So you probably know who's Peter Gade Christensen. You're awfully sporty, Liz. Remind me to never play badminton with you then. The last time I played badminton was when I was in primary school.
Badminton is the de facto sport here although its popularity has waned in recent years. We used to be very good although I must add that our heydays were really only during the colonial times when we had shuttlers who were able to challenge for the likes of the Thomas Cup as well as the All England.
But since you are intimately connected with the sport, do you know Taufik Hidayat? I really adore his drop shot as well as his backhand smash. Singapore hosts the Aviva Open every year and I had the opportunity to watch him duel against top seed Lin Dan and the match was as exciting as any popular football derby.
I probably didn't play as many sports as you did. Honestly speaking, I am only confident in one sport and that is squash. I fully expect to be utterly humiliated in every other sport I dabble in - tennis, golf, cricket, football, table-tennis. Like you, I am not a good short-distance hurtler but I tend to do rather well for the middle distance range (2 to 5 km) as it was my speciality in the army. Every year, we have a physical fitness test for soldiers and reservists alike in which we have to run 2.4 km as part of the test. I was pretty decent running 2.4 km back then if you wish to consider recreational running as a sort of sport. A gold timing obliges the runner to clock a timing below 9 min 45 seconds.
As for cricket's popularity in Singapore, a cursory glance at the ICC League rankings paints a fuller picture: Singapore is only ranked 30th in the world. I do not attribute the derisory ranking to a paucity of talent but rather a dearth of involvement at the grassroots level. Most cricketers here are club players and none of them are professionals. I was involved in the sport only in secondary school. Cricket is really seen as an "Indian" sport here and the more racist amongst us would not want to be seen playing this sport.
So it is really laughable when you associate cricket with middle-upper classes. In the Indian subcontinent, cricket is played everywhere. I like to relate a story of how my friend went to Mumbai for a varsity tennis competition. He was in a taxi and there was a massive jam. He asked the taxi driver about the cause of the jam and was enlightened when he replied that some boys were playing cricket in the middle of a road ahead and that was hence the reason for the gridlock.
Apart from the Indian subcontinent, cricket is also played by virtually everyone in the English-speaking Carribean. It is basically the only sport which they are good at on the international stage but petty internecine strife between the West Indian islands have resulted in a drastic decline in standards.
In Sri Lanka, the leader of the breakaway terrorist outfit, the Tamil Tigers, postponed his aeroplane raid on the seaside capital of Colombo on the eve of the cricket world cup final because he is renowned to be cricket mad.
In Australia, cricket is actually the most popular sport of choice. However, I'd say Aussie Rules football continues to define the Australian character because it is an indigeneous sport after all and almost everyone in Australia seems to have a favourite rugby or Aussie rules football club to support. Association Rules football is making inroads in Australia much to the disquiet of fans of the other football codes. Not too long ago, soccer was actually seen by many Australians as a sport for Sheilas, Wogs and Pooftas (women, European immigrants and homosexuals in Australian speak).
In NZ, cricket is the national summer sport. I am always hence constantly bemused whenever people continue to make this erroneous association of cricket as a snobbish sort of sport with highfalutin notions of fair play and gentlemanly behaviour. All very commendable indeed, but the belief that cricket is character building is only alive in the public schools all over the world modelled after the English ones. Outside of this exalted realm, it is win at all cost.
My cricket channel in Singapore is basically an Indian channel and if you were to ever watch their advertisements, you'd realise how cricket mad that country is. Many advertisements employ cricketing themes: there was a 7Up advert in which a boy frustratedly practises his tennis backhand in vain before a 7Up mascot popped out from nowhere to hand him a cricket bat.
Or a ridiculous one by Visa about Sachin Tendulkar batting with the Visa logo emblazoned on each ball.
Due to the Indian influx (the percentage of Indians in Singapore have crept up from the traditional 7% to 10% in recent years), the sport is receiving a massive fillip. The SCA (Singapore Cricket Association) aims to have our country be a Test playing nation by 2020. I am awaiting this day with bated breath.
By the way, cricket is not really a middle-class pursuit in Yorkshire. I've read the autobiography of Ian Botham, an England all-rounder from the 80s, and he wrote that cricket is as much working class in the North as rugby league and football. _________________ Hillary Clinton is an acquired taste which I have clearly yet to acquire.
You're awfully sporty, Liz. Remind me to never play badminton with you then. The last time I played badminton was when I was in primary school.
Although I like doing sports and playing games, I was always considered "spastic" by my peers and P.E. teachers alike back at school because I wasn't fast.
I decided to play badminton professionally because I've always been good at playground badminton. Okay, not always -- I was quite lousy at it until me dad taught me playing it well. I didn't know it was slightly different from badminton as a competitive sport. Only the one gets points who served when the partner misses the ball. My partners almost always missed the ball after they had served, which was rather unfortunate from my point of view. So, I didn't last there too long. Not to mention that bloody short distance running in the beginning of the training.
So, why not play badminton with you? It's not a matter of life and death.
loic wrote:
Badminton is the de facto sport here although its popularity has waned in recent years. We used to be very good although I must add that our heydays were really only during the colonial times when we had shuttlers who were able to challenge for the likes of the Thomas Cup as well as the All England.
Is it? I'm taken aback, however, it's good news to hear. It isn't really taken seriously in Hungary. Most people think it's Mickey Mouse, easy-peasy lemon sqeezy alibi sport.
loic wrote:
But since you are intimately connected with the sport, do you know Taufik Hidayat?
Unfortunately no. I haven't got the foggiest. But he's got a nice name.
loic wrote:
So it is really laughable when you associate cricket with middle-upper classes.
Laughable or not, that was my impression somehow. I didn't say it's justified as I'm pretty ignorant of the issue and thus I can't speak with authority. Now I see I'm mistaken.
Oh Dear...you know your onions, Loic. You could write a book on the history of cricket.
loic wrote:
I am always hence constantly bemused whenever people continue to make this erroneous association of cricket as a snobbish sort of sport with highfalutin notions of fair play and gentlemanly behaviour. All very commendable indeed, but the belief that cricket is character building is only alive in the public schools all over the world modelled after the English ones. Outside of this exalted realm, it is win at all cost.
I didn't say cricket was snobbish -- that was golf. Besides, "upper class" and "upper middle class" aren't pejorative adjectives in my book at all.
Anyway, there is nothing wrong with character building. _________________ Az alvástól megéhezem. Az evéstől elálmosodom. Az élet szép.
I think you're self-deprecating, Liz. You might not be as fast as lightning but you would still have possessed all the neccessary attributes such as a quick reaction, superb eye-hand co-ordination, agility, nimbleness and a fair bit of switness in order to succeed at badminton.
Speaking of badminton, the sport has undergone a seachange as far as the scoring system is concerned. I remembered that it used to be server's point back when I was in primary school and matches meander interminably till 15 points. You do not watch much badminton, I take it? Taufik Hidayat is the top shuttler for Indonesia and as you are probably aware, the world powerhouses in the sport are Indonesia, China and to a lesser extent, India and Malaysia.
That is why I mentioned Peter Gade Christensen in my opening sentence. For so long, he has been the only European to successfully challenge for top honours. I remember his blonde fiancee as well who also happens to be a badminton player. A very good looking couple, if you ask me.
Playing badminton burns a lot of calories in an hour. It is a lot like squash, I suppose. Of course, there are as many differences as there are similarities. Have you tried squash, by the way? I know squash is a fairly Commonwealth sport, but if you had dabbled with badminton, you must surely have heard of squash.
I apologise if I had been a bit aggressive in defending the plebeian nature of cricket. I merely wanted to demonstrate why the notion of cricket being all about the refined sound of leather against willow is out-of-date. However, some vestiges of the earlier Victorian ethos continue to survive in the sport. For example, a player who swears in the vicinity of an umpire does so on pain of a fine. Players do not dispute the decisions of umpires even if the umpires, who are mostly old fat men anyway, are mistaken. This is totally different from football where enraged players sometimes gather around the referee in a bid to rough him up.
As for the allegedly snobbish nature of golf, I think this must be a European thing. Golf must be expensive in Europe. Over here, it is not. I am not going so far as to say golf is dirt cheap in Singapore, but let's just say that it is a myth that one needs thousands of dollars to play the sport. I seldom go to the golf course, preferring to perfect my shots in the driving range. When I do play on the course, I'd choose off-peak hours where demand for tee time is not as ferocious. Besides, I have a tendency to melt down whenever I am teeing off in front of strangers. Playing before others always seem to bring out the worst in me.
Maybe the only 'snobbish' aspect of golf is the sport's strict adherence to correct attire. However, I've played golf in bermudas before so I do not think the dress code is very severe. The club managers are just obsessed with a collar t-shirt; they are allergic to t-shirts, it seems.
I still remember one particularly memorable golfing experience. I chose an executive golf course which was definitely cheaper for me. I sliced the ball into the trees adjacent to the rough and a monkey actually scampered across the fairway moments later with my ball in its hands.
Suffice to say, I took a mulligan, meaning I teed off again without a penalty stroke. _________________ Hillary Clinton is an acquired taste which I have clearly yet to acquire.
You're right -- I don't. It doesn't get much publicity here. I've never seen a single match on TV because they aren't broadcast. On which channels could I see them? I don't think I have such channels. However, I've seen many championships live.
loic wrote:
Playing badminton burns a lot of calories in an hour. It is a lot like squash, I suppose. Of course, there are as many differences as there are similarities. Have you tried squash, by the way? I know squash is a fairly Commonwealth sport, but if you had dabbled with badminton, you must surely have heard of squash.
Of course I did. I used to know lots of people in England who played squash and it's quite big in Hungary nowadays, however, I've never tried it but I might want to one time. Quite honestly, I prefer "normal" tennis but I can't really play it as I've tried it only a couple of times.
loic wrote:
I apologise if I had been a bit aggressive in defending the plebeian nature of cricket.
No hard feelings. However, I don't think you were aggressive. It's pretty natural to feel sensitive on issues you are deeply involved in.
loic wrote:
Playing before others always seem to bring out the worst in me.
I loathe it, too. It's especially embarrassing to dance when others are watching you, let alone working out in a crowded gym. Some people don't seem to be intimidated by neither of these situations, though.
loic wrote:
As for the allegedly snobbish nature of golf, I think this must be a European thing. Golf must be expensive in Europe.
It's bloody expensive...leastways, it *is* over here. It requires considerable amount of money to set up an only halfway decent golf course and buy all the necessary pieces of equipment. Although it's not a matter of life and death in this case (unlike in the case of, say, mountain climbing), I still think you shouldn't choose the sort of gadgets you can find in Tescoes but rather some quality stuff instead. At least if you wanna play it professionally -- otherwise the self-made things my cousin and I used to have will suffice and do just fine.
loic wrote:
Maybe the only 'snobbish' aspect of golf is the sport's strict adherence to correct attire. However, I've played golf in bermudas before so I do not think the dress code is very severe. The club managers are just obsessed with a collar t-shirt; they are allergic to t-shirts, it seems.
Well, I have to say you hit the nail on the head! That's exactly what I'm talking about. Sometimes when I'm watching golf championships I have the feeling that they pay much more attention to the attire than to the play itself. Okay, I'm exaggerating slightly, and it may not be so in the case of professionals but I know some rich people (mostly the nouveau riche who are inherently prone to exaggerate things a bit) who are preoccupied with the dress code, even if they play it as a hobby only. I don't see the obsession with collared shirts...I seem to be just the opposite -- I have a peculiar aversion towards collared shirts and I like T-shirts. It might has got something to do with my buttoned blouses and shirts "phobia", too. I've always hated to wear them - I don't wear them, anyway.
loic wrote:
I still remember one particularly memorable golfing experience. I chose an executive golf course which was definitely cheaper for me. I sliced the ball into the trees adjacent to the rough and a monkey actually scampered across the fairway moments later with my ball in its hands.
Poor you...I wouldn't have been in your place. _________________ Az alvástól megéhezem. Az evéstől elálmosodom. Az élet szép.
Location: San Francisco, Noord-Kalifornië, Noord-Amerika
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 12:59 am Post subject:
loic wrote:
I still remember one particularly memorable golfing experience. I chose an executive golf course which was definitely cheaper for me. I sliced the ball into the trees adjacent to the rough and a monkey actually scampered across the fairway moments later with my ball in its hands.
I'm laughing out loud, picturing that! It should be in a movie.
Unfortunately, that course is infested with our simian cousins. They are not even scared of golf balls. Nor would they shriek from them even if you were to shout 'Fore!' as manly as possible.
Liz, I am not too sure about badminton channels. Over here, they are shown on terrestrial channels and they are often given a delayed telecast past the witching hour. Badminton can be a little monotoneous if the quality of play on offer is uninspiring. Watching women's badminton used to be a pain in the neck, but the prospects are looking much brighter especially since they have started wearing cute skirts and tighter tops.
As for golfing attire, I think many golfers are actually quite boring in their fashion sense. No sartorical value at all. There are a few snappy dressers on the PGA tour, but most simply stick to the boring polo shirt-trousers routine. Here is one golfer I used to lionise because I thought he looks so cool with shades:
Former world number 1, David Duval. Nowadays, he actually struggles to make the cut in the more prominent Opens but still gets invited to Masters by virtue of his former greatness.
As you have noticed, he dresses in drab liveless colours. Most male golfers are very uncreative in the wardrobe department - displaying their sponsor logos are more important than power dressing.
I would like all golfers to rever back to the dressing of yore:
This is Harry Vardon whose eponymous grip is my grip of choice. By the way, I doubt the likes of Jim Furyk, Phil Mikelson or Tiger Woods are going to make a creditable challenge for any Opens or Masters if they were to dress like that.
Needless to say, golf is not the sport to play if you want to look preppy. Golf somehow makes you look patrician irrespective of your age.
Play tennis instead!
Damn! Why does my cricket sweater not fit me as snugly as that? Courtesy of Ralph Polo Lauren, by the way. _________________ Hillary Clinton is an acquired taste which I have clearly yet to acquire.
Damn! Why does my cricket sweater not fit me as snugly as that? Courtesy of Ralph Polo Lauren, by the way.[/quote]
That's right! It'd be interesting to see you in such a sweater. Or well, just if it could fit you as well as it fits this model! _________________ Karout hep bezań karet
A zo kriz ha kalet
Watching women's badminton used to be a pain in the neck, but the prospects are looking much brighter especially since they have started wearing cute skirts and tighter tops.
I can assure you that I didn't wear those things...grrrr...
loic wrote:
As for golfing attire, I think many golfers are actually quite boring in their fashion sense. No sartorical value at all.
Are you insinuating that golfers should be paragons of sartorial elegance? Mind you, they are positive they are dressed up impeccably. What kind of attire would you advise them to wear? (What a dodgy sentence structure...Does it makes sense at all?)
loic wrote:
Needless to say, golf is not the sport to play if you want to look preppy. Golf somehow makes you look patrician irrespective of your age.
Play tennis instead!
Damn! Why does my cricket sweater not fit me as snugly as that? Courtesy of Ralph Polo Lauren, by the way.
Oh, no... Tennis is another "good-sport-but-lousy-attire" type of thing. This man looks like a bit of a metrosexual, doesn't he? Not my cup of tea, really Besides, sweaters with shorts seem like a rather off-the-wall idea to me. _________________ Az alvástól megéhezem. Az evéstől elálmosodom. Az élet szép.
I beg to differ, really. Tennis has very attractive attire if the players respect the spirit of the game. No Rafeal Nadal style singlets for me. More Andy Roddick Lacoste polo shirts, please.
Besides, women's tennis is the only women sport I watch for obvious reasons!
In the early 2000s, an English squash player proposed this as the new attire for women:
Miss Vicky Botwright had her request turned down by the reactionary squash association, much to my dismay!
As for golfing attire, I think Jesper Parvenik has an innate sense of style - or has a girlfriend who tells him what to wear.
_________________ Hillary Clinton is an acquired taste which I have clearly yet to acquire.
You are right...generally, they have very attractive attire. Only some of the guys look like metrosexuals.
However, I've never been enthusiastic about Lacoste poloshirts with a lizard on them. Okay, it's a crocodile...
The new attire proposed for female squash players would do just fine if a new branch of squash were proposed, too: water quash! I'd propose speedos for male squash players:
I have a better idea, though...what about G-Strings? Wearing them is not only our privilege, as shown in this picture:
As for Jesper Parvenik, I think I'd go for your second alternative...a girlfriend who has got taste among many other positive qualities always comes in handy...not just in the figurative sense. By the way, hasn't he got a stylist? You didn't list this option, did you? _________________ Az alvástól megéhezem. Az evéstől elálmosodom. Az élet szép.
Goodness! Male squash players would be hounded into extinction the moment they step inside the courts wearing that tiny piece of garment. Besides, we are also painfully alive to the existence of nationwide scrutiny the moment Wispa (the international squash body) mandates such attire for all players.
But for female squash players, it is different! Haha. I cannot say why the same rules do not apply. I'd just like to reiterate my disappointment when Vicky Botwright's request to play in a thong was turned down. In fact, I was ribbing my female squash mates about the possibility of having to turn out for competition in that attire and it thrilled me to no end to listen to their lame excuses of how they would wear no such thing - at least, in public. _________________ Hillary Clinton is an acquired taste which I have clearly yet to acquire.
Oh Dear...we are going to descend (LOL!) or ascend (?) into a fashion thread...
Edwardian chic is very elegant, I feel. However, those cylinders come accross as slightly comical through my "21st century modernised, deprived of the last vestiges of aesthetic flair" eyes. The guy in the middle seems to be too young to wear such a hat.
Let's not carry on with our conversation within the narrow confines of tennis attire. Here is a nice picture of a pretty woman from the Victorian era, playing golf:
Although this woman is undoubtedly well-dressed, I don't think male adorers of women's golf (if there is such a thing) would be particularly overjoyed to see those ladies in clothes like this. All the interesting and exciting parts of her body is covered, to the greatest disappointment of male viewers who have a burning desire for seeing those women in a swimsuit. C'est la vie. _________________ Az alvástól megéhezem. Az evéstől elálmosodom. Az élet szép.
I suppose our merry diversion into fashion is inevitable, given that there is only so much we can talk about national football teams from Europe.
Speaking of football, have you read about Thierry Henry moving to Barcelona? What a shock. My heart skipped a beat when I read it. But maybe it would not be a catastrophe for all Gunners out there. Our future lies in Arsene Wenger and Cesc Fabregas and while I would love to see our captain serving out his final years at the Emirates, it is received wisdom that our former linchpin has left his best years behind.
I was skimming the sport pages today and I saw a few photos from the Royal Ascot which instantly made me think of this thread, seeing how we have been discussing about the merits and demerits of being dressed to please in a sport.
I would not say that the jockeys are at the epitome of sartorial elegance. I think the horses are more majestic than their lilliputian riders. But the trouble which all the guests take to getting into the spirit of the occasion simply blows me away.
It seems that a morning frock and a top hat are de riguer for men, especially if they are visiting the Royal Enclosure.
By the way, that lady dresses like a tart. A high-class callgirl, maybe.
PS: I hope she is not some obscure duchess here whom I have inadvertently offended. But I doubt it. _________________ Hillary Clinton is an acquired taste which I have clearly yet to acquire.
She reminds me of Tara Palmer-Tomkinson. She (in the picture) isn't as skinny as her but just as much as vulgar. I guess she isn't a high class call-girl but some obscure duchess whom you have inadvertently offended. Are you sure you were to use the word "inadvertently" in this context? LOL!
Nowadays you can't really tell a duchess from a tart...Sloane Ranger style...Yuck.
PS: A tart can be very delicious...a strawberry tart, for instance. _________________ Az alvástól megéhezem. Az evéstől elálmosodom. Az élet szép.
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Tennis is another "good-sport-but-lousy-attire" type of thing. This man looks like a bit of a metrosexual, doesn't he? Not my cup of tea, really 
