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Liverpool selling Anfield? What will Shankly say?

As an ardent Liverpool fan, I feel obliged to speak up after reading the news.

Shankly is the manager that made Liverpool a legendary team that won 18 Premier League titles, on par with Manchester United. When Everton left Anfield a few decades ago, Shankly and a few other players stayed on and formed the "Liverpool" team. For quite some time, Liverpool dominated most of the leagues. All this while, Anfield was Liverpool's fortress.

However, the owners of Liverpool now wanted to sell Anfield to raise money to pay off their debts. The decision caused an uproar among Liverpool fans. Quoting Graham Agg, secretary of the German Reds official supporters' club : " The whole idea of leaving Anfield and knocking it down is the biggest act of self- destruction the club ever consider."

I could not agree more. I understand the owners must be under a lot of pressure to clear debts, but selling Anfield should never be on their cards. How can you take away something that represents Liverpool and has so much heritage, history and tradition? It is totally absurd. Would they think the team will train better at another stadium which is unheard of. Liverpool has been slacking and all the more, the owners should not risk the change that may affect their morale.

Bill Shankly once said: " Above all, I would like to be remembered as a man who was selfless, who strove and worried so that others could share the glory, and who built up a family of people who could hold their heads up high and say, ' We are Liverpool ' "

I see this change more of an act of self-destruction. I am not optimistic that it will bring better fate for the Liverpool team.

Raise tough leaders, not "fragile strawberries"

Indeed, when I first read this headline on The Straits Times dated 28 Feb 2010, it probed me to read on. The reporter mentioned that young teenagers nowadays are spending too much time in front of the computer and the television. I could not agree more. My ex-teacher once said that the generation Z are like “fragile strawberries”, considering that their parents accede to their every request and wish. Therefore, they are not independent and once they come out to the real, merciless world, they are doomed.

Senior Minister Goh said that the children are too protected and that they never get to taste hardship until they grow older, which by then would be too late.

What is the solution then? Scouting, SM Goh said. “Scouting builds character and nurtures the young to be independent and resilient,” he added. Celebrating the scouts hundred anniversary, he shared an anecdote when he was a scout.

“I was lost for a whole day in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve when I took a hiking test for my First Class badge in the 1950s. Without a reference point, I and my hiking companion could not use the compass to plot our way out. So, we used the sun as a guide and headed west, but we went deeper into the forest. Night came, but were still stuck in the forest. Plus, it rained. Nobody was aware that we were lost. At that time, there was no cell phone. I thought of my mother. We then stumbled out of the forest after more than a day of pushing through the dense underbrush of its height. I failed my test,” he said.

However, he did not throw in the towel. Instead, he tried again and this time, he earned his badge.

How many teenagers dare to say that they never gave up , persevered and eventually succeeded? I guess not many. I must admit I also take the easy way out at times. Many adults call us the generation of the strawberries. All the suicide news of children taking their own lives when they failed the school examination made me wonder if we are really behaving like strawberries. This is something we should not be proud of. One of my favourite catch- phrases is “Get a life!” There are many things we can do, do charity, play football, catch a movie, visit your relatives, whatever it is, just do it! There is more to life than just playing computer games. To toughen up, you have to start somewhere. You can find a CCA which you can sweat it out under the sun, that is why I am in water polo and I am way better than those who still needs their parents to move their legs or kick the water for them.

So, to those teens who are still under their parents protective wings, give it a try and do without any help, for just a day, then a week and in no time, you will know if you dare to try, the sky is the limit. The next opportunity for you to learn to be more independent is the 2 day 1 night camp at St. John Island. Be there to enjoy the freedom!

Chess, a nerd's game?

International chess, nowadays, have been misunderstood and nicknamed as the "nerd's game" and only for the bookworms. However, chess is a very interesting game if you know how to play it. I am not an expert at chess but far from being a boring game, chess has alot of advantages to offer. I discovered that not too long ago when I won my first game and there after started to play chess day in and day out.

What are the advantages then?

As we all know, it helps in problem solving. In chess,you need to find out ways to overcome stumbling blocks. When I can't find someone to play with, I play chess with myself and I actually figured out different ways to counter certain moves or invent some potent moves all on my own. Without any doubt, it helps in problem solving.

Apart from that, it also helps in time management. Chess is a game that has a time limit of 10 mins for each player. In other words, the game must finish in 20 mins time when there is a check mate or when one of the players run out of time. Invariably, it helps in time management.

Last but not least, it boost creativity and ability to think on your feet. There are 1001 ways you can use a chess piece, even a puny pawn. When you are in the game, the battle is between your opponent and yourself. You think hard to outbeat your opponent, you even have to pre-empt his next move. Chess is all about thinking a few steps ahead and if your opponent makes an unexpected move, you have to think on your feet, and fast.

Interestingly, as I have realised, chess meets most of what our parents wants us to learn. So, instead of sending the child to Problem Solving courses, why not play chess? And instead of enrolling the child in creativity courses, why not play chess?

So if you have one free day with no tuition and homework, why not just pick up a chess board, set the pieces up and discover the magic of chess.