AS AN ordinary Singapore citizen who has been following the foreign talent scheme in sports saga, I am perturbed enough to question the way to achieve sports glory, especially the Olympics for Singapore.
Singaporeans and Singapore Citizens: There's a big difference! Yes, fully agree with Mark Wong that there is indeed a big difference between shared memories and experiences that strengthen loyalty bonds. But having said that, perhaps, it is important for us to know that globalisation at a speed and breadth today is something relatively new phenomenon. Given one generation or more (15-20 years) from now, where a vast majority of people in the developed world could be born in one country, brought up in another culture, work and raise family in yet another nation, and who knows, finally, may either return to his/her country of origin for retirement (and death) or move on into yet another place. This why economic globalisation is challenging us on many fronts: ethnic and national identities, cultures and family bonds, and in all these, our loyalties in our relationships with various people (country of birth, growth, employment, and final settlement)! So much for now...and the debate goes on!
Singaporeans have missed the point with all the propaganda from the top. It seems sports is used to justify the influx of foreign talents into Singapore. I would rather wait till a true bred Singaporean win a medal than celebrate a success that is bought. True Olympic spirit is about a Singaporean scaling the heights of competition to reach his best for the nation. It's not about the medal at all. If Junie Sng and Ang Peng Siong stands next to me, I will respect them for their accomplishments and I will be inspired by them. As Singaporeans, they have shown us that true grit and determination can succeed against the Singapore capitalistic nature. How are we suppose to be inspired by the influx of foreigners in our football, table tennis and swimming team ? We have now learned from our illustrous leaders that we can always use money to attract and take short cuts in life. But, wait a minute, did not the leaders say we are stars in our own rights, we can dream and we can achieve ? The question is how do we go about it. I salute the table tennis players for their achievements but to salute the accomplishments of Singaporeans, I will wait for the day that a true Singaporean take the stand on the prize ceremony of an Olympics.
The players as Singapore citizens have done the nation proud by winning a medal.
Most of us Singapore-born citizens have yet and most unlikely to achieve that level of success.
To those who feel that the victory is hollow, I feel they are just a big bunch of sour grapes... It's like those with little (or none at all) talents trying to bring down those with lots of talents for conformity.
These are people too who will often complain and gossip whenever someone other than them gets promoted in the company, saying they bootlicked, had a relationship with the supervisors etc...
In conclusion, they have NOTHING at this level of achievements to do Singaporeans proud. I challenge these people to DO it. Then you are qualified to say that this victory is hollow according to your perspective.
While Tan Howe Liang is considered a 'true' Singaporean and our women table tennis players aren't, is because he moved to Singapore at the tender age of 4. So your whole argument is premised on the fact that the number of years one lives in Singapore makes them truely Singaporeans? I find this reasoning and train of thought utterly shallow and irrelevant. Where do you draw the line? Does an immigrant have to live in Singapore 5 years or 10 or 20 years before YOU consider them true Singaporeans? Please put in a little more effort and hardwork, like our Singapore table tennis team has and try to find a better point to make before you embarass yourself in an open forum with your myopic rhetoric.
Man I was stunned to learn (and I am sure many others too) that one of the paddlers was given citizenship only THIS year. We are so Singapore - very 'pragmatic'.
It takes these paddlers years of practice to reach the level at which they are now. Do you think Singaporean parents will let their kids forgo their academic route and spend their early to teenage years in sports? It will take Singaporeans much longer to see a medal won by a Singapore born-and-bred sportsman.
August 19, 2008 Tuesday, 08:47 AM
