YSA football tournament’s goal – racial harmony

With racial bonding as the goal, more than 200 footballers came together to participate in the Fourth YSA “Racial Harmony” 4-A-Side Football Tournament on Sunday, 14 January 2007 at the Cage at Jalan Benaan Kapal. The indoor tournament attracted 32 teams, surpassing the target of 30 teams, as was the case in the past three years.

Mr Zainudin Nordin, Mayor of Central Singapore CDC and Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, was the guest-of-honour. He participated in an exhibition match involving players from different ethnic groups, professions and backgrounds. He then officially started the full-day tournament.

Mr Zainudin stated: “Whilst there are many efforts by the government and non-government organisations to promote racial appreciation and understanding, which have reaped their rewards, we must continue in our confidence building efforts so that the glue that binds the Singapore society continues to remain strong” He added that, “This effort by YSA is commendable, for it combines many objectives. In addition to building racial ties, it promotes healthy living and lifestyle. What’s more, soccer is an activity which is popular with everyone and is able to transcend all boundaries.”

Mr Hernaikh Singh, President, YSA stated: “This is the fourth year that we are organising this event. We believe that we have found a right formula where we are able to bring Singaporeans of all races and walks of life together in an environment of fun and sports, and be able to promote the important message of all Singaporeans knowing and understanding each other in a more intense manner.”

In an effort to involve all the races in Singapore, YSA invited the self-help groups and the Harmony Centre to participate in the tournament. In addition, the expatriate communities were also invited to the event, in line with the effort to integrate the new Singaporeans into the local society.

The audience was entertained with 96 thrilling matches of football, in which SINDA Invitational emerged champions after a hard fought 1-0 win over Qaidis C in the final.

As in 2006, there were also a “Ball Juggling” and “Target Shooting” competitions, in which Jurong Boyz Z’s participant, Babu, won in target Shooting while Manpreet Singh from Qaidis C proved to be the best at ball juggling.

The annual tournament is 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 is 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.

This year’s tournament was supported by the Central Singapore Community Development Council, National Youth Council, with a grant through its Youth Development Fund, and Singapore Sports Council, while Singapore Pools and Singapore Totalisator Board were “Partners in Sports” for this tournament. This event was a project of “Imagine” (Central Singapore CDC).