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.