I AM the father of one of the girls on the dragon boat team that went to Prague and won the Dragon Boat World Junior title. I was surprised to read Thursday's letter by Mr Dennis Tan, 'Struggling Singaporeans and lucky Kiwis', and I felt for the Singaporean youngsters.

This is such irony, that we are the citizens of Singapore, one united people - and our national carrier sponsored the New Zealand team. The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) seems indifferent to such world events, in which our own people participate.

In January 2007, my eldest daughter and her touch rugby team went to South Africa to take part in the Women's World Touch Rugby tournament. Each team member had to raise about $5,000 to represent Singapore; they raised the money themselves and went. As touch rugby was in its formative stage, they were not expected to win, but the team came in fourth, which was creditable. There was no support for representing the country until I wrote to MCYS and the team was asked to collect a Singapore flag and some banners to take along.

Does one have to play football or table tennis to be recognised? Why do the authorities support sports with foreign talent when Singaporeans are neglected.

Perhaps the authorities should set aside a budget for teams that represent Singapore in any international event. Some form of support or funding should be given. Bringing glory to the country but having to pay for it the hard way does not seem right in principle.

Thomas Phua

This article was first published in The Straits Times.