If you are keen and have queries, please contact Coach Rameshon at 9100 4369 or you can email him at m.rameshon@gmail.com or swift.rameshon@gmail.com. Please refer to website http://flexifitness.com.sg (for more information on him and his programmes)
By Rameshon
Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)
Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)
Promoting Sports - I hope The Army could support our elite athletes to excel.
Picture 1 - N. Ganesan was able to excel by Army, SSC and SAA support.
I think, after reading this article, we should take note that, just like Zaki Sapari, our athletes, young and old, girls and boys should take initiative to keep our fitness as high as possible as the neighbouring countries. They should continue and adventure in unchartered waters by continuing to train, especially after college years. They should take note that all the National Schools’ Sports are for bringing out values and prepare for a lifelong sport in life.
Stopping for some years will only make the athlete have a very hard time matching to those who keep continuing to train. Tudor Bompa, the former Romanian coach who is now the Father of Periodisation, will definitely support my case as he was the one who came up with year-round training and the idea of Periodisation. His rowers were very successful in the Olympics. He is a beacon light to all coaches in the world.
Training beyond college years needs a lot of courage, independence, faith and hope. It is a thorny path usually taken by the rare few who are willing to work hard from where had started.
Once I met a Kenyan runner. I realised that at the age of 18, my time and his time were the same. In the 5km event, our timing were around the same, around 16min 30sec. Over a period of time, after going through National Service, my time was 20min for the 5km as opposed to my Kenyan friend who already was hitting a 14min kind of time at the age of 20. There was already a 6min gap. It also takes about 1-2 year/s to get back to the 16min 30sec kind of performance for me. Girls are spared from National Service in the Army of 2 1/2 years. However, it is seen that compared to western counterparts, the eastern girls tend to be less serious and intensive on their training. This is just my perception that I got when I had the opportunity to train at Loughborough University. There is social support from friends to compete in the west as in the case of the eastern girls.
As for men, after National Service, the top runners of Singapore could only manage about 15min plus for the 5km and as Singaporeans, we can forget about getting medals because of this. Maybe in the past, we could. Malaysian counterparts, on the other hand, are using periodisation method training and progress before we can. This is also the case for the Philippines and Thailand as well. Our South East Countries usually are having an advantage over us. Hence, this is a great possibility of losing to them since they have the head start while our runners are in the Army.
Paper Chase
Another problem that I could see in Singapore is that Singaporeans are very concerned about getting their educational attainments so that they could have a very good career. When this happens, if one wants to come back, he or she has to put in extraordinary energy and strength to do well.
I have seen some good athletes trying to come back once they are settled in life. This is too late for one to do anything. In the past, the timings were slower than now, so it was ok. However, right now, we can’t do this.
SAA's commitment to Coaches and Athletes
After students leave college, SAA should be the one in having very good communication with the coaches so that the athletes get back on track to train and race. In the past, nobody thought that Zaki could make it to the SEA Games. Even for me, I had to do a 2hr 29min, a third placing time of previous SEA Games, which I did it. I was the first qualifier, 9 months before 1995 SEA Games. Whether the top athletes are given time off to train after the Basic Military Training or Non-Commissioned Officer course, Inspector course or Officer Cadet School course, I believe that SAA can do something so that development of the athlete is not stopped.
In the past, I tried frantically to get N. Ganesan to train for SAFSA athletics and it took a lot of time. He was, however, selected for SAFSA hockey. Through hockey time off, N. Ganesan trained with me to get the time down. Yes, he did. It was really hectic and he had to work extra hard so that he gets selected to SAFSA Athletics. The unit that he was from finally allowed him to train. SAA must come forward and help coaches to solve this problem. Else, when the athlete comes out, the attrition rate in athletics will take place.
By Narayanan
He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.
Note:
By Narayanan
Rameshon has taught in Hwa Chong Institution, plus several schools, and Republic Polytechnic as well. He has won many accolades and he was awarded Merit Award for 1991 marathon performance in breaking the national record of Singapore, at that time. He has made 22 male athletes do a marathon in sub-3hrs. He has made 7 female runners do sub-4 hours for the marathon, as well. He was inducted to the ‘Roll of Honour’ by the then College of Physical Education, organised by Singapore Olympic Academy, in 1998, for breaking the National record repeatedly 4 times, till he did 2hr 24min 22sec).
He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.
