Great article, however i am skeptical about the recording of the timings during the ASEAN Uni Games last December. Seng Song’s timing of 10.49s is highly dubious. If this were the case, the Vietnamese sprinter who clocked 10.21 in the heats would become the national record holder for his country. It is only logical to assume that this timing was hand timed, which is around 0.2-0.3 seconds slower than electronic timing (ET) which is an international pre-requisite.

It is no surprise really that everyone posted a timing around .2-.3s faster in the heats as it was hand timed. .2 as you know makes a world of a difference in the 100m. I do not mean to take anything away from Seng Song, he definitely is highly talented. However i think more effort should be made to get the facts straight rather than jump to such conclusions. It is rather futile to punch someones ticket for a tournament as sublime as the SEA Games when the persons results rests under a huge question mark. This compounded by the fact that Seng Song ran 10.85s in the Asian Chanpionships does nothing to strengthen his argument as Singapore’s top sprinter.

It is unfair to compare Seng Song to U.K. Shyam who is proven to deliver results, which leaves me bewildered as to why he is not on the national team. I recall Shyam beating Seng Song in Negeri Sembilan as well as posting some pretty fast timings this season inspite of juggling work. It really questions the credibility of the selections procedure.

Poh Seng Song (Wings)
Elfi (Wings, coached by Melvin Tan)
Amir (Wings, coached by Melvin Tan)
Cheng Wei (Wings, coached by Melvin Tan)
Gary (Wings, currently under in NS)
last but not least Izwan (Swift)

I really think PSS will be the last person to break up the unity of the 4×100m team.

Thank you for your feedback and comment, which has provided a lot of food for thought. And thanks too for pointing out the factual inaccuracies.
I have made the neccessary changes so that the write-up will be as factually correct as possible.

Warmest regards
SSF

Secondly, the other sprinter, Muhammad Amirudin is under same stress and pressure like Seng Song. But like Muhammad Amirudin, he accept the fact. To be in the SEA Games, he has to be near his best. At least a 10.60s or else he risk of embarrasment of not qualifying in the final. And like him, he rather have another better runner to represent Singapore.

Thirdly, Seng Song is not UK Shyam. UK Syham has proven that he capable of doing 10.37s. As he did the identical time at the World University Games before the SEA Games when he won the silver with 10.37s. UK Shyam have a track record to show that he is capable to repeat or better it. That is why then nobody questioned UK Shyam’s ability. Seng Song must have a progressive track record in working toward peaking at the SEA Games. Infact, he should show that he can do better time then the qualifying time. And I quote you, “It will be interesting to see if the higher level of competition at the Asian Championships can push any of these athletes towards achieving new personal bests. That would be a wonderful personal morale boost as they go into the final weeks before the SEA Games.” So, Seng Song should do better in the Asian Championship rather than another 10.80s. Do you agree?

Now back to my opening sentence, what do you mean by I quote you, ” Because if he doesn’t, and if he ends up losing his place in the end, then you can kiss team unity in the 4×100m relay goodbye.” Are you inciting that Seng Song will disarray and break up the strong bonding in the SINGAPORE relay team? This is so ridiculous. Instead, you should motivate Seng Song to help and win the relay event. If he lose his slot in the 100m, he should continue to help in running the relays. After all, the relay team’s winning is also his win and ultimately, SINGAPORE’s WIN.

Lastly, get your facts right. Wan Lay Chi and Scott Wong are not shot-putters but Discus Throwers.

Well done Lewis, when can we see you lift in Singapore?

SSF, well done.

Many Many grateful thanks for sticking up for athletes such as us.

The sporting world is huge and sports such as wushu and weightlifting is very very minor compared to soccer or table tennis. However all athletes have to start from somewhere, i understand it is difficult to realise the importance of weightlifting compared to other sports. But as a Singaporean athlete, a medal is a medal, we have to work extremely hard for what we do, as hard as any other athlete does, we are passionate about the sport, thats where it all starts. The weightlifting’s population may be small but its sure mighty powerful.

I have to give credit to SWF for all their help and aid that they have given me and the opportunity to participate at this level. Without them, weightlifting in Singapore would not even BE possible.

The medal is just a bonus. I however have to say that I would really appreciate more help from the Sports Council and the government to be more supportive over smaller sports like weightlifting and wushu. We should be accredited the same as the big sports.

“I don’t see them winning medals.”