Hey all,
So, the valiant Cubs have finally ended their dream run. They were beaten by a surprisingly-brilliant and well organised Haiti side yesterday. Despite this, the cubs still have to negotiate a tricky third-place play off tie, so as to ensure that they leave this tournament with a good reputation.
The fact that this third place playoff match comes just three days after the Cubs' loss shows the importance of being able to bounce back from setbacks. After all, the Cubs will need to dig deep to get all the energy and spirit they can so as to ensure they manage to obtain a win and leave with a medal. Just imagine, do you think the Cubs would be able to play their best, should they be still reeling from the defeat and be unable to get rid of the sickening feeling of defeat? I am sure they would not.
The ability to recover from setbacks is undoubtedly an important part of sport. After all, as many successful athletes have pointed out, there is a difference being a winner and being a champion. A winner is just one who is able to defeat others, while a champion is a completely different person: One who has the right values in sport, who is able to graciously embrace defeat, and more importantly, learn from the defeat. From this point of view, it certainly is tough to consider Michael Schumacher, a F1 driver who is knowned for his willingness to do anything to secure a win, a champion, while Roger Federer would certainly fit well into this category. Although comparisons between these two talented sportsman are not extremely accurate due to them participating in different sports, the fact that Roger Federer is much more well-recieved as compared to Michael Schumacher speaks for itself: That champions are well-liked by fans, while pure winners are not.
As such, I hope that the Singapore Cubs would be able to learn from successful athletes, Roger Federer included, and accept that they have room for improvement before picking themselves up and getting the job done on Wednesday. Should they be able to do this, they will undoubtedly be able to go far in life, as to be a successful sportman, you need to have the right traits. And being able to graciously accept defeat and bounce back from it is up there as one of the most important.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
YOG soccer team: What we can take away
Hey all,
Recently, there has been a huge buzz over the successes of the YOG soccer team. As I am typing this, the outcome between the semi-final match between Haiti and Singapore is still unkown. However, beating Zimbabwe and Montenegro, who were relatively bigger and more skilful than them, is certainly no mean feat. The fact that this comes on the back of a horribly poor AYG showing makes their performances in the YOG all the more impressive. So, what is the secret to their success?
Unsurprisingly, it is none other than the rather cliche attitudes needed for success: Hunger, determination, and teamwork. At least, this is according to my friend, the team captain Jeffrey Lightfoot. Indeed, the bunch of boys in the team have been playing together for four years. The interplay between Hanafi and Suhaimi for the first goal was brilliant: The movement of Suhaimi was superb, and the through ball from Hanafi displayed the fact that he knew where and how Suhaimi will time his run. This is a perfect example of the understanding between the players forged over time. The importance of teamwork certainly cannot be undermined, especially in a team sport. Despite being under pressure, the defensive unit remained cohesive, and this ensured that they kept Montenegro at bay after conceding two rather sloppy goals. As such, they managed to keep possesion well, and when Montenegro had the ball, ensured they could not get a clear sight of goal. I have to admit that, I did not think Singapore stood a chance of winning, seeing that Montenegro were launching repeated attacks on the Singapore goal. However, the players stuck together, and this wonderful spirit ensured they managed to score on the counter attack and see out the rest of the game.
Their determination was also not to be questioned. The best example would be none other than the Singapore goalkeeper Fashah, who launched himself into the face of danger to bail Singapore out of trouble countless number of times. He made a mistake in the match, which allowed Montenegro to equalise. However, he managed to bounce back and his determination to see Singapore through as group winners really impressed me.
What was really nice in the match was to see a full house in Jalan Besar stadium, with even Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew among the enthusiastic supporters. Noone can stress the importance of supporters getting behind the players, and you could see how the support really gave the Singapore players a huge boost during the game. They chased every ball despite their fatigue, and after the match, they acknowledged the supporters for their backing of the players. Hopefully, the support for the team will not waiver, and the supporters will turn out in hordes tonight.
Many say sports can teach us values, and as such, we must be able to channel the spirit of the Singapore team into our lives. They are really a good example for us to learn from, and no doubt we can learn a few important values required on the road to success. So, let us get behind the Cubs tonight, and hope that together with each and every Singaporean, they would be able to overcome Haiti with their spirited play, and get a result for Singapore.
Thank you for reading(:
Recently, there has been a huge buzz over the successes of the YOG soccer team. As I am typing this, the outcome between the semi-final match between Haiti and Singapore is still unkown. However, beating Zimbabwe and Montenegro, who were relatively bigger and more skilful than them, is certainly no mean feat. The fact that this comes on the back of a horribly poor AYG showing makes their performances in the YOG all the more impressive. So, what is the secret to their success?
Unsurprisingly, it is none other than the rather cliche attitudes needed for success: Hunger, determination, and teamwork. At least, this is according to my friend, the team captain Jeffrey Lightfoot. Indeed, the bunch of boys in the team have been playing together for four years. The interplay between Hanafi and Suhaimi for the first goal was brilliant: The movement of Suhaimi was superb, and the through ball from Hanafi displayed the fact that he knew where and how Suhaimi will time his run. This is a perfect example of the understanding between the players forged over time. The importance of teamwork certainly cannot be undermined, especially in a team sport. Despite being under pressure, the defensive unit remained cohesive, and this ensured that they kept Montenegro at bay after conceding two rather sloppy goals. As such, they managed to keep possesion well, and when Montenegro had the ball, ensured they could not get a clear sight of goal. I have to admit that, I did not think Singapore stood a chance of winning, seeing that Montenegro were launching repeated attacks on the Singapore goal. However, the players stuck together, and this wonderful spirit ensured they managed to score on the counter attack and see out the rest of the game.
Their determination was also not to be questioned. The best example would be none other than the Singapore goalkeeper Fashah, who launched himself into the face of danger to bail Singapore out of trouble countless number of times. He made a mistake in the match, which allowed Montenegro to equalise. However, he managed to bounce back and his determination to see Singapore through as group winners really impressed me.
What was really nice in the match was to see a full house in Jalan Besar stadium, with even Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew among the enthusiastic supporters. Noone can stress the importance of supporters getting behind the players, and you could see how the support really gave the Singapore players a huge boost during the game. They chased every ball despite their fatigue, and after the match, they acknowledged the supporters for their backing of the players. Hopefully, the support for the team will not waiver, and the supporters will turn out in hordes tonight.
Many say sports can teach us values, and as such, we must be able to channel the spirit of the Singapore team into our lives. They are really a good example for us to learn from, and no doubt we can learn a few important values required on the road to success. So, let us get behind the Cubs tonight, and hope that together with each and every Singaporean, they would be able to overcome Haiti with their spirited play, and get a result for Singapore.
Thank you for reading(:
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
YOG: What we can do to help
Hey all,
As many of us know, the inaugural Youth Olympic Games is just round the corner. Singapore has had the honour of hosting the first Youth Olympic Games, triumphing over Moscow to obtain the right to hold this event. Now, the question is, can we deliver up to expectations, and further enhance the image of Singapore in others eyes? I am confident we can, but for that, everyone has to play a part.
Firstly, we will have to fully back the athletes. Nowadays in Singapore, the lack of support from Singaporeans for the local leagues are extremely disappointing. Just take the S-League for example. It has been valiantly attempting to improve the standard of soccer, bringing in foreign clubs and players and ensuring that players pass a mandatory beep test ( a fitness test, similar to NAPFA), before they can play. However, the support from locals has not increased. Instead, it seems to be facing a steady decline, as average attendances are just over a thousand as compared to the few thousand the league could attract when it was first established. And this is only when perks and prizes are on offer during such matches. As such, there is some worry that the athletes might not get the full backing of us Singaporeans. For these young athletes, they might require some moral support at times, given the inexperience of a competition of this magnitude. This applies especially to our Singapore athletes, who should, at first sight, have more backing from the fans. There is no doubt these athletes will need us supporters to get behind them fully so as to allow them to perform to their fullest potential, and bring glory to Singapore. Surely it will reflect badly on us Singaporeans should we not even bother to back our own athletes? What kind of impression will we be giving others then?
Secondly, we would have to try and make the athletes' stay here in Singapore as comfortable as possible, so as to allow them to have a good impression of Singapore. Some athletes might feel homesick during the course of them competing in the Youth Olympic Games, as this will be one of the first times where they spend more than a week away from home, and some small actions can certainly brighten up their day here. For example, we can greet them with a warm smile should we happen to bump into them, and maybe even congratulate them should they have done well during their event. Some of us who are more introverted might not feel comfortable of doing so, but even a small action of giving way to the Youth Olympic Games bus would allow the athletes' to feel the graciousness of Singaporeans and leave them with a good impression of us.
This is particularly important as our country relies heavily on foreign talent in sporting terms. As we all know, the world is now a place for global citizens, and many athletes will leave their mother land to go elsewhere and pursue their sporting ambitions when they are older. Some of the top athletes in the future who participated in the Youth Opympic Games might return to take part in tournaments organised by Singapore, elevating the interest in the tournaments and no doubt allowing Singapore to benefit financially. Some of these athletes from elite sporting countries and are unable to represent their country at international level might even decide to convert their nationality to Singaporean and represent Singapore instead, simply due to the fact that Singapore culture had a lasting impression on them. Although I do not fully approve of such actions, this no doubt improves the competition for places in the National team, which will in turn result in athlete's ability being of a higher standard.
Therefore, there is no doubt how this YOG is a significant event for Singapore. It might not be one that makes or breaks Singapore's reputation, but it will certainly influnce it in some way or another. Hopefully, Singapore and Singaporeans will be able to deliver.
Now, the preparations are all in place, let us sit back, and enjoy the Youth Olympic Games, and the great sights of sporting triumphs that will behold us and no doubt leave us exhilarated. Thank you.
As many of us know, the inaugural Youth Olympic Games is just round the corner. Singapore has had the honour of hosting the first Youth Olympic Games, triumphing over Moscow to obtain the right to hold this event. Now, the question is, can we deliver up to expectations, and further enhance the image of Singapore in others eyes? I am confident we can, but for that, everyone has to play a part.
Firstly, we will have to fully back the athletes. Nowadays in Singapore, the lack of support from Singaporeans for the local leagues are extremely disappointing. Just take the S-League for example. It has been valiantly attempting to improve the standard of soccer, bringing in foreign clubs and players and ensuring that players pass a mandatory beep test ( a fitness test, similar to NAPFA), before they can play. However, the support from locals has not increased. Instead, it seems to be facing a steady decline, as average attendances are just over a thousand as compared to the few thousand the league could attract when it was first established. And this is only when perks and prizes are on offer during such matches. As such, there is some worry that the athletes might not get the full backing of us Singaporeans. For these young athletes, they might require some moral support at times, given the inexperience of a competition of this magnitude. This applies especially to our Singapore athletes, who should, at first sight, have more backing from the fans. There is no doubt these athletes will need us supporters to get behind them fully so as to allow them to perform to their fullest potential, and bring glory to Singapore. Surely it will reflect badly on us Singaporeans should we not even bother to back our own athletes? What kind of impression will we be giving others then?
Secondly, we would have to try and make the athletes' stay here in Singapore as comfortable as possible, so as to allow them to have a good impression of Singapore. Some athletes might feel homesick during the course of them competing in the Youth Olympic Games, as this will be one of the first times where they spend more than a week away from home, and some small actions can certainly brighten up their day here. For example, we can greet them with a warm smile should we happen to bump into them, and maybe even congratulate them should they have done well during their event. Some of us who are more introverted might not feel comfortable of doing so, but even a small action of giving way to the Youth Olympic Games bus would allow the athletes' to feel the graciousness of Singaporeans and leave them with a good impression of us.
This is particularly important as our country relies heavily on foreign talent in sporting terms. As we all know, the world is now a place for global citizens, and many athletes will leave their mother land to go elsewhere and pursue their sporting ambitions when they are older. Some of the top athletes in the future who participated in the Youth Opympic Games might return to take part in tournaments organised by Singapore, elevating the interest in the tournaments and no doubt allowing Singapore to benefit financially. Some of these athletes from elite sporting countries and are unable to represent their country at international level might even decide to convert their nationality to Singaporean and represent Singapore instead, simply due to the fact that Singapore culture had a lasting impression on them. Although I do not fully approve of such actions, this no doubt improves the competition for places in the National team, which will in turn result in athlete's ability being of a higher standard.
Therefore, there is no doubt how this YOG is a significant event for Singapore. It might not be one that makes or breaks Singapore's reputation, but it will certainly influnce it in some way or another. Hopefully, Singapore and Singaporeans will be able to deliver.
Now, the preparations are all in place, let us sit back, and enjoy the Youth Olympic Games, and the great sights of sporting triumphs that will behold us and no doubt leave us exhilarated. Thank you.
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