The Singapore water polo team - Trunk design gone too far?

[/ASIA\]

Trunk design gone too far?

Photos are courtesy of The Straits Times
The Straits Times/ANN
Published Nov 24 2010

The Singapore water polo team at the 2010 Asian Games are caught in a swimwear controversy - no thanks to their custom-made swimming trunks which feature the Singapore flag's crescent moon and stars near the groin area.

It is courting controversy now as the trunks - designed by themselves - feature the Singapore flag displayed prominently, especially at the front. Previously, the water polo team would wear plain black trunks.

However, the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Act states that approval must be sought from the Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts to use the flag as part of any costume or attire, provided there is 'no disrespect'.

Anyone found guilty of misusing the flag can be fined up to a maximum of S$1,000. When contacted by The Straits Times, a spokesman from the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts said they were preparing a statement.

 

[GoldenDragon]

They will be given a police warning in lieu of court prosecution. Bet on it.

 

[sufferwell]

looks like WWF underwear..
the designer all along wanted a white dick, so there you have it..

 

[vamjok]

i love this design, what's the issue?

 

[neddy]

Trunk design gone too far?

Just dun pee or shit in the flag.

 

[exSINgaporean]

[See what is written on their head...."SIN"


Lucky Singaporea is not "SEXgapura".

 

[SneeringTree]

This is nothing compared to what PAP has done to Singapore, our pledge and our flag. At least the ones wearing these are true blue Singaporeans who would not sell the country out!

 

[Ash007]

Whats the big issue? People over here wear the flag on their trunks all the time. Some are even proud of it.

 

[mako65]

This shows that they are standing up for their country, in the pool n on the bed! Haha..

 

[rodent2005]

Whats the big issue? People over here wear the flag on their trunks all the time. Some are even proud of it.

The big issue is the PAP is only good at coming up with antiquated laws and whacking Singaporeans.

 

[bodycells]

Anyone found guilty of misusing the flag can be fined up to a maximum of S$1,000.

I just do not understand the sinkie behavior and thinking, why the hell is this statement necessary? EVery instance need to use fine and fear against its own people. So the stupid sinkies vote for someone to put fear on them? What kind of living is this?

 

[streetsmart73]

hi there

1. aiyoh!
2. what a big deal man.
3. just some sports attire featuring guys with two pricks loh!
4. one hidden, the other exposed mah.
5. come on! move on sheep.
6. wait until the team win something, then the tune changes instantly too.
7. by then, more pricks welcome.

 

[angrycowboy]

erection coming???

 

[Ramseth]

Exactly, Union Jack and Star-Spangled Banner have been used for bikinis and underwears for decades. What's the problem?

Whats the big issue? People over here wear the flag on their trunks all the time. Some are even proud of it.

 

[butoh6050]

I just do not understand the sinkie behavior and thinking, why the hell is this statement necessary? EVery instance need to use fine and fear against its own people. So the stupid sinkies vote for someone to put fear on them? What kind of living is this?

That is one of the reasons not many want to hang the flag leading up to national day. If it's dirty or soiled, you can be fined. If your neighbor sabo you, also kena.

 

[Equalisation]

This shows that they are standing up for their country, in the pool n on the bed! Haha..

Hehehe ... reminds me when I was younger at the swimming pool, cock stand and dare not come out of pool because of the bulge, must wait for turun senjata first before come out of water ....:o:o:o

 

[Zhu Rong]

Swim trunks inappropriate


Nov 25, 2010

SWIMWEAR CONTROVERSY
Swim trunks inappropriate

By Frankie Chee

Govt's response to swim trunks

In response to media queries, Ms Carol Tan, Director of Resilience and Marketing Division, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, issued this statement on Wednesday night:.

'Unfortunately, the team did not seek our advice on the use of the crescent moon and stars when they designed their swim trunks. We would have told them that their design is inappropriate as we want elements of the Flag to be treated with dignity. This is because many Singaporeans recognise these elements as representing the Singapore Flag.

We have spoken with SSC and was informed that the team is apologetic and had meant no disrespect. We understand that under competition rules, they may have difficulty switching to another set of trunks for their match tomorrow.We wish them well and hope that they will do Singapore proud tomorrow'.

The Singapore water polo team wearing flag-themed swimming trunks in Guangzhou. -- PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS COUNCIL

THE design of the swimming trunks worn by the Singapore men's water polo team at the Asian Games is 'inappropriate', but the players will wear it for at least one more match. The apparel - featuring the Singapore flag's crescent moon and five stars on the front, and the word Singapore on the back - were designed by the players just for Guangzhou 2010 and were meant to be eye-catching.

Unfortunately, it has also raised eyebrows. 'Disgusting', 'nauseating', 'disgraceful' and 'disrespectful' were some of the remarks made by upset netizens on The Straits Times' online forum. The issue is over the 'suggestive' positioning of the crescent moon over the crotch. Chief financial officer Lim Seng Choon, 40, said: 'It looks a bit obscene and awkward.'

The Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts (Mica), which governs the use of the national flag, revealed yesterday that the team did not seek its advice or approval for the design.

 

[Zhu Rong]

Mixed reviews for polo trunks


Nov 24, 2010

Mixed reviews for polo trunks

SINGAPORE'S water polo boys and their swimming trunks have drawn diverse reactions, looking at posts from the Straits Times Online discussion board. Some feel that there is nothing wrong with the design. jiemin83 said: 'I think it is a nice and striking design.' MamalingamSanjeev feels that 'we should be proud of the design and the boys'.

Others, however, felt that it was done in poor taste. itchibun thought it represented a 'sign of disrepect to our national flag'. gowherenow wrote: 'It's not so much an issue of law as taste', and comparing to flag-incorporated designs flaunted by the United States and Australia, said that 'the Singapore version is nauseating.'

Several who chose to see the funny side of things followed up with inneundos. Thegreyguy said the design was 'a very in-the-face-way of telling Singaporeans to have more children'.

 

[ThePlen]

lets see if speedo starts making all their trunks this way

 

[Spock]

This is to provide the visual cue to the supporters to start singing the song "Stand Up for Singapore" with more gusto.