Have you TRI(ed) it?
By Sebastian Ong
THINK of triathlons and many will conjure up images of muscled individuals taking on three grueling consecutive events – swimming, cycling and running.
These events are a sure test for an athlete’s physical and mental strengths.
On the contrary, the inaugural Tri-factor Series 2009 is introduced for the first time in Singapore and aimed at first timers to the sport of triathlon.
The Series divided the triathlon into its three components and spread them out throughout the year. For each component amateurs will need to take part during training events leading up to the final event – the triathlon race.
The Tri-factor Series 2009’s final triathlon event was held at East Coast Park last Sunday.
Joel Yuen, 10, a primary school student taking part in a triathlon for the first time said he had always wanted to take part in a triathlon but was afraid he could not complete the race. He has only been taking part in biathlons.
He said, “This series helped me build up my confidence to complete the race.”
Joel has been training three times a week for the triathlon and the fit youth finished strong in his category. He came in top 10.
Registration fees were also adjusted to make it more affordable for amateurs. As compared to the more established triathlons like Osim triathlon and Aviva Ironman, the fees of the Tri-factor Series were almost half the price.
Undergraduate Kelvin Kow, 25, said the registration fee was a big motivation for him to take part in this series.
He said, “The total amount I spent for the four events in this series cost me less than S$200,” he added, “I hope the organizers can maintain this pricing for future Tri-factor series events.”
This year’s Tri-factor series triathlon also incorporated the Cross Company Challenge (CCC) which allows participants to join this event as a group representing their own organisations.
The winner of the CCC went to Hewlett-Packard (HP). HP Tri team was out in full force on Sunday’s event with over 100 participants in the corporate challenge.
Chan Sian Leng, 45, marketing manager at HP, said that this series helped encourage him and his colleagues to exercise more regularly to prepare for the final challenge, the triathlon race.
He said, “Ever since we signed up for the series, we have been training regularly as a team every week.” He added, “It is also a good bonding session for colleagues.”
The event attracted a total of 1,680 participants of different skill levels. Triathletes from 31 different countries flew in to Singapore especially for this event. The triathlon had three categories to match the skill levels – freshman, sprint and Olympic distances.
Bittersweet Farewell Match for Singapore’s Finest Striker — Noh Alam Shah
By Chin Chia Hwee
THE stadium was far from full on Friday night despite an entertaining farewell match for Singapore’s most prolific striker who led his side to a 3-1 victory against the Sengkang-Punggol team.
Noh Alam Shah kept his side, Tampines Rovers, in the title chase by bagging a hat-trick in his last S-league match, in front of empty seats and a small quiet crowd. The national captain had earlier stirred controversy over the local league, citing the league’s stagnancy and low attendance at matches as a driving force for him to find new motivations abroad.
“It’s terrible to see empty stadium — I’ve lost all motivation,” Alam Shah said. “It’s time for the S-League to wake up and win the fans back.”
Only a thousand-odd spectators witnessed the spectacular farewell performance by one of Singapore’s finest goal poachers in the Jalan Besar Stadium. Nobody denied his quality though – at least not those who turned up.
Tay Wee Keat, a 20 year-old student said, “He played really well today and S-league is losing one of its best players.”
However, it was Sengkang that provided the early excitement. A defence mix up gave the Dolphins striker, Abdoulaye Diallo, a clear chance at goal only to be denied by the Stag’s custodian, Hassan Sunny. Tampines Rovers slowly got a grip of the match. It was no surprise that it was Alam Shah who provided the breakthrough. Beating an off-line trap, Alam Shah converted an easy opportunity in the 13th minute.
The first half ended with not many clear-cut opportunities for both sides. Some spectators were spotted leaving the stadium after the half-time whistle was blown.
Albert Tan, a 42-year-old mechanic cited a lack of atmosphere in the stadium.
“It is like watching a film in the theater! There is no connection between the match and us, unlike last time,” he said. He went on to reminisce about the times “die-hard” fans packed the National Stadium during the Golden Era when Singapore was still playing in the Malaysia Cup.
The second half proved more entertaining as The Dolphins snatched a quick equaliser through a beautifully converted goal by Sengkang forward, Anthony Bahadur.
However, it was Alam Shah who shone through the rest of the match. Capitalizing on a fast break on the 55th minute, Alam Shah received the ball and lifted it beyond The Dolphin’s goalie to give Tampines the lead. In the final moments, Alam Shah completed his Man of the Match performance with a spectacular effort from distance, securing the victory and keeping Tampines in the title chase.
The match ended with the few remaining spectators scrambling to the exit. With some other players contemplating a move to foreign clubs as well, the S-league is facing a huge challenge.
Fans celebrate the Lions’ roar at Jalan Besar Stadium
By Chu Wen Shen
SOCCER fans celebrated the victory of Singapore’s soccer stars, from the past and present who did the double over their Selangor counterparts in the Sultan of Selangor’s Cup 2009, last Sunday evening at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
The Singapore Lions played two matches. The veteran side, featuring legends such as Fandi Ahmad, Dollah Kassim and Malek Awab, kicked off the curtain-raiser match against their Selangor veteran opponents. The official match featuring the Singapore national team started after the conclusion of the curtain-raiser match.
The veterans were greeted with a standing ovation by the fans when they marched out of the tunnel.
Mohammed Hafiz, 25, lab technician, was among the fans who cheered in unison when Singapore’s favorite soccer legend, Fandi Ahmad, applauded the fans in appreciation as he walked onto the pitch.
“I grew up watching these guys play. Watching the Malaysia Cup with my dad on TV was my fondest childhood memory,” said the die-hard Lions fan.
“Today is very special for me because it’s almost like a return to the good old days of the Malaysia Cup.”
The Singapore team has clinched the Malaysia Cup title for 24 times, and was coined the second most successful team after Selangor. Singapore officially withdrew from the competition after a dispute with the Malaysian Football Association over gate receipts revenue.
Dollah Kassim, well-known for his amazing dribbling skills, was affectionately known as “Gelek King” to the fans. He was clearly the fan favourite of the match.
Fans greeted him with “oohs” and “aahs” whenever he got a touch of the ball, expecting a glimpse of his amazing dribbling skills that brought him much fame.
The match concluded with a thrilling penalty shoot-out which the veteran Lions won 4-1.
However, the celebration was cut short when Dollah Kassim collapsed at the team bench after being substituted at the 10th minute. It was believed that the veteran striker suffered a heart attack.
“My heart skipped a beat when I saw ‘Dol’ staggered off the field and sat slumped at the team bench. I certainly pray that he’ll be alright,” said avid soccer fan, Wong Siang Wei, 28, unemployed, who was part of the capacity crowd.
The tense atmosphere dispelled immediately when the main match between the Singapore Lions and Selangor Selection kicked off to a roaring start.
The Singapore Lions started with an aggressive formation of 4-2-3-1, with 39-year-old veteran Aleksander Duric playing as lone striker up front.
The talented trio of Indra Sahdan Daud, Shahril Ishak and Park Tae Won, playing behind Duric, provided him with support.
Just under half an hour into the match, Jalan Besar Stadium went into a frenzy of celebration when Indra Sahdan Daud grabbed the first goal with a volley from outside the penalty box.
The excitement continued when Aleksander Duric doubled the lead on the 35th minute. The Lions wrapped up the victory with a well-placed free kick by John Wilkinson just before half-time.
“I really enjoyed tonight. But, all good things come to an end, doesn’t it?” joked Derek Zheng, 23, student.
Tonight is truly a tribute to the Lions, and their fans.
