Olympics Sportsman I Admire...

Well, it is not Feng Tianwei that had clinched bronze in Table Tennis (as usual sport that we do better in due to players from another nation that converted their citizenship to Singapore citizen-Singaporeans should know what I mean). The hero here is not from my country sad to say, but he is from my neighbouring country- Malaysia. He is Lee Chong Wei now known as Dato Lee Chong Wei. The current world's second best player in badminton (after him being defeated by China's Lin Dan).

Although, in many ways, Singaporeans or Singapore may appear to be better off - in terms of financially, politically, technologically, safety and stability than many Asean countries. There are areas where we are insufficient or lacking behind. I would say in terms of sports, we are lacking in national pride. We Singaporeans can ignorantly and happily declared we won medals in the Olympic but deep down do you Singaporeans really believe and feel that we have won as a nation? Having players that are breed elsewhere and studied here and changed their citizenship - but in their hearts they really feel they are Singaporeans like one of us? Then why would she be throwing flowers at China fans? Em...like awkward
('- ' )"?
Feng Tianwei throwing flowers at PRC fans credit TheTemasek Times

The moral of the story:
  • Money can buy you players, but not their hearts
  • Even they are Singaporeans on paper, but their hearts is still closer to their homeland (the real one)
  • Winning to the players is a personal pride and not out of the need to make Singapore proud
What is national pride?
It is what our neighbour Malaysia has. Their national pride is Lee Chong Wei, born in Malaysia , grew up there and wants to make himself and his own country proud. See the difference it is not like a transaction that resembles Singapore's case - buy and make the player Singaporean and have them play for the country and win medals (give money - get medal). Our fellow neighbours could stand tall and sing along their national anthemn and seeing Malaysian's flag fly high. (Don't even know if our players know our Majulah Singapura anot?) When there is a player like this it just bonds the country closer - fellow Malaysians together sitting in front of their TVs cheering for their national player. Every point win or loss brings their hearts and emotions up and down the hill.

Sportsmanship?
If you ever see Dato Lee play his games, you can feel his passion and love for the sport. His urge to win,win for his title and country! You can really see how hard he pushed himself despite old injuries he had. It is just a very touching moment and despite me not being a Malaysian citizen, seeing him just make me feel proud and happy to see an Asian neighbour to be able to shine and soar on a foreign land - giving his very best and everything in his games.

Feel kinda of sad that this will be the last game for Lee Chong Wei. Looking forward to see more outstanding badmintion players from Malaysia since this is their national sport (“The way every kid in England plays football, every kid in Malaysia plays badminton.” quoted Rory Tan from article by New York Times "In Battle Between Longtime Rivals, More Than One Gold Is in Offing:)

I think I might feel more proud to have our Singaporeans born and breed here to come back trying their best with no medals then medals we so called won right now...haiz..
Singapore I hope we can discover our national sport and have local talented sportsman playing for the country where one day I could say it loud and proud that "we have won!"

Here's my very own hero
Photo credits to the star online

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