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Speech after National Schools' Championships
The NJC Canoeing Club fought well in this National Schools’ Canoeing Championship, reclaiming both the Boys’ and Girls’ title after 15 years. For the boys’ category, our team won either gold or silver in all the ‘T’ events, setting a championship record of 61 points, beating RJC by 15points and Hwa Chong by 30 points. For the girls’ category, our team, with only 7 J2 girls, created the biggest upset in the Championship by edging out RJC which has 12 year2 girls and Hwa Chong which has 10 year2 members. The results may be flattering, but I don’t think this is what the NJC Canoeing Club would like to be remembered for. In that case, what is important to us?
Maybe we will share the Olympic Creed with all of you. It reads: “the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to have take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”
We would like to be remembered for all the struggles that we have been through, as a team as we would like to be remembered as individuals who have fought well in victory or defeat. I can say that the NJC Canoeing teams, past or present, are the most committed, toughest and the most united team in the ‘A’ division category of canoeing. Every individual in our team now is a principled, wise and happy fighter. Winning the titles is just a bonus for us.
We are not a skilful team like Brazil, Italy, Spain or Portugal, but we are a fighting team like South Korea, Turkey, Republic of Ireland and Japan. We are not a club full of stars like Manchester United, but we prove that fighting teams too can beat the winning teams just like Arsenal winning the Double earlier this year.
For the seniors, I hope that you would put in the same amount of commitment and hard work into your studies. For the juniors, you have to study hard too, but at the same time, defend the titles. The defence of the titles is already on… the race has begun.
I would like to repeat the quote from Steve Prefontaine once again,
‘ There are people out there who can beat me, but they will have to bleed to do it.’
-Mr Yong
Setting: The finals of the national schools championship
Narrator: Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the National Schools Canoeing Championship. The final event of the day is the T1-500m race. 4 paddlers are lined up at the starting line. These rowers have trained very hard and sacrificed so much to be here... ATTENTION PLEASE!
(NJC boats move up to take the lead. As the boats approach the 250m mark, NJC boat capsizes. XJC boat moves up to take the lead and wins the race. After awhile, the rescue boat comes up.)
Rescue boat crew: Ok, let us help you with your paddle and boat back to the beach.
NJ rower: NO! My race is not over. I have not crossed the finishing line yet.
Rescue boat crew: It is over, the race has ended, you are out. Now, let us help and clear the lanes.
NJ rower: NO! Now you listen here, my college did not send me to win the race. I was sent to finish it. If you are going to rescue me, do it now! Put me back onto my boat and let me do what I was sent here to do.
Rescue boat crew: Fine, as you wish.
(The NJ rower paddles with his heart and soul to the finishing line.)
Narrator: As you have seen, the true winner in the race is not necessarily the one who crosses the finishing line first, but the one who completes the race with the heart and courage and despite being overwhelmed by all the odds, refuses to give up.