Singapore United

I saw him when I was a 17 years old struggling abreast with the hectic schedule of workload of juggling academic and CCA as second year junior college student. That time he was only 15, and already crowned world pool champion. I thought to myself, what am I doing when some teenager from Taiwan actually can have the calibre to beat his counterparts possessing wealth of experience in Pool competition.

In Singapore, its not likely to happen given the "economic" mindset that our government has instilled within our society. Studies always come first and interest and leisure will only come after that, very much for recreational purposes rather than being professional. Placing a recreational attitude towards non-academic events for example sports inevitably result in talent scacity.

Today in the Sunday times, I saw Wu Chia Ching again. This time not for any truimph of winning any pool titles but being offered a Permanent Resident status. Many question mark soon appeared on my head.

Firstly, I thought the headline on the main page should be with regards to the Earth Hour. A global effort is surely more worthwhile to be reported much more than a swapping of citizenship of a quitter? No disrespect to him but I just cannot see myself swapping my citizenship of another country where I have not even stay at.

Secondly, questions must be asked how easy for someone with certain talents to get our Permanent Resident and soon Citizenship. Wu came to be a sparring partner of the Singapore Cuesport team and after just one month, he has gain access to get a PR status? Personally I'm unsure of the PR regulation but certainly the ease of getting a PR status has to be looked into.

Thirdly, I think the article and some comments left much to be desired. Wu himself had claimed to be prepared to serve his time in National Service in Singapore. I wondered whether he was really committed or he had knew that he would be exempted of National Service. Another comment from the Cuesport vice president said that Wu is not here to win medals but also to involve in schools and be a role model for our youth. Does that mean when our Sports School, with the faintest chance of producing a prodigy, had succesfully manufactured a local talent capable of being World champion, heeded Wu advice to look for a greener pasture? Although this is far fetched but a certain way to let the government understand the feeling of a sporting talent being poached. Or maybe they are already immune to the huge amount of singaporeans who has lost faith and emigrated abroad.

Our Prime minister has call of a more United Singapore to stand tall against the crisis. But seriously, apart from the economic front, Singapore has a long way in population policy. I certainly hope the devaluation of my citizenship and dilution of society around me will improve someday.