Citizenship and our paddlers

I’m done with my work for the day, and its been a productive week this week. Must be because I finally uninstalled Warcraft 3 from my laptop. Its such a great time waster. Its not too difficult to choose when the computer is in front of me beckoning me to turn the game on. Dota? Or my immense-like-hell-never-know-when-i’m-gonna-finish pile of readings?

The Beijing Olympics may be over, but I’ve been thinking about the comments over Singapore’s silver medal quite a  bit. It was a historic moment when our table tennis players took the silver medal, but it was inevitable that it would spark a discussion on whether Singapore really won the medal. Or were the finals just a China A team versus China B team match? I’m not sure what our paddlers think about the discussion, but they must have fully expected this less glamorous side of representing Singapore through the foreign talent scheme.

Who are they, really? Where is their home? Why are they playing for a country they were not born in? These are common questions for athletes who have to decide on which country they represent. For the Singapore paddlers, making the decision to stay in China may have meant that they would not be able to participate on such a grand stage. It may have meant much less playing experience at the highest levels. For Li Jiawei, playing for Singapore was also a way to get away from her overly strict dad.

From the players’ perspectives, I think the way we won the medals are absolutely legitimate. They decided that Singapore was a great place for them to gain experience, receive quality coaching, and participate in major competitions and win medals. Singapore had to be able to offer them these things. They made the decision in the same way we decide where and for whom we wish to work. We wish to make the best use of our abilities, and also seek an environment where we can grow and shine. Scientists go to the most supportive research institutions, footballers go to the best football clubs, and artists go to where their creativity is most valued.

In a way, I am similar to our paddlers.  Citizenship for me is more of an administrative concept. If I find that my skills are more suitable for another country, and taking up its citizenship is a requirement, I would be fine with entertaining the idea. Citizenship wouldn’t play a major role in the decision, though ease of travel, living conditions and job requirements would. Its about finding the best fit between me and the environment. Oh, the spouse’s opinions matter too, of course. (Almost forgot. Ouch.)

My roots are in Singapore. This is my home. It doesn’t matter whether my passport is from America, Japan, Pakistan, or South African. My heart knows I am Singaporean, and that’s what matters.