 Loading ...The report:The Straits Times reported today (18 June) that some national junior athletes were caught drinking alcohol in their hotel rooms after the end of the South-east Asian Junior Athletics Championships in Phuket. There are also allegations that an Singapore Athletic Association (SAA) official, upon making the discovery, not only did not stop the teens but even played card games with them late into the night. The SAA official also allegedly brought the athletes out to smoke shisha. When contacted, the SAA said it was considering referring the matter to the students’ schools so that they can be disciplinarily dealt by their schools. However, parents are upset with the SAA for considering this option – they say that the athletes were representing Singapore, not their schools, and as such, should be dealt with by the NSA. Also, they are upset with the NSA for not looking after their kids properly when they are away on competition. My thoughts:I think one particular line from Leonard Lim’s report probably sums up the impact of this whole episode best: “The saga has taken the shine off what had been Singapore’s best performance at the annual competition, which is seen as a breeding ground for future SEA Games stars” I wonder if the SAA actually knew what sort of message it was sending when it said that it was considering referring the matter to the athletes’ schools for disciplinary action, instead of taking action against its charges and officials itself. As a parent, this is the message I got: “Congratulations, your child has been chosen by us to represent Singapore in an overseas competition. If he does well, all credit to him, to Singapore and to us. “However, don’t trust us to take full care of him or her when they are away. What he or she gets up to is not our responsibility.” And so, with one statement from its chief supremo ( “We are considering our options now, and one of them includes referring the matter to the respective schools for the necessary action to be taken.” ), the SAA has effectively undermined the bonds of trust between it and the parents of national junior athletes and, equally significantly, and with these students’ schools. Do you think that from now on, parents will be so willing to allow their kids to compete overseas, given the sort of (non) assurances of care that they are getting from the SAA? Likewise, do you think schools will be so willing to accede to the SAA’s request to give their students time off from their studies to compete overseas? Why should they do so – especially now that it is made abundantly clear that they must deal with whatever mischief their students get up too whilst representing their NSA and their country? Wouldn’t it better and a lot more convenient for them to say no to the student taking time off from school in the first place, right? Call me old-fashioned but I consider national representation a form of national service. Sure, these teens are being given opportunities to compete overseas and to go to places which they may not, or may never visit. And sure, it is common knowledge that athletes do get into ‘mischief’ when away. But the fact remains that these athletes are also going to these places to represent the country and to lift the name of the country and the NSA. As such, the NSA should be like the army. It must have a stringent list of discipline protocols, of dos and don’ts for these athletes to ensure that a) these teenagers are taken care off at all times, b) they don’t get up to any behaviour which may be detrimental to themselves, their team mates, the NSA’s name and Singapore’s reputation. and finally, c) parents and schools can have the utmost peace of mind when they allow their children to travel overseas. It’s not very hard to do all these things, SAA. Whenever you want to send a bunch of junior athletes overseas, just tell them that they have to be on their best behaviour at all times because they are representing Singapore. Drill it into them that they are not to do anything that will let themselves and the country down. Finally, impress it upon them in no uncertain terms that while things may happen behind closed doors, these students/athletes will still be liable for punishment if they ever get caught. Also, have a meeting with the parents to tell the same things. Now, is that really so difficult? Instead, because the SAA apparently spent three weeks investigating these incidents, I am told by my sources that some students who had been caught drinking heavily in Phuket were still allowed to go compete in the 13th Asian Junior Athletics Championships in Jakarta. Again, what sort of message is being sent to parents here? I think this episode has left a nasty aftertaste in many people’s mouths and I think that some measure of parental and school trust has been lost. In fact, the damage may be irreparable with some parents/schools. But it is never too late for the SAA to pick up the pieces and use it to improve the way it manages it athletes overseas. Thing is, does it realise the need to do so? Yours in Sport
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This is more like a STOMP reporting, no privacy at all these days with such reportings
Why don’t local media cover more stories than would actually benefit local athletics like the dedication, sacrifices and training of athletes or their coaches
It was after the end of the competition and there was some drinking in their rooms. Plus card playing doesn’t hurt anyone, all they want is to have fun and wind-down. A similar anology; I go to conferences around the world representing my MNC and at the end of such sessions, after being all serious for work, we have some fun at the end of the day. All work and no play is no good, as we all know it right. The important thing is to get the job done, as for our athlete case, they’ve performed well at the recent meets
What makes you think other athletes and even officials are not doing it themselves. The other nations are even worst I might add. I’m a former nat respresentative myself, I know
SAAA has always been known to play the pushing blame game. I’m not surprised they took this long to deliberate and asked the schools to handle it in the end
Nor SAAA have the interest of the athlete at heart for the longest time. They’ll only seek the athletes/coaches when glory is attained and put their foot in, wanting to take credit “Hey we help them groomed them … bla bla bla”
I’d say forive but don’t forget. Indeed I do agree on one thing; SAAA need to get their act right
HEY FELLA
THEY ARE NOW KNOWN AS SAA, NO MORE SAAA
NAME CHANGE BUT THE KOK STILL ARD
I agree that we need more positive press and coverage of our athletes. But what made this case hit the headlines was the fact that those who were drinking were under-aged. You’re not supposed to encourage that as an NSA, especially when the kids were entrusted to your care.
Firstly w regards to the “fun after competition” saga. I think its ridiculous that playing cards, drinking and smoking shisha were tolerated. As far as im concerned, those involved should be punished severely to send out a strong signal. Afterall, we are talking about kids here and those responsible are liable to their parents. Put yourself in the position of a parent and ask youself how you would react if you found out that your kid is venturing into such vices, not to mention at a sports meet where sporting values totally contradict what they were involved in.
Furthermore, I am sure there are better ways of having “fun”. What message are we sending our kids if we tell them that playing cards, drinking and smoking are ways to have “fun”. That would have implications when they reach adulthood. (It would only prob be good news to the IR fraternity. Maybe they can consider holding sports meets.)
Next, I totally agree w Kennths points about positive press coverage. Actually my gripe is about the lack of press coverage. A very good example even in this website is that of the Jakarta 10km race. Only 2 Singaporeans represented our nation but we only had the results of one, Darshananth. We do not even have the full name of the female athlete representing Singapore. We only know her as Elaine (how many Elaines are there in Spore) and the given timing is 41min (exact time?) What about her position? I’m pretty impressed with a girl who can do 41min for 10km. I don’t think many women in Spore can do that timing, probably only a handful so I would like to know where she stands in an international meet. Whoever the reporter was, I do not think it is that difficult to get the particulars and results of ONLY 2 athletes representing our nation. Even if the athlete is not interviewed (There was an article dedicated to Darshananth), I feel that it is only with respect that we acknowledge the effort put in by our local athletes at such events.