i think pulling the FT problem into the discussion is rather far fetched.
the so-called FT problem arises when FTs are advantaged over locals when both can perform the same job. if you want to talk about FTs feeling threatened, well i think that's a lesser problem compared to locals losing confidence.
over here is a case where there is no local capable of performing that job.
the real problem here is whether medals are all the authorities see when attracting foreign sportsmen and sportswomen. afterall the true spirit of sports lies in participation, when no one participates, there's no competition. we can send the best performing Singaporean to an Olympics game and not even have a chance passing through the heats, but can the people feel proud of the performance of a local athelete who do not yield medals? if the maturity level of the people is there, we will not need foreign sports people. i'm afraid that's more than difficult, look at how the soccer clubs in Europe buy and sell players and you'll know why. it's not just in Singapore that such things happen.
The point is not simply abt participation. Look at it from a typical no-sports-knowledge Singaporean POV if a sportsman were to just participate and lose:
"Aiyoh! Send for what?! See lah, sia sway us only. Go so far away to compete, come back no medals. Make us lao kui* (or 'lose face')."
Where things like these are concerned, most people around would still not have confidence in our local sportsman. Generally, people would want a 'sure win, guarantee win. After all we spent money!'.
The mentality of facing loss and going with a mentality to lose AND LOSE BRAVELY (which is the spirit of sportsmanship), isn't well accepted around, not only amongst older Singaporeans, but also the younger population as well!
Ask around in ur office or class, even amongst some of the younger countrymen, the prospect of losing itself is already unimaginable. The prospect of a SURE LOSE (even if one were to face the loss bravely) is one that would entails a tragedy.
For example: If one were to bring up the Battle of Iwo Jima, Battle of Okinawa which the Japanese faced a 120% chance of losing on hindsight. Most young people who're studying just facts, would simply say, "Wah lao, u look at facts? 10 Americans vs 1 Japanese. How to win?! Sure lose one. Might as well surrender, so stupid go and kill themselves and commit suicide dunno for what...."
If people dismissed the mentality as 'old world' and embrace so-called 'new world mentality' of not trying and to give one's best effort in losing, this country's going to the pots.
