Nadasen Chandra and Yvvon Lye
Nadasen Chandra:
I come from a modest background. My parents had 11 children and I was their third child. My father had good principles and discipline which he instilled in us. He taught us to be honest, fearless, and to help others. He did not smoke or drink alcohol.
During my primary school days, I was very good in studies. It took a turn when I got a double promotion from Standard 1 to Standard 3. I caught up slowly and persevered through it. I was good in sports especially in athletics and soccer. Left primary school and continued my studies in Raffles Institution. Played soccer for the B team.
My studies took a dip as I did not have tuition or assistance at home. However, I passed my then Cambridge School Certificate. Started work in the Civil Service. I worked at the then Government Medical Store and played football for the Ministry of Health. Got transferred to Ministry of Social Affairs. I became Sports Secretary of the Club and organised badminton and 7 a-side soccer and walk-a-jog. Later the ministry became MCD. I continued to do my sports duties as usual.
Played soccer in Div 1 of the FAS League. Had an issue of match fixing by our opponents. Took up the issue with FAS. I was elected to the Tournament Committee and became the Secretary. I could stand or understand the Referees’ decisions. I could not challenge their decisions. Took up Referees’ Course and scored very high marks. Progressively rose to become FIFA Referee. Took active part in the Referees’ Association. I became secretary and later president (FRAS). Refereed in many International Tournaments in countries like Malaysia, Thailand, New Zealand, Korea, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Emirates, etc.
I reported a case of attempted bribery against Kuwait last in a Pre-Olympic between Kuwait and Iraq. I was highly commended by FIFA, AFC and FAS. Kuwait was fined SFr $25,000. I was the first SG Referee to report bribery. Many newspapers carried extensive reports. I was interviewed by Straits Times and New Nation. The crowning of it was a statement in Parliament by the late MP for Bukit Batok, Dr. Ong Chit Chung on a debate on shared values. He said “It is, I would say, beyond politics; it is our Singaporean way of life. As Nadasen Chandra, a Singaporean soccer referee who rejected bribes and refused to fix a match in Kuwait in 1987 and declared, and I quote: ‘It is not Singaporean to be corrupt. Taking dirty money has never been my cup of tea. I am proud that I reacted like a genuine Singaporean’.
I was also awarded a plaque for my pioneering contribution to sports during SG50. I was also in the first batch of Match Commissioners for the inaugural S-League.
Yvvon Lye:
I was born into a modest but loving family. My dad was a carpenter and my mom was a homemaker. I have 2 younger siblings, a sister of 3 years & a brother of 11 years apart. We didn’t have much, but had a considerably happy childhood.
As my brother entered late into our family, our school fees became a constant issue with just my dad as the sole breadwinner. I had to work many different sorts of part time jobs, from being a tutor to a promoter, a waitress, an admin exec and other sorts while studying full time. When I finally stepped into the working society full time, I again took up a part time degree and slogged for another 2.5 years. What irony.
At 25 years old, I got my first house, first wedding (only one!), first degree from University of Manchester, and even acquired my first significant debt then got pregnant. It was also where I decided to leave my years of corporate life and volunteered myself into my first unknown, joining the insurance industry. The norm for that industry back then was somewhat equivalent to a lowly one.
My parents questioned why on earth did I get a degree only to leave my wonderful oil & gas industry and sell insurance. Nobody supported my decision other than myself. I know it’s either a make or break. My journey was definitely not a smooth one as I eat rejections on a daily basis. I also experienced exceptional emotions, extremely hopeful, extremely disappointed, extremely hurt, extremely grateful.
Financial education wasn’t taught in school, yet it is a crucial subject for everyone. Today, I’m very glad to have helped protect many families and manage their wealth as I grow together with them for the past 11 years. Being challenged in life is inevitable, but being defeated is optional. With much gratitude for all that I have, I’m thankful and hope to continue to do my part for the society and make it a better place for us and generations to come.
