Have we won an Olympics medal? Really?
A few days ago, people were positively outraged that this Foreign Talent (and you can imagine them saying it in a very contemptuous and derisive tone) dragged the National flag on the floor during the opening ceremony, and now people are positively proud that she is one of us, she won a silver medal for us! Excuse moi while I go to that corner and roll my eyes silly.
*Goes to corner and rolls eyes silly* *Comes back prim and proper again*
Where is our pride and dignity, that we forsake it so readily for a bit of gain?
The BBC pens its article. starting off with
Feng Tianwei, who, like the rest of the Singapore team, is an import from China, won both her singles matches to help them clinch a tense 3-2 victory.
You feel proud? You feel that Singapore has won a Silver medal?
I don’t. And I am not the only one it seems.
And this doesn’t sit well with me too.
Their table tennis coach Liu Guodong said: “I feel very honoured. I’ve been in Singapore for just over two years and can help it get an Olympic medal, at least a silver, for the first time in 48 years.”
好大的傲气啊！
I am going to be scathing here and say - that you are only here in Singapore because you know you cannot make it in China.
And it shames me greatly to say that.
And since we are into such capitalism and buying of National pride, why go for the second best? They should have bought Wang Nan and Zhang Yining over! Then, we would have won our first gold metal in 48 years, or ever.
**
I have nothing against people choosing to immigrate to this country. I shake my head at the whole Foreign Talent nationwide propaganda because I think most of them are a big joke, including the now very famous Mr Amit Nagpal. I used to think that Foreign Talent belong in the category of private bankers who specialize in certain niches, highly specialized industry experts and so forth. Apparently our government disagrees. These days, even a foreigner with average qualification and professional experience is considered as a “Foreign Talent”. Thankfully I don’t need to write an entire diatribe to express how appalled I am and how ridiculous this whole ruckus is. Endoh has done it very nicely.
With that kind of direction from the government, I wonder how much stronghold the citizens have in this landscape of rapidly increasing foreign talent. There are many of these foreign talent in the estate I live in now. They are rude, aggressive and have no common sense of living in Singapore. I wonder if they can truly assimilate in the lifestyle and culture of Singapore, or are we merely a stepping stone for them to move on to US or Canada?
As for the Foreign Talent playing in the Singapore team, I do not blame them for coming here for the money. Anyone would. I blame the government for yet again, choosing the short term solution route. You may say that with the Sports School changes everything. We are now nurturing our own, encouraging our young - no expenses spared. Really??
Yet another foreign talent.
And you think she is one of us? That she thinks she is one of us?
In January 2008, Tao became embroiled in controversy after the Singapore Swimming Association (SSA) introduced a 15% levy on the cash awards given to swimmers, with about 6% set aside for youth development. As part of the government’s Multi-Million Dollar Award Programme (MAP), she received S$23,750 for winning three individual titles and one team gold at the 2007 SEA Games.
She was therefore “taxed” S$3,562.50, with S$1,425 going to youth development. Unhappy with this, Tao said: “If they [the SSA] want to cultivate youth, they should find their own money, not pay using our awards. It’s through our hard work that we got the money. So, I don’t see the point that we should give the money to the youths.” She also said it had been her school and not the SSA which had borne the expense of her overseas training. The SSA said it was “very disappointed” with her comments, and pointed out that the association had spent “easily in excess of $20,000″ in sending her for competitions abroad such as the World Championships, Hong Kong Open and Japan International, and a stint at the Australian Institute of Sport. SSA Vice-President Oon Jin Gee told the press, “Even with the Sports School funding it, it’s our taxpayers’ dollars going into her development. It doesn’t matter which avenue it comes from, it’s still Singapore’s support for her.
And now they are using the taxpayers’ money to fund her million dollar makeover.
I am so sick of the level of stupidity of this government.
Can we entice Obama Barack and Hillary Clinton in as Foreign Talent to replace this lot of grossly overpaid and highly complacent peacocks?
Oh. I don’t think so. It slipped my mind that Mr Barack and Ms Clinton are in politics for totally different reasons than our local chosen ones. Silly me.
Here’s what I think: local-born, locally nurtured medal winning athletes won’t exist even with better sports facilities. The reason is simple: it is not in the psyche (or mentality) of Singaporean parents to consider sports as a possible and bright career path for their children. In short, a child who might be a sports talent may today live a mediocre life as nothing more than an auditor sweating into the late hours of the night because his / her parents object to her interest when young.
Thus, it is my opinion we need to kick start it somewhere to make the thought of professional athletes an appealing one to some parents. And the only way is for the nation to start winning medals with foreign imports.
xizor: I would. My elder girl is good in sports and is in her school team. But look at the Sports School now. It’s another excuse to spend the taxpayers’ money on Foreign Talent again. Can we be assured as mothers or fathers, that the same resources will be spent on our children? That is the million dollar question.
The govt has to stop meddling with education policies.
I found it funny that the government tries to take credit for the medal by saying that the medal wasn’t gotten by chance… but rather by a design and planning that spanned 20 years.
*faint*
Bear bear: If that was a far sighted effort that spanned 20 years, we would have had a few young local athletics now, wouldn’t we?
This government is the best in the world - unsurpassed spin doctors.
Time and again we are told that with Singapore small population base, we can never produce an Einstein or a Noble Prize winner.
But Jamaica with a population of 2.7 millions and a GDP per capital of $4,300 (world’s 114th) has just produced the 2008 Olympic’s fastest men (1st, 5th and 6th) and fastest women (1st, 2nd and 3rd) in the 100 metres sprint.
Why must Singapore with a population of 4.6 millions and a GDP per capital of $49,714 (world’s 5th) import foreign talents from the world’s most populous nation to produce just a silver medalists.
Come on Singapore, where is our next Tan Howe Liang in us? Let’s show the world we can do it on our own.
The women’s table tennis final was China A team vs China B team. The B team was on loan to the Singapore Goverment. “It was their idea because they never include the citizens opinions.”
I had mixed feelings watching the finals and I would have felt lousy if I were in a similar situation as Li Jia Wei or her team mates competing against their previous country.
This govt should not waste time planning for 20 years in reaping more Olympic medals. Just tell Ho Ching not to lose so much money, put up more ERP gantries, etc,etc, and there is ample money to entice China to loan Singapore their B team badminton players, divers, gymnasts. Why not go for gold as well since they are into this strategy ? Make the top sportsmen/women in China an offer that they find hard to refuse and the rest of Asean will envy us for our London Olympics achievements in 2012. LOL
Rachel
Singapore had eye Zhang Yi Ning before but China refused to let go. So the chairman choose Li Jia Wei, both were 12 yrs old and team mates then. china has been training atheletics since they are very very young. And only the cream of the crop will get to play in the Olympics. Those who doesn’t play, does not mean that they are not good.
Putraputri,
We cannot compare ourselves with Jamica. If you have follow closely, most of the world’s fastest man/woman are the blacks. Even American Carl Lewis, then the world fastest man is black. So we might need to get a black man here and train him in order to even qualify for the heats. **roll eye**
I agreed with what xizor said, the parents here have to change the mindset if we want to have a local born medal winning athletes.
How many of us, the parents here, will tell our kids to give up their studies and persue their dreams. I think only a handful.
So instead of critising the government of bringing import sportman, why not do something about it now. Nuture your kids now on sports and who knows 15 years down the road we might have local born athletes.
Babe: That tells you a lot doesn’t it? That China refused to let Zhang Yining go, but “released” Li Jiawei to us?
Is a medal really that important to us, I wonder, that we can sidetrack the issue of pride, dignity and glory.
The only thing now is, I sincerely hope that she will stay on after all the country has invested in her, so that she can contribute in the future coaching and inspiration of our budding athletics.
PS: I dare to blog about this because I am one who will put my money where my mouth is.
Seriously, I am not sure whether I will support my kids’ dreams or not. Which is why I am not against the foreign import thingy.
Lets face the fact, no country in the world will ever release their creame of the crop to any countries. Though Singapore has to settle for second best, what Singapore have to prove is that even the 2nd best can beat their world best players.
If I am not wrong, Li Jia Wei ever beat Wang Nan in one of the games (Wang Nan was world number 2 then).
“On 3 July 2004 Li took gold in the women’s singles at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Pro Tour US Open in Chicago.[15] Subsequently, at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, she defeated the second-seeded China player Wang Nan”
putraputri,
“Why must Singapore with a population of 4.6 millions and a GDP per capital of $49,714 (world’s 5th) import foreign talents from the world’s most populous nation to produce just a silver medalists.”
you just hit the nail on the head..the reason is because we deem ourselves as affluent with enough money to buy expensive toys to show off!
Lest we forget, Singapore is a nation of immigrants.
Many of the politicians (old guards) were from Malaysia, including Rajaretnam and Hon Siew Sen (sp)and Devan Nair. Lim Kim San was from Medan.
The CEO of DBS bank is a foreigner and so is the CEO of the OCBC bank. The media director of SIA is an Englishman. It’s first and second MDs were Malaysians. Today many of its pilots are foreigners !!
The French football team won the world cup with Zidane who was born in Algeria. Many of the paddlers playing for Sweden, Germany and Canada are Chinese immigrants.
So why not Singapore when the local born are so lazy even to make their own breakfast without the help of a maid?
Go get a life and stop bleating like a sheep!!
Dear Xtralicious,
I am proud of our Table Tennis team. I admire their committment, professionalism and their dedication devoted into their sport in order to win a silver medal in the Olympic Games.
I am proud of Singapore, proud that we are able to receive and accommodate such individuals who are so willing to give their all in the pursuit of excellence; and to achieve so much in a relatively short time.
Show the world we are big-hearted enough to accept Olympic winners into our midst. Judge them not by their race or nationality but by their professionalism. The world looks upon us. Let’s not disappoint.
Best,
Eaststopper
Kent: I don’t know how many times I have repeat myself saying that I don’t have an issue with Foreign Talent but the policy. I have issues with the POLICY.
I respect genuine talented foreigners who come here and bring with them expertise and specialized knowledge and most importantly, create jobs in the process. These are the people whom you have mentioned.
My bosses are Foreign Talents too, go ponder on that.
My goat is towards those who come with average qualification and experience, of which you can easily identify in OUR OWN LOCALS. I don’t need to underline the implications of that.
Lastly, when you make a comment here, I would appreciate it if it addresses the issues at hand and not make cheap personal attacks or potshots.
After all, it is possible to agree to disagree cordially.
Eaststopper: Thanks for dropping by
I agree with you that the players deserve to win the Silver Medal. No one will discount their perseverance, their hard work and their determination.
They did good, made good.
The question is really, our Foreign Sports Talent policy.
Again, I reiterate it is the policy I am questioning.
But I do think your positivity is very contagious.
right from day 1, when SSC introduced this Foreign Talent policy, could you imagine how many sports were taken up by foreigners? Swimming by Tao Li, soccer with half of the first 11 is from foreigners, table tennis, shot put, discus thrower, Add in badminton also.
Might as well ask the government to host the olympics, buy all the best players in the world and surely, a gold medal at last?
Xtralicious now says “I respect genuine talented foreigners who come here and bring with them expertise and specialized knowledge and most importantly, create jobs in the process.”
Bully for you. After they created the jobs tell me who are going to fill the lowly paid construction positions? Local born? Get a life!
As for “I would appreciate it if it addresses the issues at hand and not make cheap personal attacks or potshots” my comment is that I did not take any pot shot at you personally. But if the hat fits by all means put it on.
Take a trip to London or Paris or to Los Angles and you will see they too, like Singapore are full of foreign talents seeking jobs that locals are too proud even to apply for. So what’s your beef?
Kent: Did you ever once heard me make an issue about the coffeeshop, cleaner or labour positions being filled by foreigners?
I thought not.
I don’t care whether the cheap little potshots are directed towards me or the other commentors - it will not be tolerated here. However, witty snarkiness are always welcome.
I repeat again - “my goat (or if you wish, my BEEF) is towards those who come with average qualification and experience, of which you can easily identify in OUR OWN LOCALS.
Have you seen the resumes of these people? I have. And I am not so impressed.
And therein lies the difference between us and London/ Paris/ LA - “foreign talents seeking jobs that locals are too proud even to apply for”. For us, the foreign talent are getting the jobs the locals want.
If this does not bother you, we must agree to disagree, that is, if you ARE a local.
Gary: Don’t you find it strange why people never used to be unhappy about Lim Kim San and Tan Howe Liang not being born and bred here - but they would get so upset about the entire tt team being FT now?
Food for thought.
blackfeline: That’s the govt for you. Throw money at any problem - FT, ERP, GST rebates etc.
After all, what was the biggest motivator to be a minister in Singapore?
My bet is on.. money.
xtralicious says “I don’t care whether the cheap little potshots are directed towards me or the other commentors - it will not be tolerated here.”
You begin to sound very much an authoritarian govt that you resent so much.That is a paradox.
Relax, this is the cut and thrust of “coffee shop” debate. So long no four letter words are used it should be allowed.
Even the garmen is now agreeing to allow demo in the Hong Lim sand pit!
Then she claims “For us, the foreign talent are getting the jobs the locals want.”
Are you kidding me? Locals want lowly paid construction jobs? Since when, pray tell.
Let me say this : the reason why these so called FT are let in is that weare reproducing ourselves, despite the baby bonus.
We just did not have enough people to sustain a booming economy in the last few years.
The garmen had no choice. They had to take in people who can contribute to the economy like what is happening in Dubai where the FT exceeds the local born!!
So instead of acting like a billy goat how about making more kids?
Kent: I was so tempted to delete your comment - my brain imploded a few times after reading your comment.
For “coffeeshop debates”, please go to sammyboy forums.
Like I said, witty snarkiness is very much welcome here. Quality, my friend, not quantity.
As for having children, I have two already, thank you very much. Again, quality.. not quantity.
And this is the most exasperating part.
Are you kidding me? Locals want lowly paid construction jobs? Since when, pray tell.
Please!! Common sense will tell you no one is talking about blue collar jobs here! I spoke about vetting their resumes. Do construction workers and cleaners have RESUMES?
Geez!!!
Also, have you ever considered the long term implications of bringing in FT at a rapid influx? How about the ageing problem for one?
Someone should remind them that Nigeria sent their football team well into the Finals to go head-on with Argentina. That’s a good achievement they can be proud of, considering the humble training expenses they can afford compared to us.
I do feel happy to see Singapore’s flag flying high with a silver, but I’m not proud of it.
xtralicious :”I was so tempted to delete your comment.”
That would be censorship, would it not? May I remind you that you are now in a public domain?
Xtralicious :”my brain imploded a few times after reading your comment.”
Relax, this is only a debate. No insults intended.
Xtralicious:”For “coffeeshop debates”, please go to sammyboy forums.”
So is yours a boutique or salon chat room for elites only?
I see your goat is “towards those with average qualification and experience..”
If their qualifications are so bad why would employers hire them at the expense of local-borns? Is this the garmen’s fault if the employers exercise their rights to hire and fire?
For more detailed discussions on this important topic, see:
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=1149.1
Singapore Kopitiam:
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages/
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