Author Archive for Low Lin Fhoong

Who says our seniors have no game? Retiree Tan Kok Sing, 86, plays basketball with his friends at Blk 95 Henderson Road every morning, and rounds up the week with a Sunday jog from his home to Sentosa with a group of 50.

Catch Mr Tan and his basketball buddies in action at http://www.vision2030.sg/topic/seniors and share your views on how to get more senior citizens involved in dribbling, running and jumping their way to good health. It’s all part of Vision 2030 – a Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports initiative to get more Singaporeans to play sports in school, the community and workplace.

Love the jump shot, and the specs, Mr Tan.

All too often the lament from local fans centred on the poor quality and lack of excitement in Singapore football and the S-League. Too often players fought battles in near-empty stadiums, as fans stayed glued to English Premier League action on their television sets.

Nostalgia proved hard to overcome, with many speaking fondly of V Sundramoorthy’s famous bicycle kick, Fandi Ahmad’s silky skills and the joy of the Lions’ first Malaysia Cup win in 14 years in 1994.

The powers that be on both sides of the Causeway finally took heed, as Malaysia welcomed us back to the Malaysian Super League (MSL) after a 17-year absence.

And Singapore called on its 12^th man to commit, naming the new outfit the LionsXII.

Some 7,200 red-shirted fans answered the call on January 10, electrifying the Jalan Besar Stadium with their war cries, jeers and horns. And the LionsXII-Kelantan match delivered almost everything a die-hard fan could have asked for – grit, goals and controversy.

Sure, the LionsXII were beaten 2-1 in their opening game, and the bite was missing in attack with just Agu Casmir on the prowl. But the first 11 were certainly not lacking in heart. January 10 was not just a special moment for the fans, and the joy on former national defender Baihakki Khaizan’s face was unmistakable as he celebrated his 33^rd-minute header in the King George’s stands, surrounded by ecstatic supporters.

For many of the young footballers like 21-year-old midfielder Hariss Harun and Safuwan Baharudin, witnessing the fervour and celebrity firsthand was just as special. I spoke to Hariss a day after the match, and the vice-captain was clearly disappointed with their loss, apologising to fans who had turned out to support the team.

The LionsXII notched their first point days later, holding out for a 1-1 draw against Kedah at the Darul Aman in Alor Star on Saturday.

Tickets to Tuesday’s home game against Kuala Lumpur are selling fast, and I don’t doubt that the fans will be behind the LionsXII again, roaring their support while the Kallang Wave surfs through the stadium.

But Singapore supporters can sometimes be a fickle lot, especially when their team fails to deliver the goods. Some are still waiting to see how the team performs, before sinking their money and hearts into the LionsXII.

The LionsXII are still a work in progress, and while we hope that they find their feet (and fangs) soon, let’s hope that the fans and fraternity stayed hooked, hungry and always back for more.

It’s going to be a long season, and the 12^th man has to be on board.

Singaporean shooters Cassandra Soh and Chen Huifen in action against Fiji. Photo courtesy of Netball Singapore

They may not have won the title, but Singapore’s national netballers were still the toast of the fraternity after finishing runners-up at the Fairprice Foundation Nations Cup 2011 on Sunday. Because it was battle to relish for many of the squad and fans at Toa Payoh Sports Hall, as the team – ranked world No 21 – put up an explosive show against the higher ranked Fijians (No 7) before losing 51-42 in the final.

Many will remember the teams’ encounter at the Mission Foods World Netball Championships in July, where Singapore suffered a heartbreaking 57-47 loss in extra-time after failing to capitalise on a one-point lead in regulation time.

This time around, the Singapore side boasted three rookies (Chen Li Li, Shelby Koh, and Yu Meiling), and a revamped line-up with new faces Meiling, Charmaine Soh and Cassandra Soh in the circle, Li Li in defence, and Shelby and Nurul Baizura getting their runs in mid-court.

And the young women – who boast an average age of 20 – stood tall among their senior teammates, delivering solid performances on court in five group games against reigning Asian champions Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Namibia, Fiji and Malaysia, and in the final against Fiji.

More importantly, the fresh faces hinted of promising times ahead for Singapore netball, who have not tasted success at the Nations Cup since its second title win in 2007. Hampered by injuries and retirements, the netballers finished last in 2008, fifth a year later and fourth in 2010. At the world championships, they failed to meet their top 12 target after finishing 15^th out of 16 teams at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Wrestling the title of Asia’s best team from Sri Lanka is definitely top on the team’s mind after finally neutralising the towering threat of 2.06-metre tall goal shooter Tharjini Sivalingam. But let’s not stop in the region. Qualifying for a spot to compete against top nations Australia and New Zealand in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 will be worth celebrating after missing out on New Delhi last year, and perhaps, a chance to wow the home crowd when the Republic hosts the SEA Games in 2015. Netball may not be a regular on the SEA Games calendar, but it was featured at the 2001 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur where the hosts won the gold medal after beating Singapore.

What does the future hold for Singapore netball? It remains to be seen if the youngsters will match-up to their international rivals, but it’s looking to be an interesting ride for now.

If you think getting stuck in a three-hour traffic jam in Bangkok is bad, try spending 45min in the steaming Jakarta traffic trying to crawl all of 3km.

It’s been 10 days since the TODAY team landed in Jakarta for the 26th SEA Games, and it’s been a rollercoaster ride – at the standard city speed of 5km/hr – for us here in one of the region’s busiest cities.

Poor internet connectivity, lack of information, and transportation issues have been a bugbear for many of the foreign media gathered here to cover the Games. But once in a while, a good bowl of bakso mie or a trip out to the wilderness for canoeing helps the journey along.

Here’re some photos from our adventure so far. Continue reading ‘At the SEA Games’

One wore a stoic expression each time she was spotted – on the court, in media interviews, outside the hall with autograph-hungry fans. The other, younger in years, wore her cherubic grin like a champion as she lifted her first Women’s World Cup trophy here in Singapore.

On court, world No 1 Li Xiaoxia is the superior athlete – technically brilliant, aggressive, and deadly at the table. Ding Ning, 21, on the other hand, is one for the big occasion after claiming the world championships singles crown in Rotterdam and last weekend’s world cup. And she beat her teammate Li at both events.

Outside the world class action of smashes, rallies and top spin, what truly captivated the audience of ping pong fans and media alike was Ding Ning’s winning personality. She talks a mile a minute, but pauses to provide thoughtful answers to questions. Li, the world No 1, however, is stocked up on standard FAQ replies, and her no-nonsense attitude does remind one of badminton’s female world No 1 Wang Shixian, who riled reporters at this year’s Singapore Open with her sully, uninterested responses at a press conference.

No doubt some of that irritation stems from having to answer the same questions repeatedly, which athletes complain about. But every question on performance, target and achievements is also directed at Tiger Woods, Ian Thorpe and Formula 1 speedster Sebastian Vettel.

Golf’s former world No 1 Woods is languishing at 56th now, having endured a knee injury and a very public divorce after scandals involving several women. He is not known to be the friendliest or engaging of golf’s superstars – unlike the well-loved Phil Mickelson – but Woods was affable, entertaining and professional in his six-minute long interview with local and international media during his 48-hour stopover in Singapore this week ahead of the Presidents Cup in Melbourne.

The same goes for swimmer Ian Thorpe, an Aussie legend who commands respect and attention both in and out of the pool.

Owning the tag of world’s best inevitably comes with a responsibility to the sport. Ambassadors have to engage people because they are the face of golf, tennis, table tennis or badminton, and an engaging superstar is what draws in sponsors, television revenue, and eyeballs – all crucial to allowing them to continue doing what they love, professionally. American swimmer Michael Phelps understands this, as do Kobe Bryant and tennis stars Nadal, Roger Federer and Li Na.

International table tennis chief Adham Sharara admitted early this week that the Pro Tour circuit was lagging behind tennis, which began in 1961. Badminton’s super series events also boast more prize money and bigger stadiums packed with spectators.

Perhaps its paddlers need to do more to take ping pong beyond the table. It is a beautiful game – one that will captivate if we are witness to the emotion, heartbreak, joy, friendship and rivalries behind the masters/mistresses who wield the bats.