Picture story by Jolyn Ang
Tampines Sports Hall, Tuesday, May 19 2009 – Jurong Junior College beat Victoria Junior College 3-2 to book themselves a place in the A Division Girls’ Badminton Final.
Their superiority was clear as they swept both singles games. But VJC put up a valiant fight in the doubles, with their first doubles pair easily overpowering their opponents and their second threatening to take their game into the third rubber set. Nonetheless, JJC’s second doubles pair were able to come from behind to take the second set, preventing a rubber set and rubber game showdown.
In the end, JJC, having already won 3-1, forfeited the last singles game, citing illness as their reason for not playing.
A JJC player celebrates a point. (Photo 1 © Jolyn Ang)
A JJC player eyes the action keenly. (Photo 2 © Jolyn Ang)
A VJC player poised to return the shuttle. (Photo 3 © Jolyn Ang)
Amanda and Ying Yi of VJC displayed great chemistry in their 2-0 victory over their opponents. (Photo 4 © Jolyn Ang)
JJC’s first doubles pair in action. (Photo 5 © Jolyn Ang)
Midway through the first doubles game, a man made a complaint about the loud JJC crowd and stood for a period of time in the middle of the court, refusing to move until they were sat down by officials. (Photo 6 © Jolyn Ang)
Initially refusing to quieten down as other colleges at other matches being played at the same time were also standing and cheering, they eventually sat down but were unabated in their school spirit, cheering non-stop for their schoolmates. (Photo 7 © Jolyn Ang)
Yi Ying smiling widely after her win. (Photo 8 © Jolyn Ang)
VJC’s second singles player was constantly placed on her backfoot and hardly stood a chance. (Photo 9 © Jolyn Ang)
JJC’s second singles player made her opponent run all over the court, recording an easy 2-0 victory. (Photo 10 © Jolyn Ang)
VJC’s coach rallies his second doubles pair before the game. (Photo 11 © Jolyn Ang)
VJC’s second doubles pair started off badly, giving away easy points to their opponents, eventually recovering but it was too late as they lost their first set. (Photo 12 © Jolyn Ang)
JJC momentarily lost their momentum late in the first set and early in the second set, falling behind in the second but was able to come from behind to take narrow win. (Photo 13 © Jolyn Ang)
VJC was thus left to rue their missed chances. (Photo 14 © Jolyn Ang)
Personally, I feel that we are all humans, whether they are from China or not. It doesn’t mean that coming from China means they would be much better. If they can juggle their studies and be so good at their badminton, why can’t the local talents do the same? Don’t get me mistaken, I’m not against Singaporeans. I, myself, is a Singaporean.
We all breathe air, don’t we? We all eat food, don’t we? We all drink water, don’t we? Its not like they have a third arm or something. Instead of lamenting their nationality, why not think back, why are they so good and why can’t we beat them?
Singapore’s Silver medal in Table Tennis is also obtained by a former Chinese, isn’t it? Why the discrimination? Put yourself in their shoes, give the poor fellow a break. She just wants to play badminton. Take a step back and reflect, this is the only way Singaporeans can grow and become global leaders.
From china means talented?
What kind of flawed logic is that.
what is printed behind shirts of the foreign talents? its ‘ Team JJ’ which means they are from jj, playing for jj.. why cant u guys give them a break? ultimately, they are here for education..
They wear the PE shirt probably because the shirts sponsered by yonex are dry-fit and uncomfortable. I don’t see any problem with them opting to wear their their PE shirts because ultimately the most important issue is that they are comfortable.
And yes, I believe that most of the JJC players are foreign. Think about it, they are so good because they have been trained from a very young age and back in their home countries they were probably playing full time. Coming to Singapore means that they meet home grown players who juggle studies and cca trainings. While I am not totally against the concept of foreign players as I feel they do help us to improve ourselves, I think there should be a cap on the number of foreign players allowed per team.
Such scenarios where you have almost whole teams consisting of foreign players would only create animosity towards foreign players from the locals, in such a case the reason for foreign exchange, to promote better ties, would be completely lost.
i feel that our players train much harder and more often than those from other schools and they really deserve to win.doesnt matter whether they are from china or not. finals on tuesday 26 may at jurong east sports hall 2pm.
wearing pe attire doesnt mean that they are not good. it makes no different
it’s a matter of opinion.. why care so much? look at team singapore=X
Sigh, I think that the china players are spoiling the market. The local players are no longer given the same opportunities.
does wearing their PE attire mean they don’t represent their school? how do you know that there isn’t any reason behind it? anyway i don’t see any problem with them wearing their PE attire…
Are the JJC badminton players from China? They certainly look like they are. ALL OF THEM. Doesn’t this make it an unfair competition and overshadow the local talents?
i think they are extremely proud of donning in their comfortable pe shirts. it’s called a badminton jersey by the way
hmm….VJC don’t have a badminton uniform? Why were they wearing PE attire ah?