I WOULD like to applaud the Nanyang Technological University students who organised the NTU Bike Rally last Sunday.

They did an outstanding job from the planning to the execution. I have attended various sports races over the last two years, including those organised by big commercial organisations, and this is the first time I feel the organisers have done a brilliant job despite the magnitude and complexity of the race logistics.

The students took great pains to ensure that every participant had a fun and safe ride. As a doctor myself, I was highly impressed by the medical coverage provided. The numerous safety cyclists that rode along the whole 128km route were helpful and timely in providing first aid to the participants. The ambulance was also seen circling numerous times and this provided a great psychological lift to the riders to know that professional help was readily available.

The heavy downpour in the afternoon was not a dampener. In fact, it was a great test of the tenacity of the student organisers.

They skilfully executed their contingency plans, braving the heavy rain, providing refreshments to the participants who were taking shelter at the stadiums, painstakingly loading the bikes onto the lorries (also driven by NTU students) and ensuring participants boarded the chartered buses and disembarked correctly at the next checkpoint. Everything was done with clockwork precision and efficiency.

Special mention must also be made of the students who were stationed on the road throughout the whole cycling course. Despite the heat and the subsequent heavy rain, they did an excellent job in providing directions with a smile.

My friend and fellow participant, Mr Gerard Chua, who works in an international bank and is in charge of organising events for the 'financial elite', has also given the thumbs-up to the organisers. He would also like to congratulate the students on a job well done.

Now we are convinced that NTU students would have no problems landing themselves successful careers in future, having witnessed first-hand their capabilities and ingenuity.

Dr Anthony Thian

This article was first published in The Straits Times.