For seasoned athlete, Ajay Singh Shergill (Y4, FASS), some of his most defining moments at NUS have taken place not in classrooms, but under the bright lights of competition.
A committed member of NUS Volleyball, Ajay represented TeamNUS in inter-tertiary meets such as the Singapore University Games (SUniG) and Team Singapore in international competitions such as the recently concluded SEA Games.
A recipient of both the NUS Sports Scholarship, and Sportsman of the Year (Merit) at the NUS Achievement Awards (NAA), Ajay counts his role as the Singapore men’s volleyball team Captain at the ASEAN University Games in 2022 and 2024 as his proudest achievement. Both times he led the team to deliver a bronze medal for Singapore at the competition.
Beyond results, Ajay is recognised for his composure, work ethic, and ability to bring teams together. As a registered volleyball coach working with schools and open-category teams, Ajay continues to invest in the sport’s future, seeing leadership not as a culmination, but as an ongoing responsibility.
OSA spoke with Ajay after the SEA Games, ahead of his final semester as a NUS undergraduate and TeamNUS athlete.
OSA: You were thrust into volleyball at a young age, and pursued it in the Direct School Admission (DSA) track in secondary school. How did volleyball blossom into a lifelong passion?
Ajay: I have been playing volleyball since Primary 3. What turned it into a lifelong passion was realising that the work ethic I developed through sport could translate directly into my studies. As I became more disciplined in training, I applied the same mindset academically. In four years, I improved significantly from a PSLE T-score of 178 to achieving an O-Level score of eight. That made me appreciate sport as more than just competition.
OSA: You spend long hours in regular sports training. How do you balance both academics and co-curricular pursuits and how do they complement each other?
Ajay: I see myself as a student-athlete, with academics always coming first. Balancing both requires discipline and intentional time management. I make use of pockets of time, be it studying on the train, during travel, or between training sessions. Over time, I realised that the habits I developed through sport, such as consistency, resilience, and accountability, strengthened my academic performance rather than clashing with it.
OSA: Of all your matches, which was the most memorable, and why?
Ajay: Captaining the Singapore men’s volleyball team at the ASEAN University Games in 2022 and 2024 was a standout moment. Winning Singapore’s first-ever bronze medal in 2022 as an incoming Year 1 student, and then repeating that achievement in 2024, was incredibly meaningful. Leading the team on an international stage and seeing the collective effort pay off made those moments unforgettable.
OSA: What lesson from sports has influenced your life beyond the court?
Ajay: The biggest lesson sport has taught me is that hard work and consistency matter more than talent alone. Progress isn’t always immediate, but showing up every day, even when it’s difficult, builds long-term results. This mindset has shaped how I approach my studies, relationships, and career, focusing on steady improvement rather than quick wins.
OSA: You are no stranger to sports medals. How did it feel to receive your first award at NAA, which celebrates the highest achievements in student life at NUS?
Ajay: Unlike most sports awards, this award honours the journey beyond competition, balancing academics, sport, and personal growth. It represents not just results, but consistency, discipline, and the values that sport has instilled in me over the years, which makes it especially meaningful.
I immediately thought of the people who supported me consistently behind the scenes. My girlfriend, who encouraged me to apply, has been a strong source of motivation and encouragement throughout demanding periods of training, exams, and competition. I’m also grateful to my parents -- my mum for always taking care of me, especially through late-night suppers, and my dad for the countless hours spent sending me to trainings, matches, and airports. Their support has allowed me to focus on doing my best both academically and in sport.
OSA: What will you be busy with in your final semester before graduating in July 2026?
Ajay: I’ll be interning with PwC while completing my final two modules in the evenings. I’m still actively playing volleyball and continuing to reflect on how I want sport to remain part of my life moving forward, whether as a player or in another capacity. Regardless, sport will always be a core part of who I am.
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