SEA Games - Only 3 bronze medals. Asia Masters 16 golds, 12 silvers and 14 bronzes

'NEW CLARK CITY, Philippines: The lack of "stable governance" within the athletics fraternity has cost its athletes, said Singapore Sports Institute’s (SSI) head of high performance and athlete life Richard Gordon, following the sport’s poor outing at the 30th SEA Games.
“We’ve seen a decline in results over the past three SEA Games. We’ve done a lot of work behind the scenes in terms of trying to help (them) to stabilise,” said Mr Gordon at a wrap-up press conference on Wednesday (Dec 11)....

Singapore’s athletics contingent did not win a gold or silver at this year's Games. It bagged three bronze - two courtesy of Shanti Pereira in the 100m and 200m finals and one from Nur Izlyn Zaini in the 100m hurdles.'

The above is quoted in CNA. Singapore's athletes performed miserably in the recent SEA Games held in Manila, without a gold or silver medal. In another report by CNA, 'Team Singapore will send its biggest away contingent to the SEA Games this year, with 647 athletes from 48 sports, the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) announced Thursday (Aug 1).'

I am not sure how many of the 647 athletes are in track and field events but the number must be quite substantial and the amount spent as well. In contrast, Singapore masters athletes competed in the 21st Asia Masters Athletics Championship in Kuching, Sarawak, about the same time and came back with 16 golds, 12 silvers and 14 bronze medals from a contingent of slightly more than 100 athletes.

And mind you, the masters athletes went there to compete, to represent Singapore, to fly the Singapore flag, without getting a single cent from the govt in subsidies. They paid for their own training, with coaches providing free services and advises, and they paid for their registration fees, hotels and air tickets and all expenses. The masters athletes self financed their participation in an international event, to represent their country and flying the Singapore flag in glory, from their very own pockets.

No one can claim this as money well spent but the masters athletes. When would the govt show its appreciation and support for the masters athletes for bringing fame and recognition to Singapore? In this particular event, the masters athletes did not even have track suits or running apparels issued by the state. They have to used old track suits and running apparels. Some have to borrow old track suits from other athletes just to take part in the march past during the opening and closing ceremonies to show that they are from Singapore.

Would the govt think it is better to divert some funds to support the masters athletes for their effort and the golds, silvers and bronzes they brought home in the name of Singapore than to spend millions on the athletes that could not even bring in a single gold or silver medal from the SEA Games after spending millions on them?

The next big masters event is in July 2020 in Toronto, Canada, the World Masters Athletics Championship. Would there be any funds from the govt to support this event and the masters athletes participating? Or would the masters athletes still be footing their own bills and paying for their own track suits with the word Singapore proudly embolden on them? Would the govt think it is more rewarding and better returns for the money spent, to support the masters athletes?

Supporting the masters athletes is value for money. Also to make good all the talks about appreciating the senior citizens, to stay healthy and active in the golden age. The least that the govt could do is to support the masters athletes at the same level as para athletes. Is this too much to ask?