Problem 1 - RJ for Strategic Sports Development

Question: How have the modules you've taken thus far changed your perspectives toward sports?

I think it is a little tough for me to say as most of my modules are rather outdoor and if I am to classify them into sports, it will be considered as extreme sports as a whole due to the high elements and low element course which is not really a sports but just an activity based. But if I am to really dive into individual, kayaking and rock climbing are the two main individuals that are considered as sports.

I personally felt that I have never considered rock climbing and kayaking as a form of sports but as a fun activity. I think simply because I enjoy doing the activity and to facilitate the activity to a group of people is considered as fun and play at work rather than really considered that it is a sport and there must be certain seriousness in our work. Of course with one factor, I am someone who lost my passion in outdoor adventure learning. I think I am just hiding from troubles and difficulties that I faced as no matter how hard I seem to try to remember, the steps seem for certain modules are just too tough for me to understand and grasp. So I missed out quite a number of classes.

But if I am to say about modules changing my perspectives toward sports is really some random modules; I personally feel. These are sociology of sports and leisure, health and wellness and inclusive physical activities. I have never realised that certain sports are for certain group of people or how certain sports the rules are changed so as to include disabilities people or to fit certain group of people. I never realised that eating and sleeping well or having adequate vitamins will help us to excel in sports or even in our workplace. I always thought that by having enough sleep or so long you have eat food for every meals will help us to stay awake and keep fit. Apparently that is not the case.

Through the three modules, I have learnt that sports in Singapore especially; are meant to be played by everyone. I remembered in my sociology class, we covered on golf. It is true that in Singapore we have the most number of golf  course but that did not seem to break down the barrier that golf is not just for rich people to play. I still recalled that during that class we were saying that although Singapore government is trying to break down the barrier though encouraging school to have their own golf teams, that did not really help. I can personally say that as in Shuqun Primary school although golf is a CCA but there is a quota for it. There are only 45 students who can take part and the 45 students are from primary 1 – primary 6. When compared to other CCA where there can be like 70-150 students from primary 3-primary 6 and to be more accurate there is no limitation in these CCA but golf.

Now after talking about golf, today we have also discussed on the inclusive sports which is to include disability or young children or even senior citizens. This reminded me on my module Inclusive Physical Activities. No doubt games that we as teenager play cannot be played with the senior citizen or the disability if our rules are not changed so that they too can play at ease. For example basketball, we have basketball game for the teens and young adults while we have wheelchair basketball for the disabled. I can tell you for a disabled (example, leg amputees) to play normal basketball with us is difficult as they are unable to run nor jump like us. Likewise, we will definitely find it hard to play basketball with a wheelchair as we would preferred running and jumping as we will need to control not just the basketball that is in our hand but also the movement of the wheelchair.

Therefore I find that the paralympians games are so much interesting when compared with the Olympic games. I guess that also change my perception that there is only certain sports can be played but certain people as I think that most sports when rules and regulations are tweaked and adjusted, everyone should be able to play. No doubt I still cannot accept the fact or I should say I cannot understand how the amputees are able to do rock climbing or kayaking. Therefore I would still say most of the sports can be adjusted to suit them but there are certain sports (especially extreme sports) are for able-bodied person to play.

No offense here, I remember that disabled people do not like to be called disabled people and if we are to do comparison they do not like the term disable and able-bodied. But for now I can’t remember the right terms to use so I shall stick to this. Once I remember I will let you know again.

Sorry for the late RJ. I did not realised that my church worship practice will end near 11.30pm by the time I reached home and bathe and sit to type my RJ, it is already near 12.45am. I just used near 45minutes to finish writing. Thanks for your understanding.