Events
DPP Allison Phua, who was representing Singapore for the 2nd time at this games, had this to say after her run, “I always thought running from the law wasn’t a good idea… Bench & Bar showed me that running with the law is always the better option.” Indeed, the latter option is definitely the better option, especially when national pride is at stake.
While it was an overall victory at long last for Singapore, the Malaysians were no pushovers and won a respectable amount of events. For example, in Badminton, a spirited Singaporean team led by DPP Muhamad Imaduddien had victory snatched from their hands by a triumphant Malaysian side. “After last year’s narrow loss,” recounts DPP Imaduddien, “the [Singapore] badminton team was in high spirits before the match.” Victory seemed within our grasp especially after the absence of two of Malaysia’s top players from the games was discovered. However, to the team’s dismay, it was soon realized that the new Malaysian players were former state players who were younger and faster. Thus despite a heroic effort, the Singapore team had to concede defeat in the end. All things considered, it was a good performance against a country that is an international badminton powerhouse. And the loss has not dampened the spirits of the Singapore team in the least. As DPP Imaduddien wryly comments “[now] one word is etched in the team’s minds as we prepare to do battle in Kuala Lumpur next year: Vengeance!”
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