Assoc Prof Ho Peng Kee applauds YSA’s “Racial Harmony” football tournament

YSA started the year with no less a bang than it did in the previous year. More than 220 players and supporters from different ethnic groups and background turned up for its Second “Racial Harmony” 4-A-Side Football Tournament on 9 January 2005. The event was held at Kolam Ayer CC. It was a full house with 30 teams, representing the self-help groups, community club, and neighbourhood and other social groups.

The guest-of-honour, Assoc Prof Ho Peng Kee, Senior Minister for Law and Home Affairs, started off the tournament in the morning by participating in an exhibition match among players from various ethnic groups. He also took the opportunity to address the players and supporters. He congratulated YSA on taking this initiative to bring the different communities together through the medium of sports. He stated that the prospect for local soccer was bright, given the improvement in the standard of the S-League over the years. He called on those present to support to Singapore soccer so that it would continue to grow.

It was a day full of fun and excitement. It brought together some very interesting teams and players. Some teams had players as young as nine. Following a day of stiff competition, Nehta Ji Boyz took the first spot by comfortably beating Maestros Inc. in the final. Milan X took third spot.

The event was aimed at bringing youths of different ethnic groups together to interact and network for greater rapport and camaraderie, while at the same time promoting a healthy and sporting lifestyle among the Singaporeans. It was also geared to create a platform for a better understanding between the Sikh and other ethnic communities and for learning to appreciate each other better.

The event was supported by the Central Singapore Community Development Council, National Youth Council, with a grant through its Youth Development Fund, Singapore Sports Council and Kolam Ayer CSC and IRCC, while Singapore Pools is the “Partner in Sports” for this tournament.