ON COMPETING AGAINST SPORTS PRODIGIES
From My Sport
MY PAPER MONDAY JULY 7, 2008
CHIA HAN KEONG
IN 1984, an eight-year-old American kid won the Junior World Golf Championships – competing in the nine to 10-year-old age category.
He went on to win six more times, victorious every time he jumped up an age category.
That kid, Eldrick Woods, grew up to be known as Tiger, and is dominating golf like few had done before.
Notice how he was allowed to continue playing in the junior championships – even while he was pulverising all the other young golfers time and time again.
When a youngster has a talent so prodigious, should one prevent him from competing, so as to avoid demoralising the others?
The answer is so obvious, yet some Singaporean parents are oblivious to it.
They displayed that laughable short-sightedness against 10-year-old Kang Yee Cher, who has been dominating the junior track and field scene since last year.
He clinched two golds and broke a record at last week’s Inter-Primary Track and Field Championships, but other parents are upset over his participation.
They questioned the logic in letting such a talent compete with their not-so-talented kids, arguing that their precocious sons will be demoralised.
They even had the gall to question the authenticity of his age, given that he is unusually taller and bigger than his peers.
How ironic. These are the same people who, for the past year, have probably been eagerly supporting
Yet, here they are, furiously suppressing a bright young talent, to the point that Yee Cher is afraid to even speak up about his wins.
Thankfully, the Singapore Athletic Association, as well as the
They recognise his wonderful potential, and are taking pains to defend him and nurture his unique physique into an explosive talent.
To those whining parents, I say shame on you for over-protecting your kids.
Yes, they are getting a battering from Yee Cher that, at their “precocious” age, is tough to swallow.
To which I say: Too bad. Ask all the professional golfers how they feel whenever they face Tiger Woods in million-dollar tournaments.
There is no shame in losing to such prodigious talents.
The worst thing one can do is to reject kids like Yee Cher and make them ashamed of their skills.
That would be the ultimate in short-sightedness, as they would have missed out on seeing potential greatness in action.
hankeong@sph.com.sg
From HOME, My News
MY PAPER MONDAY JULY 7, 2008
Cheryl Lim
FOR some Singaporeans, as much as 80 per cent of their diet comprises raw fruits, nuts and
vegetables. What’s more, they also put their children on the same diet.
But nutritionists my paper spoke to feel the diet is not suitable for adults and even less so for children.
Ms Yondi Lee, a holistic nutritionist at Ascension Healing said: “Unless quite a bit of nuts and seeds are taken, protein and fats will be very much deficient. For a young growing child, these two nutrients are highly essential for muscle and structure building, and brain development.”
One parent who follows such a strict diet isteacher Lidia Djingga, 30, who put her 14-month-old son on the same diet of raw fruits and vegetables she has been on since last November.
Little Fung Win was six-months-old then. He was taken off solid food like porridge, and fed breast milk and fruit juice. Ms Djingga usually takes fruit juice for breakfast, fruit smoothie for lunch and a fruit salad for dinner.
Ms Djingga used to scarf down bak kut teh and other local food with relish a few times a week. She converted to her austere diet after her son came down with coughs and flu as frequently as once a month.
After spending up to $200 a visit to various paediatricians, she attended a class on healthy eating conducted by Our Place International, a US-based alternative lifestyle organisation with an office here. The organisation believes that the body can heal itself, said Ms Djingga.
Apparently, cooking “kills healthy enzymes in food”. Instead of cooking, she “dries” her food using a dehydrator she bought from Tangs for about $200.
When asked about the diet’s effects, Ms Djingga said: “My son no longer falls sick. And I feel more energised and sleep better. My mood’s improved.”
She added that she did not consult a doctor before she went on the diet.
But nutritionist Teo Kiok Seng from Nutrition Network Services said: “A fruitarian diet, when taken by an adult for a prolonged period, and even more so, when given to a child, can cause serious consequences, like a deficiency in protein, iron, calcium, Vitamin D, B and omega-3 fatty acids.”
cheryll@sph.com.sg
I thought of posting this picture… soothing to the eyes. It’s not mine; I got it from a colleague. But just the same, it is nice.
From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
TODAY Monday July 7 2008
By Dr James Dobson
Many women these days express a sense of anxiety about dealing with their own sons.
A friend of mine, Ms Jean Lush, has written a wonderful book on the subject called, Mothers and Sons.
She says that mothers should realise that it’s normal for little boys to be difficult – even extremely difficult.
Emerging masculinity can be a boisterous and destructive force.
Mothers should learn to anticipate their sons’ energy level, and look for ways to channel that force into exercise and constructive activity.
Also, when we look at little boys, let’s keep in mind that they aren’t grown up yet.
History shows that many great men began as baffling, headstrong boys who gave their parents headaches.
The challenge for mothers is to see sons not just in terms of their present behaviour, but in terms of their long-term potential.
If a mother can find that kind of vision, she can see herself working for the future when her perseverance will pay off in the maturity and achievements of her grown son.
From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
Today • Friday • July 4, 2008
By Dr Bill Maier
Let’s talk about the principles of a good marriage.
The first is Communication. All relationships need active and clear communication in order to survive, and this is especially true in marriage.
If something is bugging you, talk to your spouse about it. And ask them if anything you’ve done is bothering them.
It’s amazing what a little conversation can do to draw two people together.
The second is Compromise — and it works best when both sides have aired their differences.
Marriage is a series of give-and take negotiations, and all couples need to be willing to put the relationship above their own wants and wishes.
The third is Consideration. One father told his son: “Treat your wife with as much courtesy as you would a friend, and you’ll probably be fine.”
That’s a good rule of thumb for all of us.
From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
Today • Thursday • July 3, 2008
By Dr Bill Maier
Making friends is one thing; keeping them is another.
We all need friends in our lives to keep us going, but we don’t always have time to stay close.
The best relationships are long-term ones and there are a few concrete things we can do to keep our friendships alive and strong. Set aside some time to meet friends, even if it’s just for 30 minutes over a cup of coffee.
When life gets busy, it’s easy to go for months without seeing those who are important to us and that can be solved by a simple call.
Keep a list of special birthdays and anniversaries and don’t forget to send a card or note. It’s amazing how much it means to people when they know you care enough to remember special dates.
If you’re pressed for time, try coordinating your to-do lists. Maybe you could shop together or meet friends at the gym a few times a week.
It’s a great way to stay in touch with those you seldom get to see.
We all need friends.
From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
Today • Wednesday • July 2, 2008
By Dr Bill Maier
Science may be able to help you live longer, but quality of life during those years is entirely up to you.
Thanks to medical advances, you and I may live well into our eighties or nineties – even longer. But how well will we be living? Extending life doesn’t do much good if we aren’t healthy enough to enjoy it.
So what’s the secret to staying healthy in our later years? Besides, of course, starting while we are young?
First, develop a diet that controls cholesterol. Foods rich in soy, fibre and protein have been shown to help lower cholesterol as effectively as most heart disease medications.
Second, get plenty of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables. Not only do they help fight heart disease, but they’ve been shown to keep memory fresh and agile.
Finally, strengthen your bones with milk and other calcium-rich products. It’s good for the heart, and also keeps the teeth and muscles strong.