NSG : The importance of Sport in developing the resilience of character
(Photo of SCGS by Chia Han Keong)
By Sherman Yong
Troubled by COVID-19 developments, the 2021 National School Games (NSG) was forced to be suspended (on 8 May) after almost six weeks of action at various schools islandwide. With the immediate future looking uncertain for the local sports scene, many school teams and individuals wonder if their training has been for naught - since the suspension of remaining school games, ostensibly deprives them of their cause to train and compete for the top position among peers.
These accomplishments however, can only capture the tangible outcomes that the student-athletes have accumulated over the course of their training. Instead, other nuances often occur behind-the-scenes in their daily lives. This, as different individuals come together to train, bond, and ultimately forge meaningful experiences that are unique and often transcend beyond the competition itself.
(Photo Credit: Bendemeer Primary School) Celebratory photo after clinching the championships at NSG 2021 National Senior Division
Having Sepak Takraw training every Wednesday and Friday, Wang Yi Ming recalled that “it was quite challenging for me to control the ball initially. But I became more proficient after much hard work when I trained together with my team.”
The Primary 6 student-athlete from Bendemeer Primary School further added " I enjoy training with my teammates to better my skills in preparation for the competitions. Sometimes, I meet some of my teammates to train at the court near my house in the evenings too. Without them, I might have given up half way and not have come this far".
(Photo Credit: Singapore Chinese Girls' School)
Reaching across generations, these sentiments are also shared by Mrs Fu Shin Yee - the current teacher in-charge for the Tennis girls in Singapore Chinese Girls' School (SCGS). Being an alumna from SCGS, Mrs Fu mentioned that she possessed a “great deal of school pride” and this provided her with an “added drive” when she took charge of the Tennis girls four months prior.
“There was a lot at stake this year because the team has so much potential to do very well in this NSG. Such opportunities do not come often and it was very important for me to ensure the students were given the support and guidance necessary to do their best,” Mrs Fu further commented.
(Photo of SCGS by Chia Han Keong)
Simultaneously, the teacher I/C firmly believes that while the outcome in sport is most visible to people, the “process of training and working together in a team holds a lot more value.”
Mrs Fu also said, “Through the process, athletes grow, not just in physical toughness and skills, but also in character and value. Sports therefore also bring out the best and sometimes, the worst in people. However, I believe that when we help direct and harness the energies and emotions of our students and shape them through teaching and encouraging them, we help bring out their best.”
(Photo Credit: Singapore Golf Association)
To this end, the parents of these student-athletes also provide a pivotal perspective in witnessing the growth of their children through sports. Particularly, Mr Eng CT, the proud father of Eng Wei Jin from Singapore Sports School (SSP), recounts the challenges that his son experienced during his golf training.
“He was too small-built compared to his peers. Often, he was mocked by fellow golfers for being too small and not suitable for the game and this continued until he was in Secondary 4 when his puberty finally started.” Since then, Mr Eng was no longer as worried, since Wei Jin is now “able to match his peers.”
(Photo Credit: 2019 National School Games)
When prompted to comment on the benefits of sports for his children, the father had this to say.
“As a parent we do encourage our child to engage in sports of his choice, this will help him to grow and acquire necessary skill sets which are not able to be learnt from the text books. Especially golf, as this sport is often played by adults and by mixing with these demographics of golfers, he learns from life experiences in comparison to sports he plays with his peers of the same age. And my advice to Wei Jin is to continue to work hard and enjoy the game, continue his dreams and follow his heart.”
SportSG would like to thank the various school principals, students, teachers and parents from Bendemeer Primary School, SCGS and Sports School, for their kind assistance and responses towards the e-mail interview. This article would not have been possible without their invaluable input and comments.
Sherman is currently in his final year at the National University of Singapore. He had occasionally dabbled in sports such as Handball and Touch Rugby during his freshman days, but unfortunately he wasn't very good at it. Apart from keeping up with sports news, Sherman likes to dance and listen to music during his free time. If he's not cooped up at home thinking of the next potential story to write, you'll most likely see him around in vacant car parks practicing his dance moves. For what purpose? He does not know.
Related Articles
Related Topics
Related Events & Programmes
Related Articles
Related Topics
Related Articles
View AllRelated Topics
[BlogPost 162233592997 Gritty Lions Suffer Loss to China, BlogPost 162089384371 On Your Mark, Get Ready, Go Running, BlogPost 161670652697 Lions' Excellent Showing Against China, BlogPost 161435270031 Ogura Optimistic for Exciting Clash against China, BlogPost 161127614758 The Future of Basketball in Singapore: Why 3x3 is Here to Stay, BlogPost 161033673012 The Active Lifestyler's Guide to the New ActiveSG Delta Sport Centre, BlogPost 161128356680 Grand New Champions Crowned at WTT Singapore Smash 2024, BlogPost 160844835218 NSG 2024 Table Tennis: C Div Boys Pool Round, BlogPost 160210745115 NSG 2024 Basketball: Senior Div Girls Tampines Primary School vs Frontier Primary School, BlogPost 159881180544 Whirlwind Return to Women's Football, BlogPost 159633541417 Singapore Smash to Elevate a New Legacy, BlogPost 158983580420 NSG 2024 Rugby: B Div Damai Secondary School vs Peirce Secondary School, BlogPost 159003960202 SFA Fiesta: Kicking off 2024 to a Roaring Start, BlogPost 158830735126 NSG 2024 Football: B Div Girls Preliminary Round Meridian Secondary School VS Bowen Secondary School, BlogPost 158536989718 Team Nila Volunteers Recognized At Awards Ceremony, BlogPost 158270107806 NSG 2024 Hockey: B Div Boys Preliminary Round Raffles Institution VS St. Hilda Secondary School, BlogPost 157966862615 NSG 2024 Floorball: B Division Preliminary Rounds Kick Off!, BlogPost 157562433712 What Is Safe Sport?, BlogPost 157559446197 Sengkang Secondary: Cultivating Well-Rounded Footballers, BlogPost 157368261167 New National Training Centre for Cricket at West Coast Ground, BlogPost 155340164987 Active Ageing with Joey Bonifacio, BlogPost 155930815517 Inaugural Singapore Youth League kicks off from 24th February 2024, BlogPost 155340164727 Bukit Canberra : the Coolest Spot in the North, BlogPost 155368905255 How Padang Fandi Inspired Ayden to Chase his Dream, BlogPost 154755572826 Ageing Backwards with Elizabeth Cheang, BlogPost 154094657315 Running For Fitness, BlogPost 153318636178 Excitement Builds for FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024, BlogPost 153198644247 World's Top Four Confirmed for 2024 HSBC Women's World Championship, BlogPost 149413941770 Cultivating Your Kids’ Interest in the Outdoors, BlogPost 149413941163 Making Sport More Appealing for Our Kids, BlogPost 149412549409 Solo Or Team Sport – Choosing the Best for Your Child, BlogPost 151197478798 Former Lions Stalwart Baihakki Khaizan Sheds Light on New Accreditation to Elevate Grassroots Football and Youth Development, BlogPost 80703591291 New Year, Fitter You! Here are the top 3 workouts for the New Year, BlogPost 81171151456 7 Reasons Why Sports are Great for Children’s Mental Health, BlogPost 80542065330 17 Best Yoga Classes & Studios in Singapore [+ Rating & Prices], BlogPost 149404351798 From Brush to Lens: A Student's Journey in the World of Art and Sports Photography, BlogPost 149402825063 The Benefits of Active Parenting, BlogPost 149397832009 Sweden Claim 9th Straight Gold at the Women's World Floorball Championship, BlogPost 149397831449 Lion City Sailors Win 2023 Singapore Cup, BlogPost 148511324266 Pitch Perfect with Jonathan Teo, BlogPost 148511724402 Seniors: Increase your flexibility bit by bit with these stretches, BlogPost 147866574167 A Valuable Experience In Spain for Singapore's National Development Centre U-14 Boys, BlogPost 146915317264 How one magical Kallang night changed the lives of Abirami and Daania forever, BlogPost 80700409988 Strength Training for Seniors, BlogPost 137536455174 Age Gracefully, Start Strength Training, BlogPost 145856643584 FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers: Singapore vs Korea Republic, BlogPost 144608971564 ActiveSG Football Academy sets up centralised development centres to broaden base for young players, BlogPost 144605361831 Hafiz Osman & sons' love affair with the beautiful game, BlogPost 137536455236 The Golden Years, BlogPost 142676085686 Singapore crowned Mirxes Nations Cup 2023 Champions!]