Greetings for 2013..and for the year of the Snake to those still celebrating Lunar New Year!
Been a rather busy month of the National Sports Associations, more specifically spokespersons of the various NSAs coming out and saying a lot of earth shattering (or not) comments in the press. The pressmen at both The New Paper and the Straits Times are certainly grateful for the scoops and sauces that have made their Sundaes.
First up it was the Rugger Buggers who had a front page 'exclusive' in the New Paper on the importing of Pacific Island kids to become naturalized Singaporeans to play for Singapore in the near future. Nothing new there, but the reason why Singapore Rugby was doing this according to its president was purely because local Singaporeans are too small for the game, especially in the scrum positions. I won't comment too much on the program, but really rugby has been and will be a game for all body shapes and there is always a place for everyone on the team. Local boys are getting bigger and taller, I know just from standing in q at the local nasi padang stall. The 'exclusive' that TNP got turned out to not be so exclusive as the Straits Times ran the story the same day, with a slightly different view point. Here the angle was not so much importing, but really tapping on another stream of talent to make Singapore Rugby better. Same shit different smell some might say, but here's what I humbly think :
No matter what the announcement is (and I won't go into much into the actual program) there needs to be some kind of communications sync -with the spokespersons (Singapore rugby had two guys from the management committee saying two slightly different things to two different papers) and more importantly the stakeholders. In this case its the Rugby community, and many I know were upset at the announcement Singaporeans will always complain, but in this case I don't blame them - to see a major announcement in the papers before hearing anything is a little bit disappointing, especially since the rugby community is a small one. Everyone needs to understand that sports people on this red dot usually get into sports administration for the passion. Power does overtake sometimes, but thats where the village comes together to make sure everyone is on track.
One man's view on this anyways. The Second headline concerns the round ball and the Fandi vs FAS issue - that is coming up in the next post!
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
Re kick...re take...re view
Been a while between drinks or so they say, and to be fair, this blog has been in and out of circulation for almost 5 years, and only with a couple of posts to show for it!
So this year, the sporting tan will look to get out in the sun a whole lot more and put out a load of thoughts and some keen observations of the wider sporting scene in Singapore, and overseas. The goal has always been to have one man's point of view out there, and this will not change, as this man certainly has a whole load of views to point!
To kick things off (again), lets look at the local football scene. All one has to do in the last couple of days is turn to Singapore's one and only football daily, The New Paper to see that all is not well (again) with our beloved national past time of (talking how to play) Football. This time round its about coaching, and about how after 'Savoir' Raddy's departure has no permanent successor been found. Two quick points here as highlighted by the local press men -
1. They have had 3 months since Raddy's announcement to find a suitable replacement for the incumbent, and only decided to get a headhunting firm a month before he left. Of course the 'they' here is the much maligned Football Association of Singapore. It is a fair point ain't it? If this was a business, and you knew that the contract was fast coming, would there not be a 6 month (not 3 month) notice period? Once can always announce things at an approproate time, but one has to wonder if there was some earlier indication
2. This leads to another question - does this mean that the Assistant Coach not ready to step up? Where is the succession plan? Raddy came to our shores when he was in his 50s, so I mean it was not like he would be around forever I wound imagine. Sundram is now with the Lions 12, but then is now caretaker coach. So another question sports fans : What is Sundram's plans in the eyes of the FAS?
Just two really quick questions and some food for thought. Football is a simple game and that why its beautiful. Unfortunately running the backroom side is not as simple.
Watch out for more in the coming days and weeks!
So this year, the sporting tan will look to get out in the sun a whole lot more and put out a load of thoughts and some keen observations of the wider sporting scene in Singapore, and overseas. The goal has always been to have one man's point of view out there, and this will not change, as this man certainly has a whole load of views to point!
To kick things off (again), lets look at the local football scene. All one has to do in the last couple of days is turn to Singapore's one and only football daily, The New Paper to see that all is not well (again) with our beloved national past time of (talking how to play) Football. This time round its about coaching, and about how after 'Savoir' Raddy's departure has no permanent successor been found. Two quick points here as highlighted by the local press men -
1. They have had 3 months since Raddy's announcement to find a suitable replacement for the incumbent, and only decided to get a headhunting firm a month before he left. Of course the 'they' here is the much maligned Football Association of Singapore. It is a fair point ain't it? If this was a business, and you knew that the contract was fast coming, would there not be a 6 month (not 3 month) notice period? Once can always announce things at an approproate time, but one has to wonder if there was some earlier indication
2. This leads to another question - does this mean that the Assistant Coach not ready to step up? Where is the succession plan? Raddy came to our shores when he was in his 50s, so I mean it was not like he would be around forever I wound imagine. Sundram is now with the Lions 12, but then is now caretaker coach. So another question sports fans : What is Sundram's plans in the eyes of the FAS?
Just two really quick questions and some food for thought. Football is a simple game and that why its beautiful. Unfortunately running the backroom side is not as simple.
Watch out for more in the coming days and weeks!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Long time coming
Been awhile since I blogged, by accident came back here so thought that I would pen a few quick thoughts!
Was looking casually though some of a friend's pictures on facebook, and the same faces are always there, from Secondary school rugby days to present. Its kind of amazing how such friendships are forged and last so long.
These were the guys I looked up to in school, we were in the same team but different years. I tried to mold my game around some of them, and to till very day i still look up to them.
Kind of a pity that my batch are not so tight, in fact I am closer to guys i played on age group teams from other schools than guys from my own team!
When you think of school sports - that is what it is in essence - sweat, tears and ultimately that bond that lasts a lifetime. Which is why I salute redsports.sg in putting the news and the community out there, to ensure that this unique sports culture in Singapore never fades away.
What i wish is a hark back to the good old days, where sports such as rugby was played at the padang, and where the old men sat, watched the game and supported it (they knew enough to even bet on it, which is a feat by today's standard). Even the uncle from the old SJI selling his curry puffs was a treat.
ok..enough randoms for now..but i'll be back
Was looking casually though some of a friend's pictures on facebook, and the same faces are always there, from Secondary school rugby days to present. Its kind of amazing how such friendships are forged and last so long.
These were the guys I looked up to in school, we were in the same team but different years. I tried to mold my game around some of them, and to till very day i still look up to them.
Kind of a pity that my batch are not so tight, in fact I am closer to guys i played on age group teams from other schools than guys from my own team!
When you think of school sports - that is what it is in essence - sweat, tears and ultimately that bond that lasts a lifetime. Which is why I salute redsports.sg in putting the news and the community out there, to ensure that this unique sports culture in Singapore never fades away.
What i wish is a hark back to the good old days, where sports such as rugby was played at the padang, and where the old men sat, watched the game and supported it (they knew enough to even bet on it, which is a feat by today's standard). Even the uncle from the old SJI selling his curry puffs was a treat.
ok..enough randoms for now..but i'll be back
Thursday, April 26, 2007
dumpo2
Dump el numero 2 -
Was reading the local papers the other day about how a certain foreign football (soccer) player once again failed his 'beep' test for the 11th time and as a result might not be able to remain in Singapore, or might look for another club.
FYI, the S league - Singapore's only forray into professional sports so far, stipulates that all professional players in the league have to pass a beep test before they can play. The level they must pass is 12.10. So this foreign player has not been able to achieve that, and might move on. Good for him right? Lest we want overpaid foreign talent loafing around and not being fit right?
Well, there are several things here to consider - The player's age (36) and the feasiblity of really using the beep test as a compulsory benchmark.
The 'beep' test, for the un informed, is a test that measures the max oxygen intake a person is able to achieve, and his stamina. In formal sports science terms, the beep test is a tool to guage VO2max - Maximum volume of Oxygen. It consists of a 20m straight distance measured out. A athlete starts on one end. A recording of various beeps indicates when the athelete must leave his end, and rech the other end. The beeps get progressively faster and faster as the levels increase.
Anyways, as mentioned, the beep test is only meant to be a tool, a function of measuring stamina. In the early days of professional sport up to early 2005, the beep test was all the rage - every sport was doing it as a sole measure of athlete's stamina. Late in 2005 though, reserach found that the beep test was not meant to be the sole measure, rather it had to be fiting in with other tests.
What it does seem to me though, that with all sports innovations, Singapore has once again decided tocut and paste a system, without even thinking of the implication.
Here is my question to you S league - why are you doing the beep test? In addition to the beep, are you conducting other tests, such as vertical leap, and other strength tests? The beep is not a measure of stamina, in fact most sports have started to use the beep less and less in their testing functions.
What about a 3km run test instead? Measure your testing to the climate and to the demands of the sport in general. Think about it - the beep test for s league is conducted indoors for a controlled environment, which is a good thing. But, is soccer played indoors? How much sprinting does a soccer player do in a game, and relative to that, how much does he cover distance wise in a game?
I understand that a framework has to be put in place to prevent overpaid loafers on the field, but there must be a more relalistic and practical way of doing it, rather than subjecting these athletes to an outdated, and in this case seemingly mis used, form of testing.
One has to wonder what the sport science people at the SSC are advising, or are they even involoved in consultation?
Was reading the local papers the other day about how a certain foreign football (soccer) player once again failed his 'beep' test for the 11th time and as a result might not be able to remain in Singapore, or might look for another club.
FYI, the S league - Singapore's only forray into professional sports so far, stipulates that all professional players in the league have to pass a beep test before they can play. The level they must pass is 12.10. So this foreign player has not been able to achieve that, and might move on. Good for him right? Lest we want overpaid foreign talent loafing around and not being fit right?
Well, there are several things here to consider - The player's age (36) and the feasiblity of really using the beep test as a compulsory benchmark.
The 'beep' test, for the un informed, is a test that measures the max oxygen intake a person is able to achieve, and his stamina. In formal sports science terms, the beep test is a tool to guage VO2max - Maximum volume of Oxygen. It consists of a 20m straight distance measured out. A athlete starts on one end. A recording of various beeps indicates when the athelete must leave his end, and rech the other end. The beeps get progressively faster and faster as the levels increase.
Anyways, as mentioned, the beep test is only meant to be a tool, a function of measuring stamina. In the early days of professional sport up to early 2005, the beep test was all the rage - every sport was doing it as a sole measure of athlete's stamina. Late in 2005 though, reserach found that the beep test was not meant to be the sole measure, rather it had to be fiting in with other tests.
What it does seem to me though, that with all sports innovations, Singapore has once again decided tocut and paste a system, without even thinking of the implication.
Here is my question to you S league - why are you doing the beep test? In addition to the beep, are you conducting other tests, such as vertical leap, and other strength tests? The beep is not a measure of stamina, in fact most sports have started to use the beep less and less in their testing functions.
What about a 3km run test instead? Measure your testing to the climate and to the demands of the sport in general. Think about it - the beep test for s league is conducted indoors for a controlled environment, which is a good thing. But, is soccer played indoors? How much sprinting does a soccer player do in a game, and relative to that, how much does he cover distance wise in a game?
I understand that a framework has to be put in place to prevent overpaid loafers on the field, but there must be a more relalistic and practical way of doing it, rather than subjecting these athletes to an outdated, and in this case seemingly mis used, form of testing.
One has to wonder what the sport science people at the SSC are advising, or are they even involoved in consultation?
Dump 1
Having a rather slow day in the office, so decided to do the usual 'dump'
Have been rather tied up, but just a few thoughts from the last couple of weeks to ponder, and as usual fume about.
Dump thought #1
Watched the Schools B rugby finals 2 Mondays ago. How times have changed, Raffles playing in the plate - 2 years running? A lot of educated men would say that in their day raffles was always in the finals and always winning it! The Cup final was between SAS and ACS (i). Alot at stake, SAS trying to rub dirt in the face of ACs by attempting to win a 4th straight final, and
ACS trying to show that they are still alive and kicking, and can still churn out champions.
Well, at the end of the day, ACS showed that they are still champions. A little bit overly dramatic if you ask me, but at the end of the day it looked like the yellow and blue guys had control and knew what to do in the game. The Saints on the other hand, while on paper had the exact same side that won the trophy 12 months ago seemed lost, indecisive and with their big playmaker lasting all 7 minutes, you had to wonder what the coaches and management were thinking.
Which, in a long winded manner, comes to my point – Why put in a player who can only play 7 minutes? Investigations found out that the player has not even played one whole game the entire season, but yet due to his past credentials, was put in the starting line up. Shades of Wayne Rooney and any other failed champion’s bid for glory, gambling on that ‘might have been’ star.
There lies the question though – for all coaches concerned. Just when is it not feasible to put an unhealthy/not full fit star into the team, in the hope that despite not being fit all season, he might shine for that crucial game? Is winning that important? In professional sports, it seems so, and for good reason. Winning on that stage means extra money and there are ways and means to ensure some form of performance through medication from the athlete. But at school level?
Have been rather tied up, but just a few thoughts from the last couple of weeks to ponder, and as usual fume about.
Dump thought #1
Watched the Schools B rugby finals 2 Mondays ago. How times have changed, Raffles playing in the plate - 2 years running? A lot of educated men would say that in their day raffles was always in the finals and always winning it! The Cup final was between SAS and ACS (i). Alot at stake, SAS trying to rub dirt in the face of ACs by attempting to win a 4th straight final, and
ACS trying to show that they are still alive and kicking, and can still churn out champions.
Well, at the end of the day, ACS showed that they are still champions. A little bit overly dramatic if you ask me, but at the end of the day it looked like the yellow and blue guys had control and knew what to do in the game. The Saints on the other hand, while on paper had the exact same side that won the trophy 12 months ago seemed lost, indecisive and with their big playmaker lasting all 7 minutes, you had to wonder what the coaches and management were thinking.
Which, in a long winded manner, comes to my point – Why put in a player who can only play 7 minutes? Investigations found out that the player has not even played one whole game the entire season, but yet due to his past credentials, was put in the starting line up. Shades of Wayne Rooney and any other failed champion’s bid for glory, gambling on that ‘might have been’ star.
There lies the question though – for all coaches concerned. Just when is it not feasible to put an unhealthy/not full fit star into the team, in the hope that despite not being fit all season, he might shine for that crucial game? Is winning that important? In professional sports, it seems so, and for good reason. Winning on that stage means extra money and there are ways and means to ensure some form of performance through medication from the athlete. But at school level?
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Transplants don't always work
Are we pushing our young athletes too far?
The recent buzz in the media and within Singapore’s relatively small sporting community is over the proposed sports hub, and how that will seemingly spur our sporting performance and ‘create’ a sporting nation.
Much like everything else in Singapore, the relevant authorities seem to merely be doing the official ‘cut and paste’ job in creating something. Namely, taking in various successful approaches from overseas and transplanting it to our sunny island and proclaiming that we have ‘adapted’ them to fit our environment.
Well I am sorry wise government heads, but I have to disagree on that point. One can’t just create a sporting nation, or a sporting industry just by building steel and glass structures and be confident that everything else will sprout from there. A pre existing culture of sports has to be cultivated, from seed to sapling to deep rooted tree. I know that most of the trees and plants in our island nation are grown from fast growing saplings which need minimal maturing time, but unfortunately not all things can be transplanted and grown as well as our flora.
A sporting culture is one that is cultivated outside the need to gain CCA points, outside the need to win gold, outside the need of cash incentives. These are merely by products of having a sporting culture. What really motivates a sporting nation? Is it the drive to ‘bring glory to the land’ via the wins and accumulation of golds? That is merely a by product of having a true sporting culture. Having a nation of people that truly enjoy sports, and embrace the true passion of sports. When you have that, the excellence will come, and the gold medals will come in.
Take a look at Australia. In comparison to the other major sporting nations, they have a much smaller population based to call upon. And yet, in the last 10 years, we have seen the emergence of the ‘Aussies’ as championship contenders in a wide range or sports. Their soccer players are scattered around the world and are rated among the best, their basketball team is in the top 5, they have top rated tennis players, and not too long ago the ‘thropedo’ was causing havoc in pools across the globe. One might argue that they are not world champions in any particular sport. That is true. But look at this in another way – they have teams that are consistently in the top 5 across a wide array of sports.
Scan any open field in any town or city down under on a Saturday morning and there will be scores of children and adults alike participating in some form of team sport at any one time. Children start basic motor skill training at the tender age of 2. Everyone knows a little bit about sport. Everyone knows what it is, and the passion that goes along with it.
This is one of the problems here with the Singapore system, especially at the youth level. Sport is predominately organized and identified by the school colors one wears. From age 10 to 18 the athlete is solely focused on winning for his or her school. Not everyone is an elite athlete. PE lessons are now changing to focus on teaching ‘concept skills’. But what about mass participation? There is simply no resources to run 10 soccer teams a week, to cater to everyone who likes to play.
So how then is the next question?
The recent buzz in the media and within Singapore’s relatively small sporting community is over the proposed sports hub, and how that will seemingly spur our sporting performance and ‘create’ a sporting nation.
Much like everything else in Singapore, the relevant authorities seem to merely be doing the official ‘cut and paste’ job in creating something. Namely, taking in various successful approaches from overseas and transplanting it to our sunny island and proclaiming that we have ‘adapted’ them to fit our environment.
Well I am sorry wise government heads, but I have to disagree on that point. One can’t just create a sporting nation, or a sporting industry just by building steel and glass structures and be confident that everything else will sprout from there. A pre existing culture of sports has to be cultivated, from seed to sapling to deep rooted tree. I know that most of the trees and plants in our island nation are grown from fast growing saplings which need minimal maturing time, but unfortunately not all things can be transplanted and grown as well as our flora.
A sporting culture is one that is cultivated outside the need to gain CCA points, outside the need to win gold, outside the need of cash incentives. These are merely by products of having a sporting culture. What really motivates a sporting nation? Is it the drive to ‘bring glory to the land’ via the wins and accumulation of golds? That is merely a by product of having a true sporting culture. Having a nation of people that truly enjoy sports, and embrace the true passion of sports. When you have that, the excellence will come, and the gold medals will come in.
Take a look at Australia. In comparison to the other major sporting nations, they have a much smaller population based to call upon. And yet, in the last 10 years, we have seen the emergence of the ‘Aussies’ as championship contenders in a wide range or sports. Their soccer players are scattered around the world and are rated among the best, their basketball team is in the top 5, they have top rated tennis players, and not too long ago the ‘thropedo’ was causing havoc in pools across the globe. One might argue that they are not world champions in any particular sport. That is true. But look at this in another way – they have teams that are consistently in the top 5 across a wide array of sports.
Scan any open field in any town or city down under on a Saturday morning and there will be scores of children and adults alike participating in some form of team sport at any one time. Children start basic motor skill training at the tender age of 2. Everyone knows a little bit about sport. Everyone knows what it is, and the passion that goes along with it.
This is one of the problems here with the Singapore system, especially at the youth level. Sport is predominately organized and identified by the school colors one wears. From age 10 to 18 the athlete is solely focused on winning for his or her school. Not everyone is an elite athlete. PE lessons are now changing to focus on teaching ‘concept skills’. But what about mass participation? There is simply no resources to run 10 soccer teams a week, to cater to everyone who likes to play.
So how then is the next question?
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Sckoolboy 7s
Managed to catch the Singapore Cricket Club Schools and Colleges 7s tournament on the weekend, and it was a rather disappointing sight. It has been awhile since I have set foot at a school’s rugby event, but it must be said that the standard was not as I expected. The worse thing was to only have 5 schools participating in the colleges tournament – imagine that : Only 5 teams competing for the Sittawalla Trophy in 2007, compared to 20 odd participants in the early 90s.
The reason for this was something about exams, and having to place the tournament a week after its usual date due to field availability. Whatever the reason, the organizers should have a long hard look at how they run the tournament. Such a prestigious 7s tournament being reduced to an afterthought is such a shame.
The other shame of the day was to see ACS (I) play all their IB boys in the under 17 competition. For the uninitiated, ACS has converted to a through train system and now offers the international A level to its students. What this means is that you got 17 year olds playing in the under 17 competition as a legal team. This would be perfectly fine for ACS if those who played in the 7s have actually been representing the school at the under 17 level at the on going police cup. From what I hear, ACS did not put in their boys who are playing in the police cup for this year. Preferring to send in their 17 year old boys who will be playing in the Police Cup u20 competition later on in the year.
Some might say its ok, its about the team having the right resources to chose who they want for the tournament at hand, and being able to win it at the same time. I say where is your pride? Where is that sportsman spirit?
On the bright side, a few teams were extremely good. Pioneer Secondary school has a team of talented, natural athletes. Fast runners, agile sidesteps and great ball handling skills make this team one to watch. With some guidance , these guys will be great players in the future.
The Saints did not make the Finals, losing to UWC in the final due to some extremely questionable refereeing decisions. But refereeing decisions will always be questionable so lets put the ref aside. The saints looked extremely tired towards the end of the semi finals, and one has to ask if it was a result of a long tournament or a long season for them.
In the colleges tournament, UWC looked like a bunch of seasoned professionals, having the guidance of a national coach on their side did not hurt as well. SAJC lacked the personnel to carry them through, and looked extremely disjointed. ACJC won the tournament against UWC in the finals, with a bunch of unknowns. Who says that AC is dead?
When the sun set, I was burnt, but at least I had my fix of local schools rugby. It was a pity though that the SCC can organize a great men’s tournament , but seem to not give the schoolboys enough thought.
The reason for this was something about exams, and having to place the tournament a week after its usual date due to field availability. Whatever the reason, the organizers should have a long hard look at how they run the tournament. Such a prestigious 7s tournament being reduced to an afterthought is such a shame.
The other shame of the day was to see ACS (I) play all their IB boys in the under 17 competition. For the uninitiated, ACS has converted to a through train system and now offers the international A level to its students. What this means is that you got 17 year olds playing in the under 17 competition as a legal team. This would be perfectly fine for ACS if those who played in the 7s have actually been representing the school at the under 17 level at the on going police cup. From what I hear, ACS did not put in their boys who are playing in the police cup for this year. Preferring to send in their 17 year old boys who will be playing in the Police Cup u20 competition later on in the year.
Some might say its ok, its about the team having the right resources to chose who they want for the tournament at hand, and being able to win it at the same time. I say where is your pride? Where is that sportsman spirit?
On the bright side, a few teams were extremely good. Pioneer Secondary school has a team of talented, natural athletes. Fast runners, agile sidesteps and great ball handling skills make this team one to watch. With some guidance , these guys will be great players in the future.
The Saints did not make the Finals, losing to UWC in the final due to some extremely questionable refereeing decisions. But refereeing decisions will always be questionable so lets put the ref aside. The saints looked extremely tired towards the end of the semi finals, and one has to ask if it was a result of a long tournament or a long season for them.
In the colleges tournament, UWC looked like a bunch of seasoned professionals, having the guidance of a national coach on their side did not hurt as well. SAJC lacked the personnel to carry them through, and looked extremely disjointed. ACJC won the tournament against UWC in the finals, with a bunch of unknowns. Who says that AC is dead?
When the sun set, I was burnt, but at least I had my fix of local schools rugby. It was a pity though that the SCC can organize a great men’s tournament , but seem to not give the schoolboys enough thought.
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