I am not celebrating
Saturday, 23 August 2008, 1:14 am | 148 views
The following article is contributed by Anthony Yeo, Consultant Therapist. TOC thanks Anthony for taking the time to pen his thoughts for us.
Anthony Yeo
In the final analysis, the more I ponder over this matter, the more inclined I am to hang my head in shame as I am not celebrating our Olympics success.
Now that Singapore has finally won a medal at the Olympics after a 48-year wait, there is much euphoria and accolades for what the table-tennis team has achieved.
The Straits Times editorial of 18 August was all praise for the table-tennis players and their achievement, their being imports from China notwithstanding.
Likewise, columnist Chua Mui Hoong also categorically stated that,“No matter their country of origin, what matters is that Li, Wang and Feng, and many, many more of those watching the finals at home, and their forefathers – made a conscious choice to be Singaporean and to be part of Team Singapore”. (ST Aug 18, 2008)
As the nation celebrates, I am perturbed.
A need to make a distinction
It has to do with the perpetual issue about foreign talent. Put bluntly, we have adopted the view that for all intents and purposes, Singapore needs foreign talent. As the editorial affirmed, “The case will be made ad infinitum of why Singapore must continue to make itself welcoming of research scientists, artistes and creative people, entrepreneurs, academics and wealth creators. There is no substitute for skill.” (ST Aug 18, 2008)
Although we can acknowledge the value of foreign talent in the areas indicated in the editorial, we need to further clarify who these people are and their place in our society.
There is no need to debate the value of contribution that foreign talent can add to Singapore. It is axiomatic that an open society should be hospitable to such talent to augment the wealth of a nation, materially or otherwise. Nations have been enriched culturally and spiritually by the interaction of talents from all sources.
Unfortunately, we seem to misunderstand the infusion of foreign talent in the field of sports, mainly the table-tennis imports from China. There is a distinction we must make between importing talented foreign sportsmen and women and those others we attract to enrich other aspects of life in Singapore.
For one, other foreign talents may not necessarily make Singapore their home. That is a choice that is not denied to them. They come to offer their contributions and may or may not become citizens. This is true of scientists, academics, artistes, religious teachers and a host of talented people whom we welcome for enriching our nation.
We do not insist that they become citizens in order to make their presence and contribution felt, although some have been persuaded to take up citizenship. If they do, we embrace them as representatives of Singapore. If they do not, we will still acknowledge their contribution without claiming ownership.
Furthermore, when foreign talents come, Singaporeans can learn from them and in the process, may have the potential to replace them if necessary so that Singaporeans can benefit from their contribution. This will make us less dependent on foreign talent for an extended period. If need be, there can be a collaborative endeavour in harnessing talents for the enhancement of knowledge and skills in various disciplines.
There is a difference in the field of sports, namely the importation of foreign sports people for winning awards for Singapore.
Questions we need to ask ourselves
In the case of the table-tennis players, they were intentionally scouted and enticed to come to Singapore for the expressed purpose of helping us win in competitions — and in this instance to end Singapore’s Olympics medal drought.
In a sense these players from China have no choice but to be made citizens if they wish to represent Singapore. They also come to us with the sole intention of advancing their goal of being recognised sportswomen. Inasmuch as we want them to win for us, they also want to win on account of us. It is a reciprocal, symbiotic relationship that can be devoid of any values as it is deemed a fair exchange.
Yet there is a value issue for Singapore. It behooves us to search ourselves and be bold enough to ask certain questions.
The questions we may need to ask include:
- To what extent is this the way to go in building up our talent pool in the field of sports?
- What is our goal for participation in sports, just to win, or primarily to participate?
- What values are we communicating to our young in terms of how they should value themselves since we are implicitly placing greater value on those who can achieve by having such imports?
- How might such talented players contribute to nurturing local talent when they are mainly playing to win?
- In what way is sports “coming of age”, as declared by one government official, when we can have instant sportswomen groomed by others but capitalised by us for winning ways?
- To what extent might this stifle local talent, as it would take a longer time to nurture local sportsmen and women when we can easily import skilled players from elsewhere?
- What is the long-term commitment to Singapore from such imports and their ongoing contribution to development of sports in Singapore?
We must confront such questions and more, so as to think about what it means to aim for shortcuts to success in the field of sports. This may apply to other aspects of life for us, as we need to clarify as to what extent we wish to evolve a culture of short routes to success.
Value
We need to consider how we could be instilling in the minds of our young that they are not valued as much as foreign talent, as it may take too long to nurture them to high-level performance. Could we unwittingly be communicating that we would prefer to import people than to invest money and energy to nurture local potential sportsmen and women? It could also be possible that we would be telling our young that it is not worth their efforts trying to aspire to be winners since we can always go hunting for ready-made winners.
Of course we may refer to other countries which do the same and proclaim that this is a normal practice elsewhere.
This obviously does not justify what we do as we often profess to be unique and that we need not always emulate other countries. We consider Singapore as not like any other and we pride ourselves in our ability to survive and flourish as a nation.
We do not need to do what others do just to aim for prized success.
Differentiating an immigrant from an import
Sometimes we refer to the fact that Singapore is a nation where our forefathers were primarily migrants. Hence there is no reason why we cannot now attract foreign talents to bolster our chances of success in every field and win Olympics medals as well.
This seems to confuse the issue, as we are not differentiating between an immigrant and an import.
For example, mention was made that all our Olympics medallists hail from China, with particular reference to Tan Howe Liang, our original silver medallist.
But there is a difference between Tan Howe Liang and the table-tennis China girls.
Tan Howe Liang migrated to Singapore, not to be a weightlifter or to win Olympics medals but to live and work. He made Singapore his home and became a weightlifter on his own initiative. When he finally made it to the Olympics, he did it with his own resources and when he returned as our hero, there was hardly any fanfare.
All that came much, much later with each Olympics that came along until he was relieved when he learnt that Singapore was on the way to winning an Olympics medal after what he had achieved so very long ago.
No shortcuts
If we truly wish to be a sporting nation, we cannot pay lip service and resort to shortcut measures for competitive sports. We may include foreign talent but our primary pool of sportsmen and women must be people of the soil.
Otherwise, we would be constantly sending a team from another country to play against the team from their country of origin. No wonder it was said that we had a B team from China representing Singapore playing against the A team from China.
If we were to stretch the argument further, what is to stop us from importing a whole football team from Brazil as intimated by a writer of the forum page (ST Aug 21) or any other sporting team from any country just to be winners in international competitions?
In similar vein, what would stop other sports from deciding on emulating the table-tennis association? Where do we draw the line?
In the final analysis, the more I ponder over this matter, the more inclined I am to hang my head in shame as I am not celebrating our Olympics success. In fact I am ashamed and deprived of a sense of dignity for being a Singaporean.
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Agree with your sentiments Anthony !
I applaud China’s B team for their efforts in winning the silver for themselves and the Singapore govt. More importantly, my thanks to the other sportsmen/women who represented us at the Olympics. Winning is not everything.
Values such as integrity, pride, honour, sense of fairplay, spirit of competition, respect for opponents come to mind when I make my judgement on this govt. Their very questionble methods employed to win elections reflect the lack of such values and I personally cannot respect this govt’s political victories. So it comes as no surprise to me when this govt went for the shortcut to buy the silver.
[...] A nice article to read here. [...]
Another point to ponder about. Suppose a top research scientist comes to Singapore, attracted by the big money offered by A*STAR and then became a citizen. One year later, he was nominated and won the Nobel Prize lets say in Physics. But the work which made him so outstanding was 95% done when he was in his home country. Do we embrace him and the government lauds him for winning a Nobel Prize as a Singaporean? Will there be as much discussion or hatred for him? Will there be disgust as the government is trying to claim the prize as one for the country?
2nd point to think about. Some are biased against Wang Yuegu and Feng Tianwei for being very auntie-like. If they had looked like Zhang Ziyi and Liu Yifei, will they be embraced as Singaporeans more easily?
Gd piece TOC to publish. I was abt to bitch abt yr coverage of this issue: No not another piece!
Gd stuff Anthony. Like the difference between import and immigrant.
Better than the others published: combined.
Many countries are doing the same to import foreign players. So to me, so long as you dorn the Singapore colours i.e, you are representing Singapore.
Anthony, I agreed with your reasoning put forward on the difference between import and immigrant.
Why we have to waste our bloody time arguing over the issues of foreign talents. There are some who use Singapore as a stepping stone for greener pastures but there are also some who want to make Singapore their home. We just cant simply blame the govt if such import play us out one of these days when they get tired of being a Singaporean. The govt of the day like every local Singaporeans would very much wish we make the right judgment. After all, the foreign talents are human beings and not robots which can be programmed to be a Singaporean eternally.
Mr. Anthony Yeo and Xtralicious have both stated their views very clearly - it’s the foreign talent policy and not the fact that the players are foreign-born that is the issue causing Singaporeans to be unhappy.
This represents the broad view of the commenters here as well. We have emphasized this numerous times.
Unfortunately, there has been repeated attempts by government supporters to deliberately misrepresent this view as racism or xenophobia. Such a strawman position is easier to attack because you can label critics as bigots, or racists or luddites and dismiss everything they say.
This letter to the ST forum is a classic example:
“Let’s learn from Canada” - by Cheong Wing Lee
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Story/STIStory_270895.html
Not only do they muddle the issue, they also repeat it again and again and again to force the message home, as if all Singaporeans are made of stupid.
Their strategy is that if you repeat it often enough people will eventually give up and believe. That is why there are so many articles in the MSM glorifying the silver medal win to the extent that it is making people puke.
If you keep denying it, then the problem will go away. If you keep saying that it is a minority opinion, then somehow magically it will become one and everybody’s brain will magically turn off. They should be aware that their constant drumming is having a counterproductive effect.
These posting, albeit strongly worded in parts, in the ST forum are spot on:
Pushkin62
Today, 09:39 AM
Singapore is not a sporting nation. It is the government that wants to go all out to win a medal at all costs, no matter what it takes. As ordianry Singaporeans, none of us aspire to be an Olympian or to win an Olympic medal. We are generally contented with earning money and living a peaceful and quiet life. All this hype and propaganda about foreign-born atheletes winning medals for Singapore is purely to justify the influx of foreigners into Singapore.
Yes, I accept the fact that indigenous Singaporeans do not have what it takes to win an Olympic medal. I accept the fact that Singaporeans will never be able to win an Olympic medal on their own merits. So what is wrong with that? Are we worse off than other countries? Are we worse off than China, Russia, America and other sporting nations? No. I am comfortable with that.
But I feel revolted and repulsed when foreign-born atheletes are put on the pedestal, hero-worshipped and lauded for bringing so-called fame and glory to Singapore. Whose fame? Whose glory? Glory to themselves - for being able to enrich their bank accounts by a 6-digit sum. Glory to the MIWs - for being able to justify the influx of foreigners to Singapore to compete with you and me for jobs and scholarships.
Li Jiawei was in tears when she lost the bid for bronze against China in the singles event last night. She was shedding tears not because she did not get the bronze medal. She was shedding tears because $500,000 disappeared before her eyes. She is a shameless, mercenery traitor to her motherland - a double-headed snake. When interviewed by CCTV in Guangdong last month, she said: `I am a Beijing native and a Chinese national. I hope to win a medal on home territory’. Note that she still considers herself a Chinese national, not a Singapore citizen. Singapore citizenship is only on paper. The Chinese psyche, outlook and attitudes cannot be erased.
Time for Li Jiawei to pack her bags and return to motherland. Question is whether or not motherland will want her back. China does not take very kindly to traitors - they were beheaded in olden days.
wagga
Today, 10:58 AM
I agree with pushkin62.
At the end of the day, being a Singapore citizen alone is not enough. You have to be immersed in the culture and at “one” with the people. That’s why you find that “locals” have more things in common and share somewhat similar values with one another, albeit of different races and religion, when it comes to social mix.
New citizen should try to work hard to blend in as much as possible. Only time will tell if they will be accepted as Singaporean.
As for citizenship for sport, I don’t think it is that important for Singapore.
I remember when SIngapore soccer team was playing against an international team and was telecast live overseas (I am located overseas). I actually came back home early for the match. After watching for a couple of minutes, I realised half the team are not “locals”. Suddenly, I don’t have that Singapore feeling about the team. Off the TV and did other stuff.
I can’t explain it. It just a hollow feeling when you know your “countrymen” are imported.
I wonder, if Jiawei knows more than a dozen other people of other race since being a Singapore citizen.
Busy trying to make ends meet, I am amazed that so much time, attention and money is spent on foreign imports or so call talents in anything they do or are seen - it is time to really take stock of the situation.
Do we need to spend millions of dollars?, newspaper editors writings to comment on what we are? ministers and president’s time to “cheer “?
What a waste of resources in such an uncertain time. Perhaps some people have nothing to do, and others like the newspapers editors need busybodying as their only way to earn their living.
It is a time to really prioritise the nations efforts- the Government can start and set the example by doing volunteering work - start with the elderly - they are the parents of all of us afterall - give them some appreciation and comfort in their final years, and include Tan Howe Liang!
A fine example of a business relationship that percolates an entire nation. Time for the merchants to step back?
Why Spore don’t train locals to be sportsman/women. Spore wants easy way out. Pay the ministers so much, no solution, even the population policy talk so long, from father to son, also no solution. They are really no world standard minister, but in terms of salary, world number one, can get a GOLD medal .!!
PAP failed and will fail miserably as long as this country of theirs cannot and do not produce a home-bred, home-built Olympic medallist if they are so hard-up of one, other than Howe Liang Tan.
No matter what they say, how they say, what they do and how they do - nothing will count if any athelete is ‘bought’
i quote, “importing foreign talented sports men and women and those others we attract to enrich other aspects of life in Singapore.”
there seems to be some form of distinction between the two. i feel that this implies that these foreign sports talents are imported and not attracted here. if they were scouted, but if they were not attracted to singapore, what would make them come? it should be possible for them to reject the offer and stay in their own country is that not? if they have made the choice to come over and play for singapore or any other country just like many other countries are, it could be said that they were attracted here, not because they were “imported”.
it is also said that the primary pool of sportsmen and women should be from the local talents. we must first question if we do have that large pool that many other countries have. we don’t have a large population and that reduces the number talents we have locally. even for countries with large populations, they do have foreign talents in their national teams as well. the second thing is, will singaporeans support our own local talent? would we support them even though they may not be of international standard? i don’t see much of support for local sports, how can you expect so much out of local talent when singaporeans don’t even suport them?
with globalization, you cannot stop the movement of people, and these so called foreign talent. there is increased mobility, if you reject the idea of foreign talents playing for singapore and becoming PRs, you could say we have given up on the fight since so many countries are doing the same. we have to move with the world to keep up and not be left behind.
on the other hand- indeed, i would be sad if they were truly here for the money. i guess we wouldn’t truly know- until then, i guess many singaporeans, including myself, could stay delusional and accept that they really want to fight for us.
“PAP failed and will fail miserably as long as this country of theirs cannot and do not produce a home-bred, home-built Olympic medallist if they are so hard-up of one, other than Howe Liang Tan.
No matter what they say, how they say, what they do and how they do - nothing will count if any athelete is ‘bought’”
…I’m sorry, are you blaming the PAP for Singapore not having an olympic medalist?
Are you serious?
The entire US women’s table tennis team comprises of China born women. Quite ironic that when they reached the quarter finals, their press supported them 100% and not a single question on their nationality was raised except to celebrate their success at reaching where no other women representing the US in table tennis have gone before. Same thing too with the chinese in the Dominican republic and the other 17 teams with China born players.
Yet today, we have people including so called “singaporeans” casting doubt on the success of individuals who, despite what anyone might doubt, represent Singapore in their capacity as Singapore citizens.
I personally rejoice in the Singapore team’s achievements at this Olympics. If representing Singapore is not an honour and celebrated, no sportsperson in Singapore will ever be honoured. Today, we question the birth place. Tomorrow, why not parentage? What about sex and weight and looks?
The Olympics is not about differences but unity. I would expect Singaporeans cherishing unity should be united in the celebration of their success. I certainly am.
The table tennis victory to obtain the silver medal is an achievement for Singapore, but at the same times goes to show that foreign talents do better than Singapore, which is in some way not an acceptable views for some.
Even as of now, I will only truly support Team Singapore if everyone is 100% Singapore and not of any foreign origin in any sense. During the victory ceremony last Sunday, I wonder if any of our 3 players Li Jiawei, Feng Tianwei and Wang Yuegu got sing China’s national anthem or not. If they do, it shows they are here not exactly for Singapore.
Lest we forget, Singapore is a nation of immigrants.
Many of the politicians (old guards) were from Malaysia, including Rajaretnam and Hon Siew Sen and Devan Nair. Lim Kim San was from Medan.
Many of our own forefathers came from China, india, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and even Yemen. This is diversity of a special kind.
The CEO of DBS bank is a foreigner and so is the CEO of the OCBC bank. Many of the senior executives at the GIC and Temasek are foreigners, guarding and growing our foreign reserves, and we hire them because of the conventional wisdom that “knowledge creates wealth.”
The media director of SIA is an Englishman. SIA’s first and second MDs were ex-Malaysians. Today many of its pilots are foreigners !!
The first Singaporean to climb Mt Everest was born in Malaysia. Catherine Lim was born in Malaysia. Do we cut our noses to spite our faces just because they were not born here?
Many of the FT who clean our toilets at the Airport and employed in the lowly paid construction jobs are foreigners. Do we despise them or do we welcome them?
Our national footbal team has a couple of FT. Do we despise them too?
The French football team won the world cup with Zidane who was born in Algeria and Henry Tierney is a French African. The British team at the Beijing Games is littered with African sounding names.
Almost all the paddlers playing in the last 16 at the Beijing Olympics have chinese sounding names and they play for such diverse national flags such as Sweden, Germany, Canada, Nederlands, France, Australia, Turkey, USA and the Dominican Republic.
So why not Singapore, when we have such a small talent pool to start with?
Do we just roll over and play dead during the Olympics every four years or do we play the game like everyone else and be grateful that some foreign-born Singaporeans like Howe Liang and Jia Wei can do, at least most of us, proud?
I say stop complaining, be gracious and welcome all new Singaporeans to our shores.
Kent - not again.
Maybe if you guys keep twisting this argument one more million times, you can turn black into white.
“As ordianry Singaporeans, none of us aspire to be an Olympian or to win an Olympic medal. We are generally contented with earning money and living a peaceful and quiet life.”
What an encouraging attitude. I wonder if that’s the sort of attitude that’s going to be shown to the next kid who’s dreaming of being the next Olympic champion, or european-club level footballer, artist, fashion designer, etc.
This is a country which to some extent really does celebrate mediocrity. To put it in one way, I hear many stories of parents who aren’t ready to let their kids pursue their dreams away from the confines of this island. If parents of Brazillian footballers had this lack of can-do spirit, we wouldn’t really be finding many top level players at the famous European clubs would we?
I celebrated after the 2 singapore player finished their journey in the woman semi-finals. Expected lah. They can only win if we pay for them to train full-time in china and not step into singapore cos when they are localised like us, there is no fighting spirit. thanks to our environment and the bunch of people who create it. without you people , Singapore would not be like this today — All cannot think cos top people think only , you just follow. Don’t say the people everything also bo chap. you create us. Everyone want to work hard then leave for good. Count on me singapoooo.
I am happy that they won the silver medal but I’m NOT proud that Singapore won a silver medal. From my point of view, there is nothing to be proud of when the team that do us that “honour” was contracted to do so on commercial terms. Becoming Singapore citizens is just part of the contractual terms and conditions the girls have to fulfill. Now that they have fulfilled their obligations, they will be duly rewarded.
But it is not the girls fault. It is just unfortunate they are borned in a country where there are hundred of thousands of good table-tennis players. They have to be in the top 3 or 4 to have a chance to represent China and perform on the biggest stage like the Olympic Games and the World Championship. If they can’t make it in China, the only way to achieve their personal goals, they would have to look elsewhere. And there are willing buyers (the various countries willing to natuaralise them), so they become willing sellers. These are just commercial arrangements. And a successful medal-bearing one too for Singapore.
As far as the govt and NSAs are concerned, they will feel that the FTS for sports is a success now that a medal is bagged after 48 years. But is it really a success?
When the scheme was conceived, one of the key argument put forward was that it would raise the standards of our local players and will inspire more of young talents. Was this KPI met ? And I wonder, is it still a KPI ?
As far as table-tennis is concerned, the team has measurable success for the past 10 years. Jin Jun Hong finished fourth in the 2000 Games and Li Jia Wei also finished fourth in 2004 Games. Surely, finishing fourth at the Olympics Games must be inspiring to our local talents. But where are our local talents ? Did they help our local talents raised their standards or inspire them in anyway ? Have our local talents really benefitted from their presence in our midst ?
In the past, the team has Tay Paey Fern, a local. After her, there is no one else but just imported citizens. When Zhang Xue Ling decided to return to China, the NSA conveniently replaced her with Feng Tian Wei to keep their medal hope alive. Will such practice inspire our local talents knowing that it is so easy for the NSAs to import a citizen then to invest in our local talents ?
In reality, I believe our local talents will be discouraged. Because no matter how talented they may be and how hard they train, as long as they are not good enough to win a medal for Team Singapore, they will be replaced with imported citizens.
All dedicated sportsman aspires to compete at the highest level. Performing their best is always a goal and winning a medal is a bonus. But if their chance to compete is going to be taken away if the NSAs deem winning medals is more important by importing citizens, then I’m not sure if anyone wants to continue to sweat their butt off.
Our forefathers came here with difficuties to earn every cent and dollar with blood and sweat. Not like present foreign ‘talents’. The question is are they really ‘talents’?? I doubt so..
Somehow, table tennis is no longer a game with multi-national participants, almost all countries used China’s sportmen. This set me thinking that should table tennis be one of the ball game in the Olympics coz apparently, it was like China Team A vs China Team B in most games.
Agreed with Anthony! Not proud at all. I remembered earlier on this week, there’s also an article with the title: “Siver medal for Singapore! Really?” - Quoted the title from a local blogger. Hmm.. but quite strange, it was removed after it was only up for a day on online citizen. More than 60 comments were made and majority were negative comments against Singapore winning. Maybe that’s why it was removed to avoid an impact too harsh. I like the article too. The viewings hit more than a thousand just for that particular day. For those who didnt get to read it, a pity.
Only true blue Singaporean Sportmens are our nation pride even though they won no medal. Their courage to stand on the world stage is already a recognition. Thanks for their hard work in the Olympics!!
We should put the money in good use to train local bred sportmen. Even if we didnt have a good one, we should used the money for the needy in our nation. Foreign Talent Sportmenship Scheme should be cancelled. Just consider, do we really need to hire foreigners to win that Olympics medal so desperately? We have won many medals throught S.E.A, Asean games and etc by our local bred sportmen. And just think; How many of our Singaporeans are struggling with money for children going to school and struggling with daily expenses? How many of our elders are helpless with expensive medical expenses??? Consider and Think again.
To me, nothing is great about the winning the silver medal. Li Jiawei, Feng Tianwei and Wang Yuegu had done a great job. Congratulation you had won the silver medal. This was your own personal achievement. This was your chance to prove your ability and you had made it. You should take whatever rewards that were planned for you. However, I am sorry I got to say this got nothing to do to Singapore’s achievement.
I know, people response to incentive, so I am not going to direct my anger to these player.
From lim’s and Kent’s comments, I see they are implying that we CANNOT ACCEPT FOREIGNERS. They are suggesting hatred.
These innocent ladies who are from China might not even know what is happening in Singapore. Should we hate foreigners then?
No, it’s the policies that bring them here. Kent and lim are trying to say we do not welcome foreigners. Unless it is foreigners like Amit Nagpal, I would not even express I do not welcome them. I would accept them and divert the anger to the group of people who had created this situation.
Just to add in… I personally do not hate them but I do not welcome them.
Kenya and Jamica did not rely on foreign talents to win their gold medals. They just concentrate in the sports that they do best.
I am happy that they had chosen to represent Singapore and won the silver medal. We should welcome them with open arms as they have made the decision to come here. My father emigrated to Singapore and raise a family here. Does it make him a lesser Singaporean just because he was born in a foreign land?
Let’s not belittle or begrudge the achievements of our foreign sportspersons who wear our colours. Singaporeans should have a big heart and a place for those who wants to make this little red dot home.
I hope to see Singapore becoming a more cosmopolitan and vibrant city which is able to attract the best in the world to come and work or live here. I’m all for attracting the best foreign talents.
China has a population of ~ 1.3 billion and the number of people playing table tennis far exceeds all the countries put together. How can a tiny country like Singapore hope to compete against such a giant in this sport ? This govt deem it fit to shop for their second tier players and it would be silly for China to release potential world champions to Singapore. Objectively, this govt will need to repeat the process of shopping for China players to replace the likes of Li J W and company. When does this process end ? refer to @ 20) for insightful comments.
Does anyone out there think it is possible for a home grown Singaporean talent to match China’s players ? In 4 years time China would have probably screened thousands of young players that will emerge to challenge the present imports that we have. So we can now see that it is not a clever idea to start with and I agree with netizens that we need to look at other sports that gives us a better chance. Realistically we can never match the sports power houses like China and USA.
Jamaica, Kenya, Ethiopia, NZ etc focus on what they do best.
The most important thing about sports is the participation and character building of our young people and we should continue to encourage them and not be distracted by this silly idea of winning at all costs. To me our sportsmen/women are already winners if the participation has helped to instill in them the right values.
I think this FT policy is really the good eh.
Here’s why.
1. Olympic is also about different countries sending their proud citizens to compete with the best from other countries in hope of bringing home honor.
The FT policy in this aspect have proven some things.
Yes, all along many locals believe our locals sports standard is not as great as the best in the world. Maybe due to pragmatic pursuit of economic excellence or lack of talents because of our small population.
Now, our new citizens who are ex-china citizens only a year to a few years ago are representing singapore. I wonder how they feel? I wonder how ex-local-born-national heroes feel now? I wonder how current national level potential sporting greats feel about our great super duper FT policy for sports?
Take too long to win olympics? No issue. Invite and see if they join. If they join, ho say liao. Got chan. big chan. They brought home 1 medal liao. So solid de FT policy right?
Olympic spirit. National identity. Pride.
good nite everyone!
Comments edited by moderator.
I am happy that Singapore has finally won a Olympic medal after almost half a century of efforts.I am not proud the way we went about it . It showed the end justify the means. It is easier to source the world for good players to don our national colours. It is harder to develop a comprehensive sports scheme and culture to nurture and sustain our sports talents.
We just find a easy way of a situation and it is difficult to sustain such a solution.
Just look at our neighbouring countires. Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia have won medals through thier citizens. They do not import forigen talents to help them to win medal. Our leader forever obsess to be number 1 in almost everythings but when come to sports, they have no shame to shout out loud for winning the emdal, through the short cut way.
the next time our leaders tell us that we need to pay top dollar to get the best talents, we know that is not true.
look, we offered to pay our players top top dollar, so much more than what Phelps is getting for all his 8 GOLD medals, and yet we’re still getting second-rated performance.
top money not equal to top talent ok!
“When the scheme was conceived, one of the key argument put forward was that it would raise the standards of our local players and will inspire more of young talents. Was this KPI met ? And I wonder, is it still a KPI ?”
that’s bullsh*t. sports excellent has reached to a point where, apart from an insane commitment to a goal and ensuring access to all the latest training methods, the right coach and environment, you need to be a freak of nature like usain bolt or have that X factor to win. there are exception of course, like group sports, where pure sweat, determination,team efforts and luck may make a difference but, nobody can guarantee we can achieve even that. best bet for,getting a medal is to aim for a sport that requires that special X factor in a sportsman. and that’s exact what we did. they know our country is unlikely to produce a sporting star, they cooked up a convincing story( double talk) to justify ’shopping’ for a medal else where. now if you are in their shores, which sport star would you pick that you think majority singaporeans will mostly likely accept? of course the chinese kind lah because, singapore is predominantly chinese mah!
shameless as it is, that’s the quality of our thinkers and leaders basically.
so in a nutshell, the whole story of singapore. - use anybody anywhere and at any costs( legally of costs though can be….twitched) to justify the end!
their approach, at the end of the day, is nothing but a slap in the face of all our local sports persons for being…..at their best in the most restrictive environment which they are born in to but …not good enough for a medal.
in other words, the country( rather the leadership) reject its own!
Anthony Yeo does not need to hang his head in shame. The people who should be ashamed of themselves are those responsible for this sham and shame. While their orgasm hasn’t stop, I’d like them to know that it’s a pyrrhic victory. It may bring more harm than good!
Money can keep reluctant ministers in their jobs; money can buy medals; money can fix opposition and buy votes; money can even buy sex; but sorry chums, money cannot buy me love, nor peace, nor truth, nor loyalty nor national pride. Money also doesn’t buy fear of arrogant leaders!
I pity those who still insist that since other countries are doing the same, we should follow. To those who compare the 3 table tennis immigrants to our ancestors who came to Singapore, please get real. My grandpa wasn’t bought by the ego seeking schemers. He came on his own without fear or favour or life jacket in a boat.
As we are really into this slippery slope of casinos (IR’s ?) and prostitution, I guess it doesn’t hurt to be orgasmic about a pyrrhic victory! What next? Instead of imported yellow table tennis players, we may have black athletes representing Singapore in London Olympics in 2012. Last I heard, Singapore scouts are heading to Jamaica to buy some.
feedmetothefish
what do u expect from agovt that also buy votes by dangling the upgrading package in the opposition ward and use the same stick to keep the voter loyalty
they are now doing it with the olympics
buying China B team to get a medal
this is a good article and we should reflect on the moral value
which is morally wrong
like someone said, it’s all a business transaction. the manipulators are the big dogs who eat small dogs( you don’t call it a dog eat dog world for nothing). if small dogs are willing participants, who are we to judge them?
but if you are leader dogs and make decisions that affect all of us who are basically minding our own business, than, be prepared for the people to reject your dog vomit!
fighting on moral ground? pls, you must be joking. no one is that perfect to win on that ground. the only place one can win on moral ground( and justice) is in COURT - if you know what i mean.
FT has been increasing involved whenever there is shortage of manpower ,even in sports. At the end , Singaporean will not need to fill any vacancy as FT is ever available. I think , someone will propose FT to be allow to vote because of their contribution to the Nation. Singaporean will then have to sit back as reserved in their own turf. You know how much reserved player will earn.
I wonder what they will buy next. Human Decency perhaps? LOL.
If anyone deserves praise, it should be our OWN long suffering sports personnel who patiently endured the INSULTS of their masters for all they could possibly give of themselves to this nation except …. a metal.
I had a funny and strange and weird thought.
Next olympics, all the qualifiers from all the countries of the world (usa, britain, japan, germany, russia, australia, skorea, rest of europe, all of middle east) for the olympics ping pong are all ex-china top calibres who have potential for medal at international level.
Then, I think olympics become really…..I cannot find a right word to describe. Please help fill in the blanks.
A lot of national pride ler.
We also can have a citizen who went to the moon if …..he. …… accepts citizenship ? ….I……wonder ….only…..lah….
But why not political talents from overseas ? why stop there?
afterall, its said that political talents are in short supply.
taiwan sportsmen also get asked to become politicians. why?
what cannot be a political thing?
cna broadcasted taiwan ex-olympiads running for campaigns for political parties.
if there cannot be strong alternate voices, can we invite for new citizens to replace the old guards? for prosperity and progress ….based on justice and …..
so help us.
what he says is scary - that we should aim for gold next time - which means more money to be pumped into this. I can only agree to this after we have sufficiently paid our 60+ year olds a monthly stipend - to prevent them from begging for money in exchange for tissue paper and empty drink cans. The govt cannot be a welfare state for China ‘quitters’ who cannot make it to their A team - while our old folks are left to fend for themselves. WE cannot compartmentalise these 2 issues! I agree with Yamasan 20) How has this helped our young Singaporean table tennis players? Zilch. We will just pay more for foreigners. We are missing the story altogether!
Singaporeans should be pasionate about what they love…. That’s what will produce gold medals. The money used to import the foreign talents in Singapore sport should be better used for young Singaporeans who are passionate about the sport. With better funding for Singaporeans we will certainly achieve a “real” medal in the Olympics one day. Everyone can be trained to be the best in their respective sport. All it takes is some time and money. Is anyone willing to invest the resources in a young local athlete who is passionate about his or her sport whatever it may be?
feedmetothefish,
why do some people say politicians,lawyers and religious leaders are beneath prostitutes?
maybe because prostitutes don’t justify their ‘unrighteous ways’ like them?
looking at all the scandals around us( from east to west), it is truly amazing how our leaders are in such ‘pristine white’ condition.
can’t help feeling how proud i am of their ‘righteous ways’ because, somehow, only in singapore, we can produce such a ‘perfect specimen’.
kowtow to our Millionaire Ministers. i am a proud citizen, not rich, but proud of our unique system of governance, rewards and..justice.
feedmetothefish,
how do you suppose such great achievement of high standard and quality of morality , justice and equality etc etc are attained? what’s their ‘trade secrets’ where others have failed miserably and perhaps can learn from?
you have any idea?
For those who moan and groan let me remind them that with globalization, like it or not, the world has changed.
There is now a world without borders or borders that are very porous and “big” is better : bigger banks, bigger corporations and bigger foreign reserves. This is one reason why we are tyring to increase our population to 6.5 million to match that of HK, which is our most ardent competitor in the financial/tourist industry.
In the USA alone there are 21 million Mexicans who have croosed the borders and are vying for jobs that the Americans don’t see fit to apply for and instead opt for the dole. The USA is going downhill fast with debts of major proportions as people don’t save anymore. They just spend like there is no tomorrow. The US education system is dumbing their kids. Their number of talented people have declined.
We, as a small nation, must play the game and grab all the talented people we can get or otherwise this is the beginning of the end for the republic.
Right now we are not even able to reproduce ourselves even with the baby bonus. Now that the gahmen has increased the incentives I hope more people would walk the walk and talk the talk and produce more babies and stop complaining.
Here is an old proverb that we should pay attention to before we criticize others :
“Think of your own faults the first part of the night when you are awake, and of the faults of others the latter part of the night when you are asleep.”
This morning ST carried the news that the STTA president is sacking the team manager and probably the coach Liu Guo Dong. The other evening she appeared on TV to voice her anguish over the lack of coach in a man’s TT game. She demanded “Accountable” to the people in charge. I am appaled by her response. As a president she should check and investigate what had happened before going on the camera to make such an accusation(after all she is incharge no point telling the whole world) If she truly cares for the “livlihood of the player” how abt the coach and the manager. The govt should have checked the type of character that they are putting up as president of NSAs, whether they are suitable before appointing them. She is certainly not suitable as a leader and I wouldn’t want her as my MP.
Kent,
It is globalization that makes people (citizen) feel disgust and pack up their bags and leave the country. If Singapore leader do not give or hardly give or treat Singaporeans the same as foreigners while still having too much liabilities, what is the point of staying here? If opportunity arises elsewhere and can give me more time to spend with my family without any liabilities, I am better off than staying here right.
Sometime, I am not surprised when I hear PRs mother says it is okay to have a baby girl born in Singapore. If it is a boy, it is better to be born in Malaysia. Perhaps, they will still have a chance to escape N******* S******. LoL.
I am not very surprise when I hear PRs start to complain that they do not get GST rebates, Singapore shares, this and that. Kent, perhaps you can give them all these, PRs second generation need not serve NS and give them all the rebates. I am sure you will win the heart and minds of these foreigners.
Be reminded, Kent please do not “over use” the word COMPETITION. Else if I get nasty, very likely you will be the first one to be kicked hard by me on your little devil butt during the election. You can leave me with no chance to vote, but I believe there will be thousands of “me” out there and you have no idea how tie our legs to this miserable place called Singapore. Be reminded again this is globalization.
Kent, let me teach you this; help your fellow citizen when times are bad (economically) else citizen will ditch you when peace time is over(you can see the effect now already. lol ). Get it. Cheerzz…
you know, kent is right. more good years ahead. hahahaaaaaa
kent, just to remind you again, ppls. here are not really complaining,this is a good place to share their tot(their honest tot)… seem like you dont quite like honesty and frankness???
I’m just an ordinary ,simple old man living all my life in sg., I ‘m not in either side of the fence… Kent, such issue been discuss almost every corner of sg. .. coffee shop void dect, taxi dr,n pax, market place…etc….
For your information , ( i swear from my heart) most ppls. i talk to agree on Anthony (the above writer).
Dear kent , what you read here is very mild, compare to the heartlander , their honesty and frankness can make you mad,with your kind of mind set…finally,i would like to ask you to be more gracious ,just let them speak their mind, at least here….(as you know main media are always one sided) thank you so much kent…good day..
I will be proud only the local Singaporean take part the 42 KM run even he is the last to complete.
How much does the government spend on building up local sportsmen / sportswomen? The NZ government’s high-performance funding grew from $19m in 2001 to $34.5m in 2008, with a total direct involvement in Olympic sports since Athens of $60m. With a population similar to Singapore’s they won 9 medals including 3 golds. Jamaica’s population is smaller than Singapore’s and they won 6 golds !! Insteading of importing talents , they should spend on developing local talent!
Tiredman : “It is globalization that makes people (citizen) feel disgust and pack up their bags and leave the country.”
Ok, that is your perogative. This is a free world. But where would you go where you are absolutely free from the vexing effects of globalization? Timbucktu?
The likely destination of our beloved “quitters” is good old Australia, more likely Perth, which is barely 4 hours away so that these voluntary Spore expats can sneak back into S’pore to exercise their felial piety once a year to see the parents and extended familes they have left behind and to savour the local fares.
So what is life like in Perth? In my opinion, you will be confined to a very small community of Asians who have made the same flawed decision to quit their own countries. Trust me, it’s very lonely out there, my friend. There are only so much tourist sites that you can visit , so much wine you can drink and so much lobsters you can eat, after that you back to reality! LONELINESS!!!
And with globalization it is you who will be laid off first out there unless you are an indispensible heart surgeon. If you are an average Ah Beng you are history when the Sh*t hits the fan in an economic downturn in Perth !
Sure, with your CPF in hand and the proceeds of the sale of your condo or HDB or HUDC or landed properties you will be able to afford a quarter-acre block of land with a five BR home and a swimming pool in the sprawling backyard.
And if you have lots of money from your inheritance you may not even have to work. But you just rot and go downhill in the fast-lane or you will spend your days at the Burswood casino, mindlessly losing all your hard-earned money !
At best the Australians only tolerate your presence. They don’t openly discriminate against you as this against the law. But often times in their company in a cocktail party or a wedding party you will feel like you are invisible as they will converse with their own mates, right through you, as if you are not even there!
I was once told in no uncertain terms by a Club Med hostess from Queensland that Australians resent us buying up their houses and apartments !!!
If you like the idea of being a second class citizen then migrate by all means !
As for ” if I get nasty, very likely you will be the first one to be kicked hard by me on your little devil butt during the election.”
Why be nasty when I am not even a politician? Why not debate like a civil person?
As Prof Thio Li-Ann once wrote ” Let speaking in the public square with reason, passion, honesty, civility, even grace be the mark of a Citizen of Singapore.”
How about it pal?
@ 48, i applaud your good intentions.
i despise ball-lickers and their opinion, so no worries about kent or lim.
they do not have enough skill to convince us or the heartlanders that you mentioned.
pathetic leaders beget mindless followers. lol
“lim on August 23rd, 2008 2.30 pm
The entire US women’s table tennis team comprises of China born women. Quite ironic that when they reached the quarter finals, their press supported them 100% and not a single question on their nationality was raised except to celebrate their success at reaching where no other women representing the US in table tennis have gone before. Same thing too with the chinese in the Dominican republic and the other 17 teams with China born players.
Yet today, we have people including so called “singaporeans” casting doubt on the success of individuals who, despite what anyone might doubt, represent Singapore in their capacity as Singapore citizens.
I personally rejoice in the Singapore team’s achievements at this Olympics. If representing Singapore is not an honour and celebrated, no sportsperson in Singapore will ever be honoured. Today, we question the birth place. Tomorrow, why not parentage? What about sex and weight and looks?
The Olympics is not about differences but unity. I would expect Singaporeans cherishing unity should be united in the celebration of their success. I certainly am.”
They dont win $750,000 as reward and most of these US Chinese players wanted very much to be in USA. USA never import them and go out to lure them with carrots. Not like Singapore. Goin all out with carrots to lure rabbits. I can bet if there is no $750,000 or $500,000 rewards these china girls wont even come to Singapore. Why not ask Lee Jia Wei to donate half of the rewards to less than fortunate Singaporeans. Do you think she cares? Dont be stupid!
FG.
As Prof Thio Li-Ann once wrote ” Let speaking in the public square with reason, passion, honesty, civility, even grace be the mark of a Citizen of Singapore.”
Only when you have the economic and judicial advantage kent, and may i add, all the backing of law enforcers at the back of your calling.LOL.
Kent,
“In the USA alone there are 21 million Mexicans who have croosed the borders and are vying for jobs that the Americans don’t see fit to apply for and instead opt for the dole. The USA is going downhill fast with debts of major proportions as people don’t save anymore. They just spend like there is no tomorrow. The US education system is dumbing their kids. Their number of talented people have declined.”
You talk as if you kids are there studying and has become dumb. Your generalisation is indeed very wide. If Americans are dump, why do they have innovative products such as Iphone, Windows, Intel Chips and so forth. Do we Singapore even make such items…i thought our education is even better than US? Sometimes ask yourself this…what have our education system produce? A nobel scientist? A nobel Artist? A nobel winner? NOPE! Nothing. Not even a home bred Olympic Medalist without having to import them from China FARM. My friend, SIngapore dont need us…coz imports are ready to fill our shoes. In USA, fat hope if you think foreigners can get a job that easy. Unless you dont mind washing dishes, taxi drivers or labour jobs while holding a degree and even masters. While in Singapore, we are as easy to replace as 123. Great to know we are so dirt cheap.
FG
SINGAPOREAN 52 : “i would like to ask you to be more gracious ,just let them speak their mind, at least here….(as you know main media are always one sided) thank you so much kent”
Dear SINGAPOREAN 52 - If I appear to be “ungracious” you have my apologies. No such stance was intended. The objective of debate is that all views are aired in a public debate in a civil way. Only then will the truth prevail. My view is only one of the many views aired today. This is diversity and it is healthy. I am not saying I am 100% right but I am prepared to defend what I wrote without pillorying anyone. If anyone has another better view I am always ready to hear it. Thank you.
Blowme : ” i despise ball-lickers and their opinion, so no worries about kent or lim.”
You are free to despise me. This is a free world. But say what you like I am not a ball licker. My views are are my own independent views!
Cynic : “Only when you have the economic and judicial advantage kent, and may i add, all the backing of law enforcers at the back of your calling.”
Then go an do something about it. Don’t moan and groan !!
Fever Guy: “If Americans are dump, why do they have innovative products such as Iphone, Windows, Intel Chips and so forth.”
If they are so clever why are they the world’s biggest debtors ever in all of mankind’s history?
Kent, as mentioned umpteen times before, changing the subject to “globalization” and “competition” or “2nd class citizen in Australia” is not going to distract the people here from the actual issue of foreign talent policy and winning sports medal by questionable method.
Feedmetothefish, Tiredman, Singaporean52, Fever Guy and others have clearly expressed their views; their views are not minority and you cannot make them disappear by misdirect or muddying or denial.
Obviously, not all Singaporean are made of stupid. In fact I believe most of them only pretend to don’t care or act blur but they know what is going on. You cannot force them to believe there is no problem, they will only pretend to agree with you.
Anyway this is not relevant to the sports talent issue, but you seem to know too much details about life as a second-class citizen in Perth. If you are not even in Singapore how to lecture us about adjusting to globalization?
Also you seems to be big fan of Prof Thio Li-Ann - unfortunately she didn’t practice what she preach during S377A debate so not a good example to follow at all.
Dear everyone,
Please refrain from using personal attacks and derogatory terms. If this continues, this thread will be closed for further comments from those engaging in such personal references.
Be civil! Listen to Mah Bow Tan!
TOC,
What are you talking about? Care to reveal to us what you know and how you know what you know that others may know what you are talking about?
How does it all work here? Please enlighten what’s the …excitement about?
TOC,
One more thing, how can personal attacks be possible when we are mostly anonymous. Are there illegal practices committed by certain people that the laws maybe invoked?
Thanks
UCF : “Obviously, not all Singaporean are made of stupid. In fact I believe most of them only pretend to don’t care or act blur but they know what is going on.”
Yes I agree. Singaporeans are smart and they are well educated too but some of us are “knockers” and are always complaining instead of doing something about what they perceived as social injustices.
And their first line of defense is to migrate into a strange culture, into oblivion and into a life of irrelevance and loneliness!!
UCF : “you seem to know too much details about life as a second-class citizen in Perth. If you are not even in Singapore how to lecture us about adjusting to globalization?”
I am a Singaporean and I live in Singapore but I have visited Perth many times.
That was the observation I made. In fact I know of a family that has returned to Malaysia. They find it too dull and too lonely in Perth ! One of my own friends has returned from Canada. He found it too COLD !!!
UCF : “Also you seems to be big fan of Prof Thio Li-Ann - unfortunately she didn’t practice what she preach during S377A debate so not a good example to follow at all.”
She is a wonderful human being. I am a straight guy but personally I think S377A is flawed. Satisfied ?
To all those who moan and groan pay attention to this old maxim : “To climb a tree to catch a fish is talking much and doing nothing.”
To all those who moan and groan pay attention to this old maxim : “To climb a tree to catch a fish is talking much and doing nothing.”
I wonder whether some people will dare go for a lie detector test or told to swear in the mosque like our friend from a neighboring country.
Why censured if there is no dark corners to hide? How to represent the people when you are no different from the powers that be?
We are no fools, we know who has the resources and people also has their ways to trap these idiots.
Who has climbed the tree and fallen on his jaws?
Are you honest, do you have integrity yourself before you attacked someone else?
Kent ,
I am sorry you write as if you are a minister. You seem to have lots of oversea working experience. Why not tell us more about the life there? It would be interesting. lol
If you experience negative reactions from the locals over there, why do you not think the same reaction would happen here? Do you really think Singapore is really very unique? Maybe you are the one that is unique. In your opinion, you will be treated like a stranger (hmm alien??) but you suggested welcoming the foreigners as friends… woooo… You are indeed unique, impressive.
Kent, I believe Singapore has a very competitive market, so does Australia. Life is already very hard to compete against the local. Is’nt the presence of you as a foreigner creates more trouble?
It’s simple. Since we are treated the same as the foreigner, there would not be a difference to be a foreigner in the other country. (Our G has realized this (eg baby bonus, medical subsidies, GST rebates) However, I hope there will be more changes cos I need to serve)
Are we already the second class citizen? Our first class PR citizens dare to write to ST and scold us lo. I cannot imagine what will happen next. Are Armit and Manish Grover your friends?
Hence, going back to the main topic, the time has already come for a change; use our local born players to bring a medal back. That would be a second medal.
Haha, let the general public decide Kent, okay? Trust me, I think only some unique people would stand to your side.
‘It is a free world’, globalization is real.
Is the above statement true? Right? Accurate?
If there is no/nil money to make here, will foreign talents come? If they do, for what motives? To help and protect us?
Can I travel without a passport and settle anywhere in the Free World?
patriot
Bent : “Are you honest, do you have integrity yourself before you attacked someone else?”
I can also ask of you “Are you honest, do you have integrity yourself before you attacked someone else?” too. Where does it all end.?
A maxim is not meant to attack anyone. It is meant to educate.
let the PAP bath in their own joy of another sucessful transaction that has brought them fame.
We Singaporean will continue to toil away, its PAP silver medal, it has nothing to do with me.
The silver medal won’t provide me with job security and free speech.
So count me out Singapore
Show over? So fast?
tireman, surely you knew that all along? you part of their…team?
just curious, you sending a message to the rest to cow them or what?
Peopl