YES NO?
<strong>Do we want foreign-born winners? The heroics of our table-tennis girls have again raised the question of foreign talent here. We speak to 64 S'poreans</strong>
<strong>By Maureen Koh</strong>
<p><p><p> EMBRACE all who can help us compete in world-class leagues - never mind if they are born in Singapore or abroad, I say.</p><p><p><p> However, a few Singaporeans we interviewed yesterday disagreed.</p><p><p><p> Having 'Singapore blood' is important, said Mr Alex Tan. He believes that even if Singapore had won the gold medal last night, there is no reason to feel any pride.</p><p><p><p> 'The true Singapore blood does not flow in any of the three players,' declared Mr Tan, 26, who helps run his family's fruit shop in Ang Mo Kio.</p><p><p><p> But what is 'Singapore blood'? Is it the blood of parents who are both Singaporeans that is passed to their children?</p><p><p><p> Or is it the passion one feels for the country, flowing through our veins?</p><p><p><p> If the latter, then surely foreigners too can acquire attachment and loyalty to Singapore over time. They too might learn to love Singapore dearly.</p><p><p><p> For this reason, we should embrace foreigners as they help us to join world-class leagues. They put us in the finals of Olympic competitions.</p><p><p><p> Mr Tan argued: 'I'd accept it if the coach is from China and he trained a winner who is a true-blue Singaporean.'</p><p><p><p> Mr Nick Do, 30, a senior assistant engineer, begs to differ, like 9 in 10 of those interviewed.</p><p><p><p> 'As long as the players know in their hearts that they represent Singapore, the origin of their nationality should not matter,' he said.</p><p><p><p> Mr Alan Chong, 29, an export officer said: 'Where they are from is not important, it's who they are now, and who they're playing for. They have given up their former nationality and have become Singaporeans.</p><p><p><p> 'If they can take us to world class standards, why do we belittle their worth?'</p><p><p><p> Their drive to succeed for their adopted country is what counts for the majority.</p><p><p><p> Get past the mental barrier, said Ms Helen Yeo. She argues that we should be proud that 'this little red dot has made a mark on the world competition map.'</p><p><p><p> If we keep clinging to old ideas, we'll forever be playing in a kampung league, she said.<p><p><hr width='50%' size='1'></p><p><p>'They have accepted it, so why can't we? Must we keep harping on the fact they were not born here?'</p><p><p> - <b>Ms Phoebe Lee, 40, quality assurance officer</b></p><p><p> 'The most important thing is, Singapore has won a medal after 48 years.'</p><p><p> -<b> Mr Poh Ghim Seng, 54</b></p><p><p> 'It's been so long, does it matter? The girls are going all out to win a medal for Singapore.'</p><p><p> - <b>Miss Cathefrina Chee, 28, administrative assistant</b> </p><p><p> 'We have to start somewhere and since we don't have the talent now, it's okay to depend on others. But we should not think that money can buy medals.'</p><p><p> - <b>Mr Harry Chang, 32, swimming instructor</b></p><p><p> 'China has so many talented players. The players know that if they want to make it, they have to leave the country. </p><p><p> - <b>Miss Jael Teo, 30, teacher</b></p><p><p> 'They deserve respect for bringing back an Olympic medal.'</p><p><p> -<b> Mr Tan Jia Hui, 18</b></p><p><p> 'It's definitely fine if having 'imported players' means we can improve our national standard for now. It'll only become unacceptable if we continue to use 'imported players' as a tool to winning.'</p><p><p> - <b>Mr Ming Hui, 20, full-time national serviceman</b></p><p><p> 'If anything should bother us, it's how they play the game - whether they did it with their full commitment or not.'</p><p><p> - <b>Mr Andy Ding, 26, an airforce officer</b></p><p><p> 'If Yao Ming can play for the US in the NBA, why can't these girls play for us?'</p><p><p> - <b>Mr Oh Boon Lee, 30, construction supervisor </b>
<strong>Do we want foreign-born winners? The heroics of our table-tennis girls have again raised the question of foreign talent here. We speak to 64 S'poreans</strong>
<strong>By Maureen Koh</strong>
<p><p><p> EMBRACE all who can help us compete in world-class leagues - never mind if they are born in Singapore or abroad, I say.</p><p><p><p> However, a few Singaporeans we interviewed yesterday disagreed.</p><p><p><p> Having 'Singapore blood' is important, said Mr Alex Tan. He believes that even if Singapore had won the gold medal last night, there is no reason to feel any pride.</p><p><p><p> 'The true Singapore blood does not flow in any of the three players,' declared Mr Tan, 26, who helps run his family's fruit shop in Ang Mo Kio.</p><p><p><p> But what is 'Singapore blood'? Is it the blood of parents who are both Singaporeans that is passed to their children?</p><p><p><p> Or is it the passion one feels for the country, flowing through our veins?</p><p><p><p> If the latter, then surely foreigners too can acquire attachment and loyalty to Singapore over time. They too might learn to love Singapore dearly.</p><p><p><p> For this reason, we should embrace foreigners as they help us to join world-class leagues. They put us in the finals of Olympic competitions.</p><p><p><p> Mr Tan argued: 'I'd accept it if the coach is from China and he trained a winner who is a true-blue Singaporean.'</p><p><p><p> Mr Nick Do, 30, a senior assistant engineer, begs to differ, like 9 in 10 of those interviewed.</p><p><p><p> 'As long as the players know in their hearts that they represent Singapore, the origin of their nationality should not matter,' he said.</p><p><p><p> Mr Alan Chong, 29, an export officer said: 'Where they are from is not important, it's who they are now, and who they're playing for. They have given up their former nationality and have become Singaporeans.</p><p><p><p> 'If they can take us to world class standards, why do we belittle their worth?'</p><p><p><p> Their drive to succeed for their adopted country is what counts for the majority.</p><p><p><p> Get past the mental barrier, said Ms Helen Yeo. She argues that we should be proud that 'this little red dot has made a mark on the world competition map.'</p><p><p><p> If we keep clinging to old ideas, we'll forever be playing in a kampung league, she said.<p><p><hr width='50%' size='1'></p><p><p>'They have accepted it, so why can't we? Must we keep harping on the fact they were not born here?'</p><p><p> - <b>Ms Phoebe Lee, 40, quality assurance officer</b></p><p><p> 'The most important thing is, Singapore has won a medal after 48 years.'</p><p><p> -<b> Mr Poh Ghim Seng, 54</b></p><p><p> 'It's been so long, does it matter? The girls are going all out to win a medal for Singapore.'</p><p><p> - <b>Miss Cathefrina Chee, 28, administrative assistant</b> </p><p><p> 'We have to start somewhere and since we don't have the talent now, it's okay to depend on others. But we should not think that money can buy medals.'</p><p><p> - <b>Mr Harry Chang, 32, swimming instructor</b></p><p><p> 'China has so many talented players. The players know that if they want to make it, they have to leave the country. </p><p><p> - <b>Miss Jael Teo, 30, teacher</b></p><p><p> 'They deserve respect for bringing back an Olympic medal.'</p><p><p> -<b> Mr Tan Jia Hui, 18</b></p><p><p> 'It's definitely fine if having 'imported players' means we can improve our national standard for now. It'll only become unacceptable if we continue to use 'imported players' as a tool to winning.'</p><p><p> - <b>Mr Ming Hui, 20, full-time national serviceman</b></p><p><p> 'If anything should bother us, it's how they play the game - whether they did it with their full commitment or not.'</p><p><p> - <b>Mr Andy Ding, 26, an airforce officer</b></p><p><p> 'If Yao Ming can play for the US in the NBA, why can't these girls play for us?'</p><p><p> - <b>Mr Oh Boon Lee, 30, construction supervisor </b>
