Has the Singapore Government acted too late?
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Greetings to everyone here,
We all know how Singapore has failed to achieve any medals as yet. But tell me, does Singapore _deserve_ to win any medals? Has it spent enough money promoting sports? No, sorry but I don't think so. It has preferred to spend more money on education, on worthless things like new equipment for the army(SAR21), on trying to get people to have more babies (i will touch on this at another time)
However, We have not spent any money on developing sports. I believe many of us are very talented in the area of sports. However, our talent is never developed and our potential, put to waste. I do not believe that all those athletes in Sydney, Maurice Green, Marion Jones, Lenny Krayzelburg, Ian Thorpe, were all born knowing how to run and swim. I believe that they had talent in them, which was developed further, thus letting them achieve their full potential.
Now, as we zoom back to Singapore. Do you see any of our young children being trained in sports? Teenagers ? Teenagers are supposed to be at their peak, with the most stamina and faster recovery rate. However, the government does not realize this and only puts those students in school to study, study and study. PE lessons in schools are only 2 periods a week. Let's compare this with the amount of time we spend in school. I believe that more time can be taken out of the curriculum for sports.
Next, our government could spend more money on sports and encouraging people to do more sports. No, I am not talking about sports for life here, but _really_ developing sports by spending more money to finance those sportsmen who have shown potential. If we really want Singapore to be outstanding, we have to excel in all areas and not just Academics. Not that I'm saying that we're not outstanding enough yet.
Look at Goal 2010. The most unrealistic Goal set by Singapore.(pun fully intended) Just look at the standard of Singaporean football. If we really want to make it in 2010, we should already have taken some action on this. Why 2010? Why not the Olympics in 2004? Wouldn't it be much better? Isn't the Olympics much better than a world cup, having 22 men chase after a round ball in a cage? Remember my friends, the ball is round. But for olympics, if you're good and there's no one better, YOU will have the gold in your hands.
Now that we're in this sorry medalless state, what has the government to say? Sorry to the people? No no. Not even that word. Only Coca Cola Corporations have offered the cash prizes to Jing Jun Hong. Our only hope presently. I hope this will seriously wake the government up.
Thank You -
-footnote-
Sorry if there was anything wrong with the above posting as I'm just a 14 yr old student trapped in the system. However, I have huge dreams of winning the olympics for road bike racing in 4 years. I feel very strongly towards sports. Thank you. -
Come on, show the Govt u can do it w/o S'pore!!!
If u expect them to sit up & do sumting, it's gonna be a long wait. To be able to achieve a goal by oneself is far more rewarding than to have the support of anyone.
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I thought that you'd be loving me.
I thought you were the one who'd stay forever.
But now forever's come and gone
And I'm still here alone. -
HA HA HA, Singapore. HA HA HA!!!
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Road bike racing? I am afraid that is not the list of core sports in Singapore which the government wish to promote. Perhaps you might have a better chance in the 22 man and a ball club or the a man swimming round and round club. Either way, you are all alone in this arena. All the best for your dream and by the way, remember to pick up a good degree on the way. Did i forgot to mention that you can't make a living through furious pumping on a pedestral?
cheerio!
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The Far East Pilgrim -
yeah I'll not only get a degree but i'm planning to go to uni
=) -
good luck in your visions then!
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The Far East Pilgrim -
I think the reason that Singapore hasn't put in a comparable effort in sports is because it doesn't quite fit their grand scheme for survival.
I subscribe to the view that Singapore, with its limitations in size and economy amongst other things, needs to focus most of its efforts on the economy. So, we pour money in the infrastructure, education (or propaganda depending on how and what you are discussing) etc.
I think sports in Singapore, as far as most of those outside soccer are concerned, will not be able to promote a robust trade, domestic or otherwise. It would thus be difficult to convince people to pour money into it. Not that there has been zero effort I think, but I am no expert in this area.
Sports is big in other countries because of many reasons. Some ascribe it to tradition (Swimming and Australia), others are due to it being big business (atheletics in the US) to name just a few examples. Personally, I think as far as olympic sports are concerned, Singapore does not have the tradition or the scale of economy to substantiate that sort of environment. At the moment any way.
As with any hot blooded human, if you really love something, you pour spirit and energy and blood and sweat into it. I'm sure there are people in Singapore who are ferverent enough about their favourite sport to sponsor/ support themselves to train and participate. Just for the heck of it. I'm reminded of a friends uncle who sponsors himself in race car driving, along side the professionals who are sponsored by Ferarri and the lot. One bump on his car and 2 months pay gone, compared to other people having one or two spare cars (complete with engines.)
Such dedication. Woohooo! And thats what we should all admire and appreciate. People like that could do with a lot more sponsorship and support from people with money.
I'll agree that the PE lessons in schools are a joke. I was just thinking when watching the olympics how ridiculous our track and field lessons were (in my time anyway.) Sian PE teachers looking at a bunch of sian students, just letting them run some 100 metre dash and timing them for show. And the faster boys charming all the girls while fat idiots who run slower than 15 seconds get laughed at. WHATS WRONG WITH RUNNING SLOW? I DON'T HAVE THE GENETICS YOU BUNCH OF... never mind.
I do digress.
To have more money for sports, you need to have people willing to spend them. Sponsors, spectators, supporters. No question about that. It will be just like in the academic field. Only the best of the best getting the support, and competition will be fierce.
Meanwhile, whatever sport you like, practice hard and have fun. Just as importantly, as Mr Hata San has said, you still need a good education to give you alternatives when you hang up your helmet.
[This message has been edited by pacman (edited 23 September 2000).] -
as usual, i'm out of topic but who cares? i don't, it's Saturday & i'm stuck at home. *yawn* hehe ... after this, i'm off to bed liao.
just wanted to say that you write really well for a 14 year old guy and i'm DEAD jealous.
and pacman dear,
hi!
better not yoohoo for you here but still want to say hi. miss you on a Saturday night, i just hope i won't wake up to pee like at 12 mn, i wannnnnnnt to sleep till tomorrow morning, preferably until 10 or 11 am. hahahaha ...
good night everybody!
sleepy & tired colette -
trial biker,
if you r the top 5% ah, confirm the money will start to pump into you one...
private firms= advertisement
public funds= nation building
boh bian one lah...ehehehe -
hope those damn @!#$@! china-borns don't win any medals for Singapore or it'll be a disgrace to me...Originally posted by Hello Kitty:Come on, show the Govt u can do it w/o S'pore!!!
i personally hate the practice of IMPORTING sporting talent and passing it off as our own, itz juz like giving the whole brazilian team PR status then telling them to play in the SEA Games!
Itz juz like buying a ferrari then giving it a toyota body and entering it under competitions in the F1 as a toyota.
Now the Freaking table-tennis meet is like a chinese reunion, imagine Jing Junhong is playing against her former team mate! wat fucking rubbish is tat, wherez the sense of national pride and loyalty?
They should only allow the children of these PRs to participate b4 we can truly and proudly say they are Singaporeans!
hooray?
tat china woman has lost!
tatz good, at least she won't equal or better our homegrown weightlifter's achievements, but i won't mind if itz her daughter next time who gets it.
As long as they're born in Singapore.
the next worst thing is the badminton player called rudy from indonesia..going ard asking other ctys for PR..
and somemore... if i'm not wrong the medal incentive is 100% sponsored by Coke and not a single bit from the government!
Not to fear..i am currently working towards the next Presidency Elections..rem to vote for me in 20 years time -
Thank you colette, you flatter me =)
Well, its true that coke's sponsoring 100% of it and the SG govt? haha
probably one of those dinners for formalities sake.
SG govt never fails to amuse me with the things it does. Baby bonus? haha for what. Not like we've got enough space to accomodate them. Not like we've got enough resources anyway.
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You are my shangri-la -
Our kids are too busy going for extra lessons which they may or may not need and with our competitive school workload,it's no surprising we can't produce can good sportsmen or women.Imagine going for training after a tiring day at school and every day has only 24 hours,hehee
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Drooling is not to be drooled to the extreme.
Burping is not to be done to the extreme.
If eating is done to the extreme.
Your tummy will bring you to the toilet.
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Waiting for Diablo 2 Add-on -
Trial Biker,
i heard that flattery gets one everywhere and i'm flattered you're flattered. so, how old are you? definitely not a 14 year old from the way you write. -
Well.. i totally agree with you, Trial Biker..
Do you guys know that a recent (or was it last yr?) badminton tournament that was suppose to be held in singapore was not held in singapore in the end?
Why?
Becuase the respective authorities cannot choke up the money to hold such an event... The government didn't chip in and all they had were funds that was donated and reserves...
(I hope the information was correct)
I believe one way to inspire quality sportmen and women is to encourage more pple to watch sports events on TV.
The recent olympics which i watched with much enthusiasm has aspire me to want to help Singapore in her bid or a medal..
I even went to time my own personal time in Swimming..which i am actively involve in ..winning several individual titles in school swimming meets..
I hope that everyday...more singaporean teenagers would have this kind of ambition and sense of national pride.
I talk more next time as I gotta go now!