While hanging out between basketball games this afternoon, talk of Singapore hosting the Youth Olympic Games led to the favourite Singaporean pastime of government bashing. Car owners were upset that despite having paid their road tax, they still had to give way to official YOG vehicles or risk a fine. Others were shocked at the incredulous amount of money that went into this (“3x over the budget!”).
And then the important question was asked: “What’s the whole f—-ing point?”
I must admit, I wasn’t a whole lot enthusiastic about us bidding to host the Youth Olympic Games two years back. It felt like the consolation prize; like eating at the kiddie table. It wasn’t until I saw Selwyn’s photo that the possibility that we might be on the cusp of something special crossed my mind.
When I saw how the staff and students in my school came together for the the arrival of the YOG torch at our campus, I became pretty sure that the games would play a part in the building of the nation, especially in the hearts of the younger generation. This was most evident when we watched the Singapore Flag raised to a stunning rendition of the Majulah Singapura.
I’m actually glad that we’ve chosen to host the YOG instead of the actual Olympic Games. There is so much innocence in youth, and when it comes to children, we are better able to put aside the primal urge to place competition as the sole driving force for the games. Instead, education, cultural exchange and friendship lie at its heart. There is no medal tally for the YOG, though I’m sure enterprising newsmakers will quickly remedy that. The message to the youth athletes so far has been that they should “have fun”.
Maybe we won’t see an acceptable ROI on the games. Maybe it’s inconvenienced us. But there are many intangible goods - unquantifiable - that have come out of Singapore hosting the YOG. A sense of national pride on the international stage, a worldwide unity in the nurturing of the next generation, a temporary reprieve from the strict pragmatism that binds our island state. Yes, it’s probably an illusion, but a reprieve nonetheless.
I’m not saying that the organising committee shouldn’t be transparent about the over-expenditure. I’m saying that if we had once bemoaned the fact that the government clings on to GDP as its key indicator of how well citizens are being taken care of, maybe we shouldn’t be holding on to ROI so tightly either.
I find the cynicism about the YOG amongst adult Singaporeans terribly depressing. It just shows how little idealism Singaporeans have left. I just hope that the kids - at whom the YOG is really aimed at - can ignore their elders, and that these games will awaken a spirit of optimism and internationalism in the younger generation of Singaporeans.
All the griping - how jaded must you be to not feel proud at that opening ceremony?
Simply love Singapore's trying-to-make-a-difference effort & its showing very very well thru YOG. I'm glad to have been part of it when I did their website back in may 2009.
Children embody our future, how they turn out is the product of the adults in their midst, primarily their parents. Singapore is on the right path towards winning the hearts of these young people. Let them have their special moments, the friends they will make, the precious memories they will bring back. These are priceless gems that no one can deny. Money can be earned back, just look at how much tax revenue the IRs bring each day. But children grow up fast, they cannot wait. by hosting the inaugural Youth Olympics, we give them a vision of what they can be. We merely provide an international platform of friendship for them to do the natural things like games n enjoyment.
The magic is when each athlete goes home n dream of what he or she wants, and can be, n strive for it. And Singapore has been the catalyst. It is an honour for our nation to be part of their growing up memories.
Nice and lovely post Lucian, which also sums up what I feel about the whole event. Like many adults, I was also on the other camp for a period of time until I saw how excited my 6.5 year old son is about YOG, even clamouring me to buy a Lyo or Merly soft toy for him.
There was something inside me which prompted me to take half-day leave to join a group of sweaty teenagers basking in the hot Sun to cheer the YOG flame as it swung by. When I saw the reactions of the students, the teachers, and the retirees on the streets, I knew that this was something that Singapore have to do.
So what if the athletes aren't well known? So what if the tickets to the games are primarily bought by institutions as opposed to individuals? The fact that so many of our young are geared towards this endeavour - sacrificing evenings, weekends and sleep for it - tells us a lot about what this means. And perhaps, as you may have intimated, this could be turning point for us.
Me dares say that yes a few Singaporeans are thrilled to be participating or involved in the YOG.
The euphoria that these few enjoy are going to be very shortlived, some imaginations have got into the dreams of the youngs who dream of themselves in the Main Olympics, Winter, Summer and now the Youth Olmpics. Their supportive parents share the same dreams that one day their children will be a Tiger Wood, a Beckham and a world renowned athlete or sportsman. The reality is, these are one in a many million man and woman.
The other thing Singaporeans must be mindful is that such sports professionals are not all products of the Olympics, many are self made.
In the Case of Sin hosting the YOG, the Locals are more in hosting than competing, the Results of the Singaporeans will leave much disappointment, just wait for it.
Having the YOG at your doorsteps provide the conveniences for the locals to be part of the events, BUT a large portion of the population are being affected in transportations, in their studies, mobilizations to volunteer and of course the amount of money used could have being more meaningfully used to reduce the problems of the poor which our youths are less awared. Many do not even know how difficult it is for their parents to make a living.
For those who think that Singaporean Youths getting a chance to fraternize with foreigners and therefore will be able to widen their knowledges and mix better, please be observant. The locals including our youngs are not mixing well with each others, much of the inhabitants in Sin are individualistic though the World as a whole has shrinked very much in terms of accessibilities, socially and geographically.
YOG does bring some programmes for the locals of which a few are happily participating, however much of the adults are annoyed as they know sports are but a leisure for all and a profession or carreer only for a selected few. When the youths go into the working world, they too will be able to understand the reservation and disinterest the Matured Singaporeans have displayed for the Hosting of the YOG.
patriot
It was exciting to turn the TV on and find that I was watching the highlights of the YOG held in Singapore. As a Singaporean, I feel so much more proud when I see Singapore involved in something so positive on a US channel. It was cool to see the school kids cheering on the athletes. I didnt see any US teams. Were they too proud to be part of this?