of Mr Lee Seng Huat who passed away on Thursday 22 August 2019, at the age of 88.

Known affectionally as the “Father of Gymnastics”, Mr Lee was instrumental in starting the first National Sporting Association for gymnastics in Singapore with Singapore Amateur Gymnastics Association (SAGA) in 1964.

He provided the environment during these initial times for many aspiring gymnasts in Singapore, by ensuring there were facilities, cheap fees and committed coaches. He was also the first appointed Ministry of Education gymnastics advisor, where he constantly promoted the benefits of gymnastics and the importance of physical education in school.  

Mr Lee, during his time as President of SAGA, constantly advocated for more support for gymnastics. In March 1985 Mr Lee was quoted as saying:

"To produce champions of international standing, more than 35 hours must be spent each week on training. …………….Let’s get to the root of the problem. We must first build a gymnasium and equip it with the latest apparatus before we can groom top athletes. If this can be done, I am sure we can produce top gymnastics for our country.”

His tenacity and dedication paved the way for some of Singapore Gymnastics’ most memorable achievements at the international level; Lim Heem Wei’s silver medal and Jonathon Chan’s bronze medal at Commonwealth Games Delhi in 2010, and then when history was made with Lim Heem Wei becoming the first Singaporean gymnast to compete at the Olympic Games in London 2012.

In 2003 Singapore Gymnastics awarded Mr Lee Seng Huat Life membership for his long commitment and contribution to the sport of gymnastics in Singapore. Then in 2014, along with Foo Yong Kwang, Mr Lee was recognised at the opening of the Singapore Youth Olympic Museum and Singapore Sports Museum, as one of Singapore’s sporting pioneers, someone who had raised Singapore’s profile in the international arena, paving the way for future sporting athletes.

His legacy has now seen, and will continue to see, even younger generations of Singaporean gymnasts, achieving their dream, showing their artistic and rhythmic skills at the pinnacle of the Olympic Games.

Singapore Gymnastics was extremely fortunate to have Mr Lee in attendance at its Inaugural Annual Awards Dinner in January 2018. It was at this event the gymnasts of today were able to gain a small insight into the history and journey of Singapore Gymnastics with a presentation he and his daughter Liz had put together.

On behalf of the Singapore gymnastics community, thank you, we are where we are because we stand on the shoulders of giants!

RIP Lee Seng Huat. He leaves wife Helen Lee nee Oh, daughters Liza Lee and Luna Lee and three grandchildren, Nicholas, Justin and Stephanie.