His presence at the club’s sports facility is very imposing because he enjoys his work
His loyalty to Tanah Merah Country Club stems from the fact that he has a special and lasting bond with the club’s management and members.
“They are helpful, encouraging and recognise what you do, and this serves as an impetus for me to do my job to the best of my ability,” says Kesavan Subramaniam, the Head of Sports/ Supervisor at the club’s sports department.
Kesavan, 48, who joined the club in 2004, is a distinct personality at the sports wing – his omnipresence because he performs a multitude of duties at the gym, swimming pool, squash courts and outdoor areas within the expanse of the facility beside the Garden course.
His job needs him to plan for upcoming sports events, manage sports staff and sports facilities, and liaise with the House and Recreation committee on projects, such as the recent construction of the new Esports gaming room.
And where the swimming pool is concerned, he takes a special interest because his National Service stint saw him enjoy the Navy duties, especially where diving into the water is a special passion.
In fact, recently he went a step further in taking a deeper relationship with pool matters, including the cleaning and understanding of the PH and chlorine levels which is a job usually for outside contractors.
The father of two teenagers, aged 16 and 13, is always busy, tending to the sports facility’s needs, sometimes even during his work breaks.
“I have a special relationship with the members and I enjoy the bond with them. I understand their needs and always do my best to ensure their expectations are met.
“And I can see from their reactions, they enjoy engaging in talks with me. This is a healthy situation.”
Kesavan, who resides at Pasir Ris, a 20-minute drive from the Coastal Road club, does not mind working at weekends for he gets to meet more members and their children on the Saturdays and Sundays.
And it is during those two days that he organises camps and meet-up sessions for the members and their families at the club’s sports area.
While he is impressed with the sports facilities, he would like to see more members use them for he believes that some of the facilities are under- utilised.
“I would like to drive home the point that fitness and stamina are important for people indulging in sports. Even for golfers, many of whom seem to just play the game, have a meal and head home.”
“Our sports facility allows for ways to improve fitness, stamina, endurance and help to build core muscles and reduce chances for injuries. These can only add to your performances.”
Kesavan, who had dabbled in football during his schooldays and is a Liverpool fan who had enjoyed the game during the Malaysia Cup days, runs 4 kilometres each twice a week and cycles during weekends with his sons Dinesh, 13, and Shankaran, 16.
He is pleased that the club allowed him to attend enhancement classes with the National Environment Agency, having earlier obtained a diploma in sports and marketing from the Nanyang Polytechnic.
He is also armed with Life Saving Skills from courses between Levels 1 and 3, and this is important when attending to kids training at the swimming pool.
Among the juniors who have grown from kid-level efficiency is 2016 Olympic swimming champion Joseph Schooling, who trained at the TMCC pool under coach Vincent Poon from the age of 3.
“He is such a respectful boy, and I was not surprised that he attained world standards because of his dedication and commitment. He is also a recognised golfer and a good tennis player.
Kesavan, who had worked at Rasa Sentosa Resort before joining TMCC, showed vibes that if given a chance he would stay at the club for a long time.
Simply because the cheerful trim sportsman feels really at home at the club.