Fairness?

At a recent competition of the Nationals’ Inter-Schools Badminton round robin, I have very strong reasons to believe a questionable judgment was made. Anglican High and Maris Stella High were involved in this incident were playing against each other, deciding who will proceed to the next level of the Nationals which is held yearly.

The match was played over 5 games, namely 3 singles and 2 doubles games in the Lower Secondary Division, commonly known as the C’ Division in the school sporting scene. The event came down right to the very last moment as both sides had won 2 games each, the school that wins the final singles game will win the match and eventually proceed to the next round robin.

As it was held at Tampines Indoor Sports Hall and the match was the last game of the day that was ongoing, spectators from other participating schools and onlookers gathered around to watch the single deciding game that meant a lot to both schools involved.

The game went on to a 3^rd set that dragged on even to deuce at 20 plus points, which in the badminton scene is quite a rare occasion. Both sides were determined to enter the next round. I happened to be a graduate from Maris Stella High; I feel that Singaporeans need to know that the local schools sporting scene does not only promote excellence but should also enforce honesty and fairness in every sport.

Right down to the crucial moment, my school’s player dived to receive a smash from his opponent and managed to receive the shuttlecock over the net. He won the game point. The line-judge, who was from a third-party school, declared the shuttle in the court (which was very obviously within the court) to the umpire(also known as the referee). My school team jumped to their feet, rejoicing and cheering over the victory they would had gave away just moments ago.

At this point, the umpire did not announce the results and which school was the winner, which was questionable as the Rules state that the umpire must declare the winner immediately once the game point was won. The umpire was then seen by many speaking to the opposing team’s head coach, who is a well-known name in the local badminton scene, before declaring to my school’s team that they actually lost as he had judged the shuttlecock out of the court.

This was contrary to the line-judge’s decision and I believed many spectators at the game. My point here is why did the umpire not declared the winner immediately as the Rules stated?  And by having spoken to the opposing team’s coach in private, what happened to affect his final decision in declaring the winning team?

I am encouraged to hear that Singapore will be hosting the Youth Olympic Games, which would bring together the world’s finest youth athletes. Yet, such incidents that might be happening around in the local sporting scene has brought up doubts in my heart such as fairness in the sporting scene.

I am disappointed to know that my school’s team has lost their chance to proceed to the next level. Though having submitted their appeal to the Convener for the games, chances are slim that the judgment be overturned. But I am writing in belief that our sporting scene would become one that is world-class in terms of standards and free of questionable factors.