NDP07@Marina Bay, originally uploaded by Lobinhoot.
Finally, the authorities have decided to pull down the rollers at the National Stadium. Since 1973, (that’s the year I was born by the way,) many of the older generation of Singaporean will be able to tell you how they squeezed thru the crowds to get inside the stadium, just to watch the Singapore soccer team play against the other states of Malaysia. Those were the 70s & 80s, when we were in the Malaysia League. Of cos, the Stadium also hosted numerous parades, events, concerts, etc…
We host one final soccer game tonite, against the Australian. We didn’t win. In any case, we were not touted to win. Odds at Singapore Pools gave Singapore a $10.50 win for every dollar bet, if we had won. Australia was the clear favourites. They ran away 3-0 winners in a match that should’ve seen Singapore scoring at least a goal or two. Indra Sahdan missed a few chances. But we’re playing the mighty Aussies for the first time, since their insertion into the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Japan and China will have to deal with the Aussies now. =) But watching the Lions play tonite was very heartening. We were not at all afraid of the Aussies. In fact, we were attacking as much as they did. But in the end, experience counts. For most of the players in the Aussie team were plying their trade in some of the top clubs in Europe. And so, that was the final game to be played in the National Stadium. President SR Nathan would’ve declared the Stadium closed by now. We shall await the brand new Arena at the Sports Hub in the near future. Another Wembley perhaps?!
This year, the NDP will be held at the Marina Bay area. Just across the Marina South Park, and outside Ritz Carlton Hotel, Singapore. They erected a 27,000 seats viewing gallery. This will, in the future, be the venue for other water events. But for the next 5 years, the National Day Parade will be held here. I am not involved in this year’s parade, but still took time to stroll down Merlion Park this evening to capture some shots of the parade. The stateflag was flying over my head! I must say it looks weird to be outside of the parade ground this year. But from a different perspective, its nice to view the parade from afar. =) I’m not trying to console myself here. I was actually “invited” to do my usual photography in the parade, but I chose not to. Weekends are precious! Haha! But not today, cos I was doing nothing the whole morning. But lazing around ain’t that bad an idea afterall… =P
I met this Ah Pak at the Merlion Park. He was cantonese and I was struggling to converse with him. =( But I managed rather well… “Mmm Chor ler” =P Anyway, he was sharing lots of his memories during his younger days. Ah Pak is now 84 years old. He stays somewhere along Yio Chu Kang Road. Each year, he will make his way to the Merlion Park just to catch a glimpse of the place. He was awed by the set-up of the new gallery and what have evolved in the area. I’ve learnt something from Ah Pak today. Time flies… So, treasure the ones you love well, people…
