SHAHEED SERVES UP TENNIS AND CHARITY

National player follows late dad's footsteps to raise $22k at event for migrant workers

- Deepanraj Ganesan

On Aug 17, which would have been his late father's 68th birthday, national tennis player Shaheed Alam honoured his memory by hosting a charity event in support of Singapore's migrant worker community.

Growing up, Shaheed, 27, was constantly encouraged by his father Meqsud Alam - who also introduced him to tennis - to always give back to the community.

Combining his love for the sport and the desire to do his part for the community, Shaheed hosted a fund-raising tennis tournament called Serving Our Heroes at Fairmont Hotel's Savitar Tennis Centre on Aug 17.

The event, which was held in partnership with ItsRainingRaincoats, a charity for migrant workers' welfare, raised over $22,000.

The funds will go towards supporting the well-being and social integration of Singapore's migrant worker community.

At the event, where Law Minister Edwin Tong was the guest of honour, 13 migrant workers participated in a tennis demonstration, in which they engaged in rallies with both Mr Tong and Shaheed.

Shaheed said: "My dad has always inspired me. His life motto was 'the more you give, the more you get' and he always mentioned this to me.

"He also always encouraged me to do good things for the community and contribute as much as I can.

So to be able to do this on his birthday fills me with a lot of joy."