Dear TRS,
I am very angry at how the PA (or PAP?) are exploiting Singaporeans even politicising Sports & profiteering from the World Cup.
It is publicised in the state media that Singaporeans can watch the World Cup for 'free' in Community Clubs (CCs) & officially the PA (People's Association) website states ''The PA, with the support of its Grassroots Organisations will be partnering Singapore Pools and SingTel to hold community ‘live’ screenings of the 2014 FIFA World Cup matches.
Such ’live screenings’ will help bring people who share the same love for football together, to interact and make new friends.''
It all sounded very good but when I visit my CC to watch the matches, the truth is revealed.
Admission: 'FREE'
It does NOT state if priority will be given to Singaporeans. In previous PA events in which I have attended, such as monthly walk-a-jog sessions, a certain group of nationality (mostly PRC nationals) will jump at every chance to hog free drinking water or other goodies after the walk-jog.
If priority isn't given to Singaporeans.
Capacity: 150
Is this a joke? In GE 2011, there were 27,701 voters in Hong Kah North SMC and today only 150 out of 27,701 voters can watch the matches for free??? (0.54 %, not even 1% of residents!)
The PA must NOT under-estimate that only 150 out of 27,000+ voters will go to the CC; this is not a PAP GE rally!
You put 150 chairs there and the PA wants people to shut up and sit down quietly during a soccer match for 2+ hrs???
I am not allowed to shout spontaneous tongue-in-cheek cheers like ''BOO, your team kelong! China Balek Kampung! Brazil Sucks!!! Referee Kayu! Go Korea, Daehan Minguk!!!'' or the PA will ''hand me over to the police''!
No outside food and drinks are allowed.
This was the worst rule.
Tidbits and drinks (hot/cold) are sold in the football loft.
This is acceptable if this was at a private business, food court or restaurant (which primary objective is to maximise monetary profits).
BUT, a soccer match, including injury-time, extra-time, penalty-shootout, trophy celebration can last up to 3 hrs or more! During this duration, I am unable to leave my seat or someone will take over. I am also NOT allowed to bring my own food/drink or go elsewhere to buy cheaper food/drink but only buy more expensive food/drink directly from the PA! If I am thirsty, I am NOT allowed to even drink plain water from my own water bottle!
Where is my freedom of choice as a consumer or even a citizen? Will the PA please stop treating citizens as sheeps?
Bernard Tan Y.J
Reference:
http://www.news.gov.sg/public/sgpc/en/media_releases/agencies/pa/press_r...
http://www.pa.gov.sg/highlights/world-cup-community-screenings-438.html
http://www.tremeritus.com/2014/06/12/stingy-sg-govt-to-screen-just-4-fre...
http://www.tremeritus.com/2014/05/29/singaporeans-first-policy-not-good-...