I have moved to mokyingren.com :)

http://redsports.sg/2009/05/04/teo-ser-luck-interview-part-4/

Hmm. was reading this article and the 4 responses by people. I think James put the idea across quite well though his tone was not very nice to our Minister.

I think it is true that bringing Foreign Talent (FT) into SIngapore is not going to work to bring up SIngapore Sports. Frankly, I am lucky, that TAS has not brought in any FT for triathlon. Because, If they do, I will not have achieved what I have so far. Lets see why. Mr Teo suggested that bringing FT will lead to locals wanting to compete with them, thus bringing the best out in us. But that does not really work I feel. In singapore, Most of our athletes are students. 90% of our gold medals in SEA Games are won by student- athletes. These students i presume are already balancing their studies and trainings and are already doing their best at training. THey are doing very well because despite needing to study, they beat several professional atheltes to win their medals.  Same for me, I was juggling my medical studies when I was training for my triathlon at the 2007 sea games.

I can just imagine if they bring in a FT. What happens? The FT starts training full time. he dun need to study, he dun need to work becus training is his work. he train eats sleep. Now, to represent singapore, i must beat the FT. you tell me how? Quit studies? In this situation, the local have no choice but to quit studies if he wanna represent singapore. becus that is the only way to compete with an FT. Well, some people will say train smarter la. Well, go try seriously. no matter how smart u train, training makes u tired and with the need to attend school 8-5, how to rest well?

I think bringing FT is not the solution. We know the following:

1. Training professionally give the best results

2. Student-atheltes are not training optimally because school takes up rest time.

THe solutions for is therefore is to inspire students to WANT to quit school and train professionally. How? Dun bring in FTs. Work with MOE, teach students values of timeplanning. TImetable shift from 10pm – 3pm (For university too! for the late bloomers) days so that athletes can train double a day. Blablaba. THis will lead to superior performance by just student atheltes. Next, these SA will perform well at SEA Games. With proper input with sports scientist (James is right again, we should engage sportsscientist experts at managing SAs to optimise training. what is not needed in training, strike them out, and some luck, and some money (Sports high performance is abt risk taking! and dare to change! http://www.sportscoachingbrain.com/what-is-high-performance/), these SA will make it to asian games level and do very well. With some luck, some incentives, they see that they are already half way there, they MAY consider quitting school and work towards the olympics. Because, they are so near!! We cannot expect SEA Games medallist to go pro. they can see that it is quite far. are they willing to risk? But if they already at asian games level, the risk is lower!

As you can see this will take years!!! Its patience that will bring out champions from our younger generation and really require some inter-ministry cooperation!.

 

Sorry this is quite ramblish i am just typing my thoughts. What do you guys think? Put ur thoughts down in my tag board. haha. Good night, for now, i just want to start running faster!!