Channel NewsAsia
23 May 2009 0940 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has congratulated the members of the Singapore Women’s Everest Team on their successful attempt to reach the highest peak in the world.
In a congratulatory message released Saturday, Mr Lee described it as a major milestone for Singaporean women and the local sporting fraternity.
He added he was deeply impressed by their meticulous preparation, determination, courage and tenacity. Mr Lee also noted it took more than five years of hard work, in physical training, team building and fund raising in order for the team to make it to the top of the world’s tallest mountain, 8,850 metres above sea level.
Two more members of the NATAS Singapore Women’s Everest Team, 39-year-old Joanne Soo and 32-year-old Lee Peh Gee, scaled the summit of Mount Everest on Friday at 7.41am and 8.11am Singapore time respectively. T
he women from the first Singapore team – Jane Lee, Lee Li Hui and Esther Tan – reached the peak on Wednesday and are currently back at Everest Base Camp.
Team leader Jane Lee said: “All of us are very pleased and very happy, and I’m extremely proud of the team. Having stood on the peak of Mt Everest is like a dream come true.”
