Alumni Return to Inspire Student-Athletes

Calvin Kang holds a special place in the history of Singapore Sports School as one of its first two Olympians from the pioneer batch. He returned to celebrate the school’s 22nd anniversary, delivering a ‘Lessons from the Champions’ talk that inspired many.

During his session, Calvin reflected on his journey as a student-athlete, emphasisng the importance of perseverance and self-belief. He shared his experience competing on the Olympic stage, including the surreal moment of being the only Asian in his Olympic heats and the lasting memories from his time at the Games.

Honoured to be back, Calvin described the school as a place where “dreams are made, fears are unlocked, and opportunities are given.” As he revisited the school song—one he still remembers vividly—he unpacked the meaning behind its lyrics, highlighting the courage required in the journey of every student-athlete.

Alumnus Sean Lee, a former national badminton singles champion, has established himself in the real estate industry within just five years. In 2025, he achieved the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) honour as a property agent with PropNex.

The 32-year-old’s journey, however, was far from linear. Before discovering his passion for real estate, Sean explored several entrepreneurial paths, including two years in the F&B industry and six years building a manpower platform, where he continues to manage the sales team today.

His turning point came when he and his then-girlfriend—now wife—found joy in envisioning their future while exploring homes together. This sparked a genuine interest in property, eventually leading him to pursue a career as a real estate agent. Within a short span, Sean has found notable success, which he attributes to his drive, resilience, willingness to embrace failure, and courage to try.

These qualities were deeply ingrained during his formative years at Sports School from 2007 to 2015. As a competitive shuttler, Sean joined the national youth team at 17 and progressed to the national team by 19. He represented Singapore in major tournaments such as the Thomas Cup, Sudirman Cup, and the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, where he earned a team bronze medal.

Although he now plays badminton recreationally, the discipline and rigour from his sporting career have played a significant role in shaping his character and values—qualities that continue to support his success in business.

On 6 April 2026, Sean returned to Sports School address Secondary 4 and 5 student-athletes on the importance of financial literacy.

On the same week, on 9 April 2026, the school welcomed alumnus Sean Yap, who is currently serving as an Attaché at the Singapore High Commission in Wellington.

In his role, Sean has spent the past three years managing administrative and technical matters at the High Commission. He returned to Sports School to share his experiences with student-athletes, highlighting the importance of fostering friendly ties between nations in commemoration of International Friendship Day.

Sean joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2021, where he was involved in emergency planning during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was later given the opportunity to be posted to New Zealand—an experience that broadened his perspectives and expanded his horizons.

A former swimmer, Sean entered Sports School in Secondary 2 as a mid-stream entrant from Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road). Although he initially missed the opportunity to join in Secondary 1, he remained determined and worked hard to earn his place, driven by the goal of representing Singapore.

Sean acknowledged that his journey to his current role was not always smooth, but resilience, self-motivation, and discipline, which he gained during his time at Sports School, guided him forward. He acknowledges that the school's learning and guidance have helped him become a better person.

Despite being based in New Zealand, he continues to represent Singapore in underwater hockey and stays closely connected with fellow Sports School alumni in the country.

While his international exposure has broadened both his career and worldview, Sean remains deeply rooted in his Singaporean identity.