the flipside

Beod thefollowing orqunents ond olterDotive orguments ond Jill iD the exomples wherc necesso' y.

SPORTS

1,

Concept/lssue: Nation-building

Queslioni Isthe objective ofsport onlyto win or improvetne's skills in a particutar sport?
Answer: Sports transcends beyond the sporting arena. While winning and overcoming opponents
and individual shortcomings are always important, it should be noted that sports has a role in
nation building and can be used to inculcate (national) values in the young.

Arguments
Sports can be used to unite people of diffe.ent
races and religions and create a sense of national

identity.

Sports can in {act be a vehicle for excessive

nationalistic fe rvour between competing nations,
sometimes leading to vio!ence off the

pitch/sporting arena.
ln some circumstances sports can reinforce
disunity in a country if representation on the
sports field is decided in a discriminatory manner{Eg. South African Rugby and Cricket)

ln tbis globalised world, many countriet including

Singapore import foreign talent to represent them
at internationalsports competitions. This in fad
dilutes the relevance of international sports to
national unity. Many locals refuse to supportthese
national teams as they comprise offoreign-born
players. Eg?

While many locals seem reluctant to rally behind

national sporls teami lhal .omprise of foreign
born talent, they are quite willing to support
playersthat were imponed at a young age and
have since adopted local habits. Eg?

Sports can be used to inculcate (national) vatues in

the young. The pursuit ofvictory requires
persistence and a drive forexcellence, Atthe same
time it also provides an avenue forthe youngto
learn fair play, to learn how to lose graciously and

to show aespectto defeated opponents.

T!

@SRJC GP

2009

Given the commercialisation of teleiised sports,

the values ofthe young have become perverted.
They obsess overvidory and are willingto cheat

to do so astheysee theiridols do likewise on

television. Eg?

the fllpside
2.

Concept/lssuer Diplomacyand Cultural Exchange

Question: ls international sports allabout winningand furthering nationalpride?

Answer:While winning is always a goalin inte rnationa I sports, it should be noted that international
sports can be used to improve relations betlveen countrieland even as an avenue for cultural
exchange and friendship.
Arguments

lnternationalsports can be used as an avenue to

improvediplomatic relations between countries
particularly as an ice- brea ker whe re relations are
tense. Eg?

Using sports as a diplomatic tool is largely a

su perficia I act that has littte substance. Such

sporting exchanges are brittle and wane when

relations become tense for political reasons, Eg?

ln fact, international sports can sometimes worsen

politial relations, particularly when fans are

extremely passionate and violence flares. Eg?

Sports is an avenue for cultural excha nge, bridging

barriers like language and religion. This is
particula rly true when such exchanges involve

3,

Concept/lssue: Sports

as a

While such exchanges are educational, their real

impact is negligible. When such youths grow up,
they are more likelyto retain the same cultural
prejudices as their parents. lsolated experiences
garnered asyouth do not have cumulative long-

manitestation of primordial instind for war

Question: Aren't sportsiust meaningless games meant for children?

Answer: Many view sports

as

the modern manifestation of Man's innate desire to engage in battle.

ArBuments
Psychologists and sociologists view sports as the
modern manifestation of Man's in-born desireto
engage in war- This is in fact a useful way of

creatingan outlet forsuch instincts. Eg. The New

Zealand rugbyteam's performance ofthe Hakka,
an indigenous Maori war-dance, is an example
how rugby is seen bythe Maorias the modern
equivalent ofwar,

osnrcerzoos

Sports are essentiallv games played people for

enjoyment as wellasto compete and challenge
themselves and others. Professional athletes
compete at a higher leveland higher standards are
expected. However, there is no comparison
between sports and war, There are few rules in

the flipside
Fanatical support by fans can be explained bythe
histo.ical practice of glorifying soldiers who do
battle to protect the people.

4,

Such a reference isflawed today- Fanaticalsports

fans worship their idols fortheir sporting prowess

and otten

fortheirgood looks.

Eg?

Concepl/lssue:Commercialisation/Cheating

Question: Are sporting values of determination, excellence and integrity relevant in the modern

Answer: Sportingvalues have become significa ntly diluted in today's world. This is largely due to the
commercialisation ofmodern sports. Today sporting events are televised to m;llions, prizes and
endorsement deals are worth millions and sometimes billions. Naturalty, with such high stakes,
athletes and coaches are willing to do anything to win.

With millions ofdollars worth ofendorsement

dealt many sporting icons are willing to take drugs
or engage in other forms of cheating to maintain

their status, Eg?

Given the numerous episodes ofcheating in

internationalspons, it is becoming harder and
harderto use sports as an avenuetoteach values

to the young. Eg?

While there are many instances of cheating in

modern sports, it would be an exaggeration to
describe this as a growingtrend. Cheats and drugcheats are in the minority. Byand laree the vast
majority ot athleteq are, ledn. f urthermore
lnternational sports organisations now adopt
aggressive anti dopinB processes. Eg?

lnstances of cheating in international and

protessional sports do occut butteachers and
parents still have many sporting icons and
episodes to teach values of determination,
excellence and integrity. Sports transcend beyond
the professional, international and commercialised
tothe regional and even school level, which in fact
make up the overwhelming majority of the
sporting arena- Ee?

the flipside
5.

concept/lssue: Elilism, Fame and wealth

Question: are commercialised internationalsports only the domain o{the educated and wealthy?
true tbatthe rich and educated do have more access to sports facilities and top
coaches, true sportin8talent is innate.The commercialisatlon of modern spons had ledto extensive
scouting, enablingtalent from poor backgroundsto be unearlhed. These talented sportsmen can
Answer: While it

is

usetheir abilitiesto achieve fame and wealth.

Aryuments
The rich and educated have better accessto
sporting facilities and the best coaches and are
hence more likely to succeed in internationaland
professional sports. This is more likelyso in elite
sports such as Cricket Rugby and Equestrianwhich
are only introduced in the more wealthyschools.

It is

truethatthe rich and edLrcated

are more likely

to succeed in sports, but true sporting legends are

born, not made. History shows us thattrue sports
iconswill somehowbe discovered and willshare
theirtalents with the world, no matter how
abjectly poorthey are born. Eg?

Given the highly commercialised nature of modern

professional and inteanational sports, there are

numerous scouting and screening processes to
ensurethat no stone is left unturned in the effort
to unearth true sportingtalent. Eg?

6.

concept/lssuei Personal health and fulfllment

question: ls sports onlythe domain ofthose with sporting ability?

Answer: The beauty of sports isthat it i9 open to all, besides the talented, Anyone can engage in
casualsports to keep llt, create personal milestones and goals or even stay in touch with friends.

Arguments
sports can be undertaken and enioyed by all,
includingthe obese and those with little sporting
ability. Sports can be pursued purely for

enioyment sake,

as a

socialactivity. E8?

@SRJC GP

2009

There is little value in casualsports. The standards

are low and the actualpositive effect on health is
not always clear. lfanything, it promotes
mediocrity and is not a good vehicle for teaching
valuestothe young. *

the flipside
For some unfit or ill individuals, sports and the

attendant injuries present a serious health risklndividuals can use sports to chart personal goals
and milestones and even overcome illness and

obesity. Pursuing sportinggoals (Eg) such as

marathons and triathlons allow people to put
values such as determination, pursuit ofexcellence

Such sports'nuts'are in fact a very small minority,

and while their efforts and values are noteworthy,
the vastanajority do not use sports as a gauge of
personal ahievement. They instead use a time
honoured gauge called money. *

and integrity into practice.

Pleose note thot with cenoin

donoins af infornotjon it

is

norc diJlcDlt

to

ptoide con.,ete dota to

bock up yout atgument5

Het. you fiust rcly on orgwentotjon.

7.

Concept/lssue: Gender bias in international professional sports.

Question: Are all professional athletes compensated fairly fortheir efforts and talents?
Answer: Female protessionat sportswomen continue to be discriminated against by almost all
internationa I spo rts organisations and even companies offering endorsements. The assumption is
that women are less able physically, hence watchingthem is less enterlaining. Thisjustifies the
lower prizes. Businesses also assume that {emale athletes have lower advertising power than male
sports stars-

Women are unfairly paid less prize-moneywhen

they compete in professionalsports. Asthey play
identical sportsastheirmale counterpartt they
should be compensated in a similar fashion.

Women are paid less prize-money

Females professional athletes are offered lower

The assumption is that male athtetes have more

fans and that these fans are willingto spend
money on products being endorsed by the male
sports stars. Eg?

endorsementfees compared to male athletes-

as they are
physically weaker and their matches are inevitably
less entertaining. women also have slower
psycho-motor skills and their matches are often
played at a slower pace. Payingthem the same
prize-money as men would not bejustified,

ln recent years, advertisers have adopted the

is only a matter oftime
before sexually attractive females earn more
endorspment money lhdn male sporl\ (lars.
Unfortunately, ifand when this happens, itwould
do nothingto aid womens rights- ltwould in fact
have the opposite effect,

mantn of'sell sells'. lt

the flipside
8.

Concept/lssue: Small countries and international sports

Question: Can small and successful economies ever really compete in the international sporting
arena? Should they even botherto compete in and host internationalevents?

Answer: Smallcountries can in fact compete iftheyfocuston niche sport and develop expenise.
They may also import foreiBn born talentto improve thei standards. Hosting internationalsporting
events can in faci stimulate the lmal sportsscene and depending on the organisation, earn millions
or even billions in revenue forthe local economy.
Areuments
There is littletogain from small countries
competing in internationa I orga nisations. Th is is a

By competing in international sports competitions,

smallnations raise their profile. By developing

expertise and abilityin chosen niche sports, they

also develop a reputation for performing beyond
expectations and foster national pride. Eg?

Many small ndtions imporl loreien tdlent to

achieve sporting goals. This has had a high success
rate. Such practices are used by major nations as

well.

of
money. The money spent andthe inconvenience :
Hosting internationalsporting events is a waste

(aused to locals (from construction and lraHic

problems) do not make.good economic sense.

E8?

Hosting an international sports event allows

smallcountry a short cutto participating atthe

hiShest levels. {Eg) 2O1O Youlh Olympic Games in
Singapore.ln doing so, it stimulates and propels
the localsports scene further. There are numerous
examples of sportsmen from the host nation
performing beyond expectations. Eg?

Hosting an internationa I sports event provides the

local economy numerous opportunitiesto make
monev. Eg?

osruceezoos

the flipside
Word Bank
1

The process ofconstrucrins a

rationalaot,ty

uiiif

the power ofthe srate. This process aihs at the

unilication of the people so thar it rema'ns potirica y
stable and viable in the tonc run_ Othergoats jnctude
social harmony and econodjc Arowth.

nationalistic/nationblism

Devotion and loyalty to one's own narion (patr'otirm).

The conduct ot relations and neeoriations between

An outward or public demonstration of something

Deep seated desnes presen! f.om thevery begioning

Ex.es5iv or f .enzied enrhu5iasm for 50methine.

Afamou5 person worshipped wirh btind a.loration.

the act ofinvolv'ngsomething in business or Drofit

To pay an athlete moneyto suppon a pariicutar

10

when an athlete takes illegal perfomance enhanc'nB

11

An

12

The beliefthat certain persons or members ofcertain

c'asses orBroups deserue favored t.eatment by virrue
of their pe.ceived superiority, as in intelt, soc'at
status, or fi nancial resources.

"lhl"r"

who r"k"( rtteCdtppdormd trpdrue\ to wn

The act otventuring out various tocations to spor

14

Io

15

Physica I

prejudned in tavour ofonegenderoverrhe

movemenr inhDted by the mrnd,

word that is often repeated, as it in ptuyer.

Note: Att meoDinss orc within the @ntext af soorts.

@SRJC GP

be

rhe*

woras

noy nove

aillereniiiins;;AiJtere;t antexts.