Musings: When the lights went off

Nicol David was recently in town for the inaugural Women’s CIMB Singapore Masters. That sparked off conversations on the match which Wah Siew had against Nicol David in the Asian Squash Junior Circuit Grand Final way back in November 1998. Wah Siew was leading 8-6 in the first game when there was a power trip. After the lights came on, the match took a different turn. That was probably the closest anyone had gone to take a game off Nicol David that year. Nicol went on to win the World Junior title in 1999 and repeated the feat in 2000.

We can only imagine what could have happened if the lights had not gone off. Maybe Wah Siew would have maintained her focus and momentum to win the first game. Who knows … But even reaching 8 points against Nicol was no trivial task. Wah Siew demonstrated the level of performance one is capable of. This is a good testament of the potential of our local athletes to perform and compete at international levels.

And we know it is not about talent. No offence intended but Wah Siew was never considered a sporting talent. But yet, Wah Siew reached a certain “zone” in that first game to give Nicol a good fight. That required a certain amount of work and she sure would need a lot more hard work to be able to maintain that level of performance for the entire match. So perhaps we should be asking ourselves how we could sustain and repeat that high level of performance. How could we best structure our system to bring about that desired result?

I believe it was in the following year that Wah Siew tore her ACL during the semi-finals against Joanne Yue in the Nationals Open. She was leading when she suddenly collapsed onto the floor. She went through an operation and it took her about 2 years before she could compete again, but even then not in full swing. Again, we ask ourselves whether there should be a more advanced system in preventing and treating injuries in Singapore. We should not be losing potential National Champions like that.

Eventually, I suppose Wah Siew decided to stop playing sometime after she started working. I do not take the liberty to discuss her decision. It’s a story for her to tell. But I have to point out that she played squash while doing her medical studies in NUS. Who says one cannot balance sports and school at the same time? Who says sports is only meant for those who can’t excel in studies?

Again, I bring up the example of Ellen Petersen. She did her medical school while vying for a berth in the World Top 20. Should we not think about emulating the system, environment and mindset they have in Denmark? We have enough sportsmen in Singapore who are raring to be challenged.

However we have been accustomed to a barrage of excuses (to be linked to the 7 myths) that explain away our failings in the sporting arena. It is time to tear apart these myths and see clearly the real issues impeding our athletes. Let us solve the fundamental issues. Let us be excited about the possibilities. There is so much that we can achieve as an individual, and together as a Nation.

Aren’t we a city of possibilities? Each individual Singaporean should be truly empowered with that knowledge.

PossibiCity?