Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/team-singapores-most-inspirational-moments-of-2024
A death-defying hike, the birth of a son and a chiding from a friend. Rohit Brijnath, David Lee, Kimberly Kwek, Deepanraj Ganesan and Melvyn Teoh asked some of the country’s finest athletes what they remember most this year.
Danelle Tan (Football)
Singapore footballer Danelle Tan with her friend Xiu Myn in Brisbane. PHOTO: COURTESY OF DANELLE TAN
Moving to a new country is always daunting – it’s a leap into the unknown, where familiar faces and comforts are replaced by change and uncertainties. The familiar rhythms of home fade, leaving you to navigate without the steady compass of family and friends. In November, when I learnt I needed to have knee surgery, that sense of uncertainty became sharper.
After the surgery, I needed a place to stay for two nights while the effects of the anaesthesia wore off. That’s when Xiu Myn, someone I’d only known for a few weeks, stepped in without hesitation. She made arrangements for me to stay at her place, cooked meals for me, and made sure I was as comfortable as possible. We chatted, laughed, and for a while, I forgot about the surgery and the frustrations of injury. We often underestimate the impact of our actions. What may seem like a small gesture to one person can mean the world to another. Xiu Myn’s generosity reminded me how powerful kindness can be.
