I have a new toy and it doesn't get any better than a PS3! A whopping $599 + $65 for a 2nd controller and $49 for Virtual Tennis, I will be knocking on doors for more tuition to patch the burn in my pocket!
At least, it will keep me occupied for a while. Who wants to catch Night at the museum 2?
Friday, May 22, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Unsettled Ping Pong - Ping Pong attack
Round of applause for us winning the women's team silver medal in the recently concluded Olympics. But apparently, another type of ruckus is gaining momentum over the very same achievement. However, it is on the opposite side of any celebratory sort.
I stand on the side of the coach. How can anyone publicly question his professionalism or ethics. Even if there is really something of this sort, as the table tennis chief, you cannot discuss it in public! A wiser and more neutral comment would have been, "No comments or It was a fair decision as the board had deliberated long and hard or We acknowledge the achievement and contribution of all the coaches in 2008 but we were unable to find someone who had distinguished himself/herself."
Coach Liu's contribution is unequaled and to publicly discuss his morals is uncalled for. Even if you do not like someone, as an adult and especially someone in power, you cannot sling personal attacks. What image are you projecting to the people in Singapore and the world?
The repercussions are far and wide. From this incident, will foreign coaches and athletes be enticed to take up stints with us? I sincerely hope this matter will be resolved amicably. Having passion in table tennis does not naturally lead to sound leadership. I hope that someone in the higher echelon of authority will step in and give Coach Liu his due respect and honor. After all, we cannot brush aside the fact that he was instrumental in securing our republic's 2nd Olympic medal in nearly half a century.
I stand on the side of the coach. How can anyone publicly question his professionalism or ethics. Even if there is really something of this sort, as the table tennis chief, you cannot discuss it in public! A wiser and more neutral comment would have been, "No comments or It was a fair decision as the board had deliberated long and hard or We acknowledge the achievement and contribution of all the coaches in 2008 but we were unable to find someone who had distinguished himself/herself."
Coach Liu's contribution is unequaled and to publicly discuss his morals is uncalled for. Even if you do not like someone, as an adult and especially someone in power, you cannot sling personal attacks. What image are you projecting to the people in Singapore and the world?
The repercussions are far and wide. From this incident, will foreign coaches and athletes be enticed to take up stints with us? I sincerely hope this matter will be resolved amicably. Having passion in table tennis does not naturally lead to sound leadership. I hope that someone in the higher echelon of authority will step in and give Coach Liu his due respect and honor. After all, we cannot brush aside the fact that he was instrumental in securing our republic's 2nd Olympic medal in nearly half a century.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Back to the courts
It has been a while since I last spoke of tennis. I shall stop that habit now.
Judging by the results in 2009, Rafael Nadal is almost unplayable, something like Roger Federer in most parts of 2005-2007. Rafael has won 5 titles so far, 2 more than the second most titlists. Of the 5, 1 is a grand slam, 3 are masters (its prestige is second to the slams). Well, it should be expected since he is the best in the world according to the rankings. Let's examine Federer.
Federer is still good to watch on tv, but his wheels seemed to have fallen apart. He gets 'owned' by Novak Djokovic, Nadal and Murray. These players only awhile ago are at the recieving end of his artistry. However, tables have turned and he has not beaten any of these in 2009. Nadal conquered him in Aussie Open, Novak in Rome and Miami and Murray in Indian Wells.
Murray is the man to watch for 2009. He may spoil Nadal's plans for completing his career grandslam in US Open. He is ranked no.3 now, higher than anyone from Britian (Tim Henman was 4th). At 22, he has surpassed all that Tim Henman has achieved in his career. With Federer no longer in the equation, I believe Murray's main rivarly will be with Nadal.
Novak Djokvic is equally entertaining to watch, with his matching blue outfit and shoes and impersonations. He seemed to have reached his potential and have produced outstanding showings in the clay season. He took 1 set from Nadal on clay and this is highly commendable as nobody has done that since 2007.
Roland Garros is round the corner and the likely winner is Rafael Nadal. His opponent in the finals may be someone different from the previous 3 years, and he is none other than Novak Djokovic. The woman's winner will be very hard to pick. My money is on Kusnetsova or Dinara Safina. Jelena Jankovic is destined to be the no.1 who has never won a grandslam. She's sooooo terrible.
Judging by the results in 2009, Rafael Nadal is almost unplayable, something like Roger Federer in most parts of 2005-2007. Rafael has won 5 titles so far, 2 more than the second most titlists. Of the 5, 1 is a grand slam, 3 are masters (its prestige is second to the slams). Well, it should be expected since he is the best in the world according to the rankings. Let's examine Federer.
Federer is still good to watch on tv, but his wheels seemed to have fallen apart. He gets 'owned' by Novak Djokovic, Nadal and Murray. These players only awhile ago are at the recieving end of his artistry. However, tables have turned and he has not beaten any of these in 2009. Nadal conquered him in Aussie Open, Novak in Rome and Miami and Murray in Indian Wells.
Murray is the man to watch for 2009. He may spoil Nadal's plans for completing his career grandslam in US Open. He is ranked no.3 now, higher than anyone from Britian (Tim Henman was 4th). At 22, he has surpassed all that Tim Henman has achieved in his career. With Federer no longer in the equation, I believe Murray's main rivarly will be with Nadal.
Novak Djokvic is equally entertaining to watch, with his matching blue outfit and shoes and impersonations. He seemed to have reached his potential and have produced outstanding showings in the clay season. He took 1 set from Nadal on clay and this is highly commendable as nobody has done that since 2007.
Roland Garros is round the corner and the likely winner is Rafael Nadal. His opponent in the finals may be someone different from the previous 3 years, and he is none other than Novak Djokovic. The woman's winner will be very hard to pick. My money is on Kusnetsova or Dinara Safina. Jelena Jankovic is destined to be the no.1 who has never won a grandslam. She's sooooo terrible.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
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