Some athletes to watch out for at the upcoming Inter-School Games

The Inter-Hall Games (IHG) typically steal the limelight once the semester ends, but the Inter-School Games (ISG), which take place concurrently with the IHG, are no less glamorous. Sports writer Fiona Mei Robinson speaks to three national athletes who will trade their Team Singapore jerseys for faculty ones this month.

PHOTO: ZHENG JUNCEN AND VALERIE LAY

Pradeep Ravichandran, 24
School/Year of study: School of Materials Science and Engineering/3
Represented Singapore in the 2014 and 2016 ASEAN University Games (AUG) in football
ISG sport: Futsal (2015-2016)

What was your most memorable moment of ISG 2015?
In the group stages, we were 1-0 down and had to win that game to qualify for the next round. Technically, the other team was better than us, so during halftime we strategised a gameplay that required us to run more to make up for it. We managed to score two goals in the second half, and qualified for the next round.

Why are you playing in the ISG?
ISG brings students from different faculties together. For me, football isn’t just about scoring goals; it’s a sport that connects people of different backgrounds.

What do you hope to achieve in the ISG this year?
I’m looking forward to the camaraderie that is sure to follow this kind of competition. In games like AUG, it can get quite tense when things do not go your way, but ISG is more about creating bonds with the schoolmates that you’re playing with.

PHOTO: ZHENG JUNCEN AND VALERIE LAY

Loo Zi Jia, 20
School/Year of study: Nanyang Business School/2
Singapore Under-20 Women’s Contact Rugby Player
ISG sports: Captain’s Ball, Futsal, Netball (2015); Touch Rugby (2015-2016)

Why are you playing in the ISG?
I join for the experience. It’s a lot less competitive compared to SUniG (Singapore University Games) or IVP (Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic), where everyone is expected to give nothing but their best, so it’s a lot easier for everyone to have fun.

What do you hope to achieve in the ISG this year?
I’m excited to play with people whom I’ve never played alongside. Touch rugby is a sport that requires a lot of teamwork, so I think playing with a new group will improve my adaptability and communication with my teammates.

Would you encourage more students to play in the ISG?
Yes, I would. It’s a good way to get to know others in your school, and of course there’s that feeling of school pride. It’s a good workout during the holidays too.

PHOTO: ZHENG JUNCEN AND VALERIE LAY

Timothy Goh, 22
School/Year of study: National Institute of Education
(Sports Science and Management)/2
National Men’s Hockey Player
ISG sport: Floorball (2016)

Why are you playing in the ISG?
Playing at a less competitive level allows me to try out new skills and experiment — something I would not be able to do at higher levels of competition.

What do you hope to achieve in the ISG this year?
I want to help generate interest in floorball, and also share my passion for it. As I coach at Raffles Institution, I’m also anticipating being able to guide the lesser experienced players, and help them improve in the sport.

What are you most looking forward to in the ISG?
I’m excited to be playing with my friends, as well as alongside my SUniG teammates — we’ve even got some playful banter going on as to whose team will win the ISG!