Happy 54th BIrthday Singapore

As we mark the 54th year of our independence, my wish for Singapore and her citizens to continue the following below, as a proud and hopeful citizen :

a) Racial Harmony 
Keep it up, the founding fathers of the 1st Generation did something which  we must never take for granted and continue to uphold. Our ancestors came from parts of China, India, Europe and traded, and settled with the Orang Laut or Indigenous people from as early as the 19th century. Our far sighted Government made sure that there would be no enclaves in the public HDB housing and with numerous initiatives to ensure each ethnic group had their collective associations helping the less well off and disadvantaged, they also came together to celebrate each other's festivals and celebrations. Well done. 

b)Meritocracy and Education 
Everyone has a chance at making it good, our schools have given scholarships to every child who deserves it, regardless of race,social standing and financial background. Every school a good school is also something which we can proudly say, Singapore, we are up there with the best education systems in the world. Our schools have attained 1st position in PISA ranking for critical thinking and scores in English, Math and Sciences in the Organizarion for Economic Cooperation and Development (36 developed countries with US, UK, Australia and Canada included).  

c)Safety 
I have travelled many parts of Europe, Africa, US, Australia and Asia.  I can say that our personal safety as a visitor or citizen is never in doubt ; the supposed 'free' countries which Freedom House or Human Rights Watch ranks so highly, well, I think these organizations never walked the streets of Singapore and back lanes and compared them with many of the so called developed nations.

Freedom of personal movement in Singapore without fear of harassment or worse would rank very highly in that category.

d)Infrastructure 
Top marks again. Ease of movement using public transport, one Easylink card can get you across the entire island using the MRT, LRT and public buses all of which are air conditioned and with hardly any breakdowns (OK, MRT still needs to up their reliability !).

e)Food 
Best in the world, with competitive prices and Michelin stars abound. Enough said.

f)Quality of Life 
Our HDB Government flats have a ( for the last 20 years or so) pretty high standard of quality compared to many countries the world over. We have sheltered walkways between blocks and each new block has a mid level car park, the point block also has sheltered walkway to the bus stop. 99 year leases with financial incentives such as purchase rebates or 3 generation families to live close together and encourage intra family bonding. 

Community centres offer sports, recreational and gym membership for a nominal sum, swimming pools are open 365 days a year for $1 per entry.

Excellent ideas and implementation.

That said, lets remind ourselves what our pledge says :

"We the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race,language or religion. To build a democratic society. Based on justice and equality, so as to achieve happiness,prosperity and progress for our nation'. 

Onward Singapore !! 






                        
        

Sometimes you need to let go of good things to improve ; goodbye Helder and Cav

This sounds contradictory but Wolves have loaned out 2 of their excellent strikers Helder Cosra and Ivan Cavaleiro to Fulham and Leeds respectively with the option to sell after one yeat. They both served Wolves tremendously well during their Championship winning days of 2017-18 and then helping Wolves to reach 7th place in 2018-19 season.

I am sad to see their departures as they are both incredibly talented individuals but the manager Nuno has a game plan and we the fans must be patient of this game plan of Nuno's. Running a football club with ambitious owners and with a Profit and Loss objective means that many times, good players need to be sold, if they don't fit into the squad style of play or sometimes to fulfill financial regulations of the Football Association. 

Rather than moan about the loss of a good player, we as fans need to accept that for a team, a club to grow, there will be buying and selling to strengthen the squad to reach even greater heights. 





Well done Helder and Cav! All the best for the future, you are only 22 years of age and your best years are ahead of you !  All the best for both of you at Leeds and at Fulham respectively. 

Being Resolute and Resilient

One of the values I think I try to embody is to be resolute and resilient in challenging times. The world is facing the most uncertain of times and everyday we are bombarded with stories which appall us and while news organizations earn revenue from bad news or even shocking news, I think some good news is always very welcome especially as we are facing headwinds from the very downbeat economic outlook ; Take a look at the world today ; we have the uncertainity of a No Deal Brexit for the UK, the US China Trade Wars, the HK crisis and the Japan S Korea trade spat all do not bode well for an open society like ours. 

I will say this - Push On ; for every crisis this is opportunity knocking at our doorstep ! 

Are we a country of yes men ?

I am aghast that our top marathoner, Soh Rui Yong has been omitted from this year's 2019 SEA games held in November in Manila Philippines. He has been very consistent in his training and spent alot of time and his family's money in training slogging the kms and doing the races all through the 2 years since he won his second SEA Games marathon in Thailand in 2017.

There has been talk of his non compliance with the running association rules such as his cutting holes in his running vest at a regional competition, his public feud with another runner, Ashley Siew at the last SEA games where there was a controversy about the former slowing down for the other competitors (Soh included) as they had taken a wrong turn. Also there was some warning given to Soh about his promotion of sponsors while he is still an amateur. (Correct me if I am wrong). For the record he proudly donned the Singapore colours and won 2 SEA Games Gold medals in 2015 and 2017. He also raced in many overseas meets such as Japan and numerous US meets.

The road to sporting success is long, arduous and full of sacrifices. There was surely tears and sweat and forgoing his social life, the many kms spent overseas in US and Africa to train, waking up at ungodly hours such as 2 am to clock in the 180 - 250 km per week in freezing cold weather. 

The man is probably a maverick, but hey, he is a 2 time SEA Games winner. He has recorded the fastest time ever by a Singaporean (I believe in the Seoul marathon). He runs to the beat of his own drum and sets extremely high standards for himself, his club and his country. 

SNOC will have their reasons, opaquely given in the newspapers as "SA has on several occasions breached the athletics code of conduct". Fair point, but did he cheat, use performance enhancing substances or commit grave fatal errors to cause embarrassment to the athletics community ? The answer is "No" or not that the public knows about.  We are proud of his achievements and what he stands for, a proud Singaporean donning the colours of his country. To omit him from his pet event when he is the fastest competitor by far based on recent records is frankly, childish. 

If Bruce Lee quietly followed his Wing Chun master and toed the line, he would be just one of many instructors of Wing Chun. If Jimi Hendrix used riffs from any of the past masters of the electric guitar and never implement his won style of playing (including teeth, behind the back) he would never brought electric guitar rock music to those great heights. Hendrix was his own genius, an out of this world performer. 

Great artistes and competitors are great because they have learnt the rules, they have mastered the rules and yes they rewrite the rules.  

I think this move is only reinforcing many of our citizens views that to represent the country in sport of in the public sector, we must comply and be 'yes' men. The only way is the way as directed from the top and nothing else. That will only lead to incremental improvement at the very best and a decline in overall standards the more likely outcome. 

Its sad to see this turn of events for a country which is supposedly First World.  Its time the administrators and the officials take some calculated risks for the betterment of the sport, else it will alsways be the "Two Steps Forward, One Step Backward and March on the Spot"

What a Pity. 

   

Wolves Goal of the Season Nominees - I can't decide they are all good.

Against Cardiff the goal was a stupendous display of one touch football leaving the opposing side totally ball watching and that was a fantastic team effort which culminated in Jota smashing home the first goal.

Perhaps that one takes my choice.  

Shiho Kosokun Shito Ryu

Kata in Japanese means 'form' so it is essential for every karateka or exponent to practice ever so often the form meant to be executed during his training and this can form the basis for his kumite or free sparring and self defence as and when necessary. Self defence is as is stated is defence of one self if there is an incidence whereby one has to choose between 'fight or flight' scenario.   

This is one of the 3rd Dan Katas which I have learnt and am refreshing from time to time. It combines all the katas from the earlier Kyus into one beautiful form.

I encourage all to practice some form of martial art  or even breathing exercises and poses like Yoga  which combines both respect for culture, every individual and to have harmony with society so that they can fully understand their Ikigai or Raison Dete.  

Shito Ryu Matsu Kaze Kata - a Repost