RP drone soccer team finishes 5th at FIDA Intercontinental Cup 2026 in South Korea
Schools
School of Engineering
14 August 2026
Made up of RP School of Engineering students and alumni, Merlion 20 represented Singapore against 14 national teams at the FIDA Intercontinental Cup 2026 in Songdo, South Korea, with club team Republic Ospreys making history as the only non-Korean team to reach the semi-finals.
RP School of Engineering (SEG) students and alumni flew the Singapore flag at the FIDA Intercontinental Cup 2026, held in Songdo, South Korea in July.
Merlion 20 earned their place on the national team by defending their first-place title at the Drone Soccer Championship 2026, organised by the Association of Drone Soccer Singapore. At the international competition, they competed against 14 national teams from around the world and finished fifth overall.
"Drone soccer is a true team sport," says team leader Aeron Haw. "Without everyone's trust, communication, and teamwork, I don't think we could have achieved something this meaningful."
As the only female player on Singapore's national drone soccer team, Sharveena N.K sees every competition as a chance to challenge stereotypes and inspire more women to take up male-dominated sports with confidence. "Being able to represent both RP and Singapore while breaking these barriers has made every competition even more meaningful," she shares.
For Ryan Chiang, the support of his teammates carried him through the toughest moments. "There were times I really wanted to give up, but my teammates didn't look away," he shares. "They encouraged me and reminded me why I should keep going. That helped me stay positive even when things got difficult."
The team was coached by Mr Jason Yap, Mr Ong Lee Weng and Ms Tan Zhen Ling.
RP's club teams also made their mark at the competition's Club Class 20 category. Republic Ospreys made history as the only non-Korean team to reach the semi-finals, finishing fourth out of 45 clubs. The Republic Hornets and Republic Ravens also gained valuable international experience, finishing 25th and 36th respectively.
From competing on the international drone soccer stage to becoming a certified commercial drone pilot, RP SEG students are taking drone technology further than ever. Discover how the Sky Explorer programme can launch your own journey in drone aviation.