I am not so hopeful at this point. 
It took quite a bit of hoo-ha and stepping in of higher authorities to ensure that we have coverage of the Commonwealth Games on telly. That's really, really pathetic.
Anyway, just over a week ago, we went for the final day of the 7th Asia Swimming Championship that was held at the Sports School. The turnout was pathetic, too. There are hordes of Singaporean youngsters who pack our swimming pools for lessons/training daily and here was a high level meet right in their own backyard, with tickets priced very cheaply (<$10) and not many bothered to watch. It was actually the last day of the school term and on the stands were mostly competitors and their relatives.
When I watch any of the tennis grand slams on TV, or even the less major tournaments, the stands are packed. People are willing to take time off work or whatever, fly across the country and pay for expensive tickets. Sadly, we'll never get that here. I hear that even our national football team does not play for full capacity crowds these days.
Having been to two World Swimming Championships (that's like the World Cup for the aquatics), once in Perth (1998 - 4 months pregnant!) and once in Fukuoka (2001), I just feel that we are so tame here in our 'love' for sports. There was so much excitement and part of it was due to the crowds who thronged in to watch even the heats (despite very expensive tickets - about $70 or more, if I remember correctly). The whole city would be filled with the atmosphere of the competition.
I remember in particular a water polo (preliminary round) match between Croatia and Yugoslavia at the 1998 championships. The pool was packed and it was so exciting although I knew nothing about either team. I sat next to this elderly Croatian lady who got me to cheer for her side! If anyone talks about an 'electrifying' atmostphere, I know exactly how it feels.
Then there was this Brit lady I sat next to at the swimming heats in Fukuoka, who kind of told me off for our country's sporting policies of that era. I told her that our dear young swimmers were there for the 'exposure' and were gunning for medals at the SEA Games. She (correctly) expressed horror at this and promptly informed me that the right way to do things was to use SEA Games and regional meets to gear up for higher things, like the World Championships and the Olympics. Well, I was just telling her the truth about our competitiors.
Thankfully, the current enlightened Sports Council leadership has said that athletes' ultimate aim should be the ultimate(s) of sports competition - the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, World championships and things like that.
But the fact remains that many people are just not thinking big enough. At the end of that Asia swimming meet, the V-P of the Swimming Association said, 'This is the best opportunity for the youngsters to watch and learn. Yet, you see more people turning up at age-group meets.'
And then there is our TV station's unwillingness to pay the Commonwealth Games broadcast fees...
It took quite a bit of hoo-ha and stepping in of higher authorities to ensure that we have coverage of the Commonwealth Games on telly. That's really, really pathetic.
Anyway, just over a week ago, we went for the final day of the 7th Asia Swimming Championship that was held at the Sports School. The turnout was pathetic, too. There are hordes of Singaporean youngsters who pack our swimming pools for lessons/training daily and here was a high level meet right in their own backyard, with tickets priced very cheaply (<$10) and not many bothered to watch. It was actually the last day of the school term and on the stands were mostly competitors and their relatives.
When I watch any of the tennis grand slams on TV, or even the less major tournaments, the stands are packed. People are willing to take time off work or whatever, fly across the country and pay for expensive tickets. Sadly, we'll never get that here. I hear that even our national football team does not play for full capacity crowds these days.
Having been to two World Swimming Championships (that's like the World Cup for the aquatics), once in Perth (1998 - 4 months pregnant!) and once in Fukuoka (2001), I just feel that we are so tame here in our 'love' for sports. There was so much excitement and part of it was due to the crowds who thronged in to watch even the heats (despite very expensive tickets - about $70 or more, if I remember correctly). The whole city would be filled with the atmosphere of the competition.
I remember in particular a water polo (preliminary round) match between Croatia and Yugoslavia at the 1998 championships. The pool was packed and it was so exciting although I knew nothing about either team. I sat next to this elderly Croatian lady who got me to cheer for her side! If anyone talks about an 'electrifying' atmostphere, I know exactly how it feels.
Then there was this Brit lady I sat next to at the swimming heats in Fukuoka, who kind of told me off for our country's sporting policies of that era. I told her that our dear young swimmers were there for the 'exposure' and were gunning for medals at the SEA Games. She (correctly) expressed horror at this and promptly informed me that the right way to do things was to use SEA Games and regional meets to gear up for higher things, like the World Championships and the Olympics. Well, I was just telling her the truth about our competitiors.
Thankfully, the current enlightened Sports Council leadership has said that athletes' ultimate aim should be the ultimate(s) of sports competition - the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, World championships and things like that.
But the fact remains that many people are just not thinking big enough. At the end of that Asia swimming meet, the V-P of the Swimming Association said, 'This is the best opportunity for the youngsters to watch and learn. Yet, you see more people turning up at age-group meets.'
And then there is our TV station's unwillingness to pay the Commonwealth Games broadcast fees...
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