- Joined
- Feb 11, 2014
- Messages
- 106
- Points
- 0
Derek da Cunha (14 Aug)
The upsurge of national pride at Joseph Schooling’s Olympic feat has been spontaneous and instinctive. He has come from among us, his fellow Singaporeans. And when his backstory emerged, including the sacrifices made by his parents, the feeling got even better.
If the remark some years back by South African human rights campaigner, Albie Sachs, that in Singapore we “have everything, except a soul” were true, then it has not been very apparent this weekend. The Singapore soul or spirit is what will keep Singapore cohesive even when the country hits the inevitable rough patches. It is something that cannot be manufactured or bought off-the-shelf.
The local boy or girl who reaches the highest pinnacle of achievement internationally in not just sports but in many other fields, is the inspiration for the nation to keep its collective national spirit buoyant. Singaporeans know they have the talent that can be truly world class. There just needs to be a concerted effort to nurture and incentivize that talent so that it attains its greatest potential. And a mindset change by the political leaders will set all of this in train.
The upsurge of national pride at Joseph Schooling’s Olympic feat has been spontaneous and instinctive. He has come from among us, his fellow Singaporeans. And when his backstory emerged, including the sacrifices made by his parents, the feeling got even better.
If the remark some years back by South African human rights campaigner, Albie Sachs, that in Singapore we “have everything, except a soul” were true, then it has not been very apparent this weekend. The Singapore soul or spirit is what will keep Singapore cohesive even when the country hits the inevitable rough patches. It is something that cannot be manufactured or bought off-the-shelf.
The local boy or girl who reaches the highest pinnacle of achievement internationally in not just sports but in many other fields, is the inspiration for the nation to keep its collective national spirit buoyant. Singaporeans know they have the talent that can be truly world class. There just needs to be a concerted effort to nurture and incentivize that talent so that it attains its greatest potential. And a mindset change by the political leaders will set all of this in train.