This was my 4th SEA Games, and my best one yet. But as the euphoria fades, I find myself wondering "what now?"
The problems and cracks in our foundation remain. Internal politics and concerns with regards to support, funding and selection criteria are ever present. Securing funding is a constant challenge for every athlete in Singapore. How can we look towards the future if the demons of our past still haunt us in the present?
I have been able to pursue my passion full-time thanks to my sponsors, husband, SAA (internal carding upon SEAG qualification) and SportSG (campaign support). SportSG's campaign schemes have enabled me to participate in overseas training camps and competitions. My coach's travel costs are covered too, should his work schedule permit. This is on top of the sports science and medical support SSI provides to all carded athletes (Physio; rehab, psych, nutrition, biomech, etc). All of these services have kept my body and mind ready to compete year after year. I am luckier than most. I recognise how fortunate I am to have received all that I have. I acknowledge I get more than most. Still -and I say this at the risk of sounding ungrateful- we need more. I am not posting this to complain, but to state a fact: there is support, but it is not enough.
My coach, like many other coaches, comes down to training after his full time job and trains me pro bono. He takes personal leave to accompany me for overseas camps and races. My day-to-day costs, like the majority of my fellow athletes, are not covered. The support that campaign schemes provide lasts for 4-6 months of the year and comes in the form of reimbursement. The amount of paperwork an athlete has to go through to plan, budget and claim for each trip under a campaign scheme is exhausting; more importantly, it distracts the athlete from the actual goal - to focus on training and races. The funding offsets some costs, but my savings cannot grow, and I am unable to give my parents a monthly allowance. They say they don't mind but it eats at me a little. At 26, 3 years after my university graduation, I do not have financial stability because of the path I've chosen. (Let's not get into lost opportunity costs, career progression, work experience...)
So, what now? Then how?
Like many others, the shortage of funding does not deter my sporting pursuits. Personally, I will train towards Asian Games 2018 with the support of my husband and sponsors. I will be grateful if I receive campaign support, or perhaps become a spexscholar. But it is something I hope to have, not expect to have. No matter what, I know I will be able to continue my sporting journey full-time -a luxury most cannot afford to say with such certainty.
I know funding is a touchy subject; and that talking money is seen as taboo or crass. But I don't think that should be the case. This is an important conversation which should be discussed more openly so we can understand and learn from each other to grow. We athletes cannot wait for more support - either cash and/or in-kind - to fall in our laps too. We must be proactive, continue to knock on doors and build on our personal brands. We must continue to engage sponsors to show them that athletes are worth the investment - even if the ROI is not as tangible, clear cut or immediate. We must work together and lift each other up. We must share. We must not sell ourselves short. As a community we have to work towards making sport a viable endeavour, if not for ourselves, for our future generations and rising talents.
*There is so much more I have to say, examples to give, and personal experiences to share, but these are best saved for private conversations. I do hope my post is interpreted correctly - I want to evoke a conversation to make positive change. I am not here to complain or point fingers, and I am definitely extremely thankful to the support I have received and nothing will ever discount that. I have emailed Singapore Athletics and SportSG with my thoughts and hope we can continue to work together to improve the sport and the sporting fraternity.
📷: SportSingapore
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