“My daughter and the team discovered that the national team from New Zealand which took part in the same championships was sponsored – by Singapore Airlines.”
I won’t lie or hide the fact that I felt disappointed and my instinctive reaction was to say that it was unfair for SIA to support another team.
On second thoughts, Singapore Airlines shouldn’t be blamed for not being approached to be a sponsor. Afterall, they have a larger picture of local initiatives other than just sports they would like to support and that they do support- nevertheless, I’d prefer that if SIA supported anyone, it would be a local team. I can’t imagine the feeling if I represented my country in a foreign country to find my own carrier (despite the fact that it was a foreign office that supported the team) decided to support a foreign team.
My point is really to consider the situation of the rowers in the dragon boat team. I cannot believe how the system has not been sufficiently pro-active at helping their star representatives in getting sponsorships or funding. It is a shame that we let our rowers go through these ways of raising funds to carry out their interests when we should be part of the encouragement. In the long term, this could inevitably inhibit good talent from pursuing their passions and systematically discourage sportsmen in general.
With all this said and done, running an organisation such as the Sports Council is not an easy feat, and it could possible to say that it is as complex as running a Multi-national company with objectives and limitations. However, what matters is how our support system for sportsmen, especially those who need aid have let people slip through the cracks and how we may have left sportsmen to fend for themselves. A situation such as Mr Tan’s daughter is absolutely unnecessary.
It is understandable that we may lack the funds to help everyone, but why can’t we help those in dire need for funding and put in place a support system that could help source out sponsors or funding for them? It is only correct to assume that for youth who were able to comfortably afford their own expenses should contribute to their own bills, but help should be provided for good talent that do not have the means to support their sport interests/careers. The price of going the extra mile to seek support for these individuals is nothing compared to the opportunity cost of such talent missing a competition.
Despite SDBA’s ability to boaster other sponsors such as Singapore Pools and the Singapore Tourism Board, this case proves that our attempts at developing our own sporting talents are limited. Perhaps the support mechanism for developing our sportsmen can do more.
—My admiration goes out to Mr Tan’s daughter for her tenacity in pursing her passion in Dragon Boat despite the odds.
Leon is an opinionated student, loves to be with people and enjoys contemplating about everything under the sun. He is restless and is always looking for every opportunity to travel to see the world. At 16, he ventured off to Trieste, Italy for his pre-university, embracing the wonderful Mediterranean culture. In Italy, he was also a conflict resolution facilitator, working on youth engagement in Europe. He volunteers regularly for youth development to support ways to seek social change. On the side, Leon is an avid fan of the series Mythbusters, is a facebook addict and a food fanatic.