Speech by Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Education, at the Opening Ceremony of the National School Games

Partners and colleagues

Principals, Teachers, Parents, Boys and Girls.

Introduction

1.A very good afternoon to all of you. Welcome to the 2024 National School Games Opening Ceremony.

2.As we look forward to the action at NSG, I hope we will also reflect on what competitions mean to us. What do we - students, teachers, coaches, parents, supporters - want to achieve together? What are we aiming for?

3.When we think of competitions, our minds naturally gravitate towards the ideas of victory and defeat. Winners and losers. I believe there is more beyond these two binary outcomes.

Perspective on Competitions

4.Picture this scene. Competitors from different schools, waiting for their turn to jump at the Track and Field Meet. Each competitor wants to do his or her best, and score a win. Despite their individual quests for excellence, they collectively unite to cheer every jumper as they wait patiently for their own turn. This isn't a scene from my imagination; it is what unfolded at last year's Track and Field competition at Bukit Gombak Stadium [picture of boys at the scissors jump event]. Our young ones participating in the Scissors and High Jump events left a smile on the faces of those of us who witnessed this heartwarming moment. What remarkable and inspiring sportsmanship!

5.The word "competition" is rooted in the Latin word "competere" [pronounced as: kom-peh-ter-reh], which means "to strive together." As such, while winning and losing are natural outcomes of competition, the spirit of competition is about striving together with, and not against opponents. True sportsmanship is about pushing ourselves and one another to achieve greater heights of performance and development, even if it means that we might not win. In short, it is about surpassing ourselves, and not others.

6.This notion of competition aligns with the Olympic motto: "Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together" [picture of Olympic motto]. The motto encapsulates not only the individual pursuit of excellence but also the collaborative spirit that underscores competition. The pursuit of excellence cannot be a solitary endeavour but a shared journey.

7.At the NSG, we have made modifications to the competition format in the spirit of providing more equitable competition opportunities for our student-athletes. This year, ten sports for the Senior Division and nine sports for the 'C' Division will adopt the Pool¹ format. This format allows student-athletes to strive towards improvement together while playing against opponents of similar abilities.

Character Development through Sports

8.Competitions are only one part of an athletes' journey. What sets an athlete apart from others is the set of values cultivated from many hours and years of hard work in training. Determination, resilience, respect and teamwork.

9.Take the example of one of our centre-based teams [picture of BMW team]. BMW is a girls' football team made possible by the collaborative efforts of the teachers, school leaders and girls from Boon Lay Secondary School, Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) and Westwood Secondary School. Teamwork and camaraderie can be especially challenging when teammates are from different schools. Nevertheless, the girls were determined to overcome all obstacles. They learned to work with one other and play as a team, building strong friendships along the way. They did well, emerging third in last year's NSG 'C' Division competition. But I hope this strength in character the girls have built through their training will go on to empower them not just for NSG competitions, but other challenging situations they may face in life.

10.Many stakeholders contribute to our athletes' journey of character development [picture of volleyball team with coach]. Our coaches and teachers clearly play a key role. Today, I would like to pay tribute to two other important groups of people - parents and supporters.

Every Parent a Supportive Partner

11.Parents, you have been with your children from the beginning of their journey, from them learning to kick a ball to progressing to representing their schools in competitions [picture of parents at NSG]. As parents, we wear many hats. Our supportive behaviours are crucial in shaping our children's values system. Let us be their role models, especially during challenging times. Showing respect to teachers, coaches and match officials, even when things are not going the way we want them to, will positively impact our children.

12.We can inspire them to celebrate effort and strength of character, not just wins. When we give our children the opportunity to experience temporary setbacks, we allow them to grow. Just like how a beautiful butterfly can only emerge after a period of struggle, struggles and challenges are necessary to enable our children to soar in the future.

Every Spectator a Respectful, Responsible and Caring Motivator

13.Another key source of support for our student athletes is from spectators. In the tapestry of sports, the influence of spectators is often undervalued [picture of spectators at NSG]. Spectators are often a source of energy, excitement and encouragement for the athletes. The fervent supporters of many football clubs are often known as their 12th man. A roar of encouragement from the spectators can be a big source of inspiration even for professional athletes [picture of NSG Spectators' Creed]. Let's use this energy positively to uplift all athletes in NSG. We can do this without making anyone feel disrespected or devalued. A positive and respectful cheering culture fosters an environment of healthy competition and mutual respect.

14.As spectators, we have the privilege to contribute positively to the athletes' experience. Today, you are armed with the power of the NSG Beat². Use this beat to collectively cheer on all participants, regardless of which school they come from. Student-athletes too can become supportive motivators for your fellow competitors, as in the example I shared earlier of our young jumpers. So, let us all strive to be respectful, responsible, and caring spectators.

Conclusion

15.I began by asking what we would like to achieve together and what we should aim for [picture of softball team huddled]. I truly hope that we can see beyond winning and aim to create an environment where every student can strive in their chosen sport and grow into a well-rounded individual. Parents, teachers, coaches and friends all play pivotal roles in contributing to the rich development of every student athlete. Together, we can create a unique NSG experience for all involved.

16.I wish all of you every success in this year's NSG. Play hard, play fair and enjoy the games - together!

17.Thank you.

Footnotes

1. Pool format - Teams are grouped into various pools based on the preceding year's NSG results. This would put teams of similar abilities in the same group from the first round of competition, minimising matches which may result in wide goal differences.

2. NSG Beat - A cheer that will be taught to the audience at the opening ceremony and will be used to welcome the Minister and the torch bearers during the ceremony.

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