A total of 390 student athletes were awarded for their achievements at the annual teamNUS Sports Awards Ceremony 2006-2007, held at National University of Singapore’s University Cultural Centre.

Now in its third year, the annual event aimed to recognize students’ achievements in co-curricular activities as well as their studies, said guest of honour Tan Eng Chye.

“Recently, the university spent over $3.5 million to upgrade our sports facilities and replace a number of sports equipment,” he said. “There are even plans to build additional sports facilities over at the new campus, ‘at Warren.’ ”

Luke Cheong, a recent graduate and a recipient of both the honorary award and team merit award for rugby, said the sports awards were “great” because they recognized “the efforts, contributions and sacrifices these people have put in."

Cheong said the rugby team used to train without proper facilities until the Sports and Recreation Centre installed lights for the field earlier this year.

“It is not easy to devote so much time and effort into a sport like rugby that has a high risk of injury,” he said, adding that he is still recovering from a spine injury sustained during training.

Sports Woman of the Year Jacqueline Chow said she felt “honoured” for the award and was thankful to the NUS staff who were “very supportive” of her.

“The staff in NUS helped me change exam dates and allow me to go off early whenever I have competition,” she said. “They have been extremely helpful.”

Chow won two gold medals at the Inter-Varsity/Polytechnic swimming competition and nine gold medals at Asia Pacific Masters swimming competition.

Lee Zhixiang, a fourth-year undergraduate from Department of Architecture, said NUS’ recognition of athletes “inspires freshmen to step up.”

“This allows for a system of continuation and a constant flow of sportsmen,” he said.

Lee was a recipient of the honorary awards for swimming and aquathlon. He also received a $2,000 sports grant for his efforts.

“I feel privileged that I am receiving the sports grant because quite a few people applied,” he said.

Besides recognizing athletes who performed well for the past year, the awards also “play a major part” in the development of the NUS spirit and a sense of belonging to the university, said Tan.

“It is important for our students to have this strong sense of belonging and the NUS spirit now when they are still with the university and years later as alumni.

“Without this, NUS can’t truly be the great university that it aspires to be,” he said.