Netball Singapore today announced the retirement of its Chief Executive Cyrus Medora, who will step down at the end of the year after nearly two decades leading the association.

Since joining Netball Singapore in 2005, Medora, 73, has been instrumental in the development of netball as Singapore’s most popular sport for women and girls. Under his leadership, Netball Singapore has achieved numerous milestones, including the launch of the annual Nations Cup, the hosting of the 2011 Netball World Championships, a historic SEA Games gold medal in 2015 on home soil, and most recently, the national team’s stunning victory at the 2024 Asian Netball Championships, reclaiming the title after a 10-year wait.

Netball in Singapore has grown significantly under Medora’s stewardship, with the sport now played in over 250 schools and with more than 70 registered netball clubs across the country.

“The past 20 years have been an incredible journey, and it has been a great privilege to be part of this wonderful netball fraternity. Our success would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our presidents, board members, and my colleagues – both past and present – who have made working at Netball Singapore such a joy. I also want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the countless volunteers who have given so much of their time and passion to the sport.

“Netball will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will forever be cheering on our beloved national team,” said Medora.

Reflecting on Medora’s contribution, Charmaine Soh, Singapore’s most capped player who retired late last year, said: “Cyrus has been more than a leader – he has been a father figure to all of us. His kindness, compassion, and unwavering support have shaped not just our netball careers but also who we are as individuals. Under his leadership, netball in Singapore has reached unprecedented heights, and his impact will be felt for generations to come. Thank you Cyrus, for your tireless dedication and for making netball in Asia, especially Singapore, what it is today. We are forever grateful for your guidance and vision.”

Interim Head Coach Yeo Mee Hong, who has been actively involved in the coaching setup of the national team since 2005, added: “The success and strength of our national setup, from the Opens to the 21 & Under teams, are a testament to your unwavering support, foresight, and leadership. Your loyalty and kindness have been a constant source of inspiration for all of us, and your willingness to always stand by the teams has made a lasting impact. Thank you Cyrus, for everything you have done for netball in Singapore, and you will always be part of our netball family.”

The impact of Medora’s work extends beyond Singapore, where he is well-regarded in the regional and international netball community.

President of Asia Netball Lakshmi Victoria, who also serves as President of the Sri Lanka Netball Federation, said: “Having had the privilege of knowing and working closely with Cyrus in Asia Netball for over a decade, I can confidently say that his departure will leave a void that will be deeply felt by all. His tremendous contributions to netball, not just in Asia but across the world, are truly beyond words. We will all miss him greatly and remain grateful for his invaluable service to the sport”.

DANIEL HO NAMED AS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Following an extensive search, Netball Singapore has appointed Daniel Ho to succeed Medora as Chief Executive. Ho, 35, is a field hockey player and currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at local media company Mothership. He brings extensive operational leadership experience, having worked in various editorial, commercial, and corporate roles and helping grow the platform into the most-used online news source in Singapore.

As Chief Executive, Ho will focus on ensuring the national team is well-prepared for major competitions, including the 2025 SEA Games, while also building momentum toward the 2029 SEA Games, which Singapore will host. Beyond competition success, Ho aims to enhance the sport’s profile and impact both locally and regionally by working closely with the board, players, and key stakeholders.

“Whether as an athlete, a sports professional, a spectator, or an observer, there is a sense that we are on the cusp of an exciting time for Singapore sport. Netball, as a team sport and one so widely played by women and girls, means so much to so many. To be entrusted with taking Netball Singapore into the future is a responsibility and privilege,” said Ho.

Netball Singapore President Trina Liang expressed her gratitude for Medora’s contributions and optimism about the association’s future under Ho: “The netball fraternity is profoundly grateful to Cyrus for his steadfast dedication to the sport. His leadership has laid a strong foundation for future growth, and we are excited to work closely with Daniel to build on this legacy to take netball in Singapore to even greater heights. We are confident that Netball Singapore will continue to thrive, further strengthening our impact locally and regionally.”

Dr Su Chun Wei, Chief of Singapore Sport Institute, Sport Singapore, added: “Sport Singapore appreciates Cyrus for his contributions and dedication to the sport of netball over the past two decades. Under his leadership, netball has grown from strength to strength in the community, and Team Singapore’s performance improved steadily over the years, as seen during the recent 2024 Asian Netball Championships. We look forward to working with Daniel to bring netball to greater heights and success.”