Singapore umpire at Marina Bay

In the overall database of FISA umpires, 64 nations are represented, and here at Marina Bay Reservoir, sixteen international umpires from as many countries are part of the jury to oversee the racing at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games. World Rowing has met with one of these umpires, Roozaimy Omar, who did not have to travel far to take part in these Games. Omar is from Singapore.

World Rowing: How long have you rowed for?
Roozaimy Omar: I rowed for 10 years, from 1997 until 2007, and was on the Singaporean team in the lightweight men’s single for three South-East-Asian Games (2001, 2003, 2005).

WR: What made you decide to become an umpire?
RO: After 10 years of rowing, I decided to move to something else and wanted to taste the other side of rowing. I picked up umpiring and took my exam to become an international umpire in May 2009. These Youth Olympic Games (YOG) are my very first international event, although I also did the validation regatta here.

WR: Is rowing very well known in Singapore?
RO: Rowing is not well-known at all. I was pretty much on my own while I was rowing. We only have one rowing club.

WR: What is it like to be a Singaporean umpire here?
RO: Being Singaporean, being a fresh new umpire and being chosen for the YOG is a special experience! I share a lot of what I experience here with my friends. I don’t need to explain to most of my family as my father, Nicholas Ee, and three of my brothers are also volunteers here. It’s a kind of a family thing, a dynasty devoted to the organisation of the YOG. We are Muslims and it’s sometimes difficult for them here as we cannot eat or drink from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan. I’m not that affected because umpiring is quite light in comparison with their work from morning to evening. But we all are very happy to live these Games from inside.

Some of my friends will also come to the rowing course and I really think that the YOG is a very good opportunity for developing rowing in Singapore. During the repechage, I was fortunate because I was the umpire for the race where the women’s single from Singapore participated. I had to control my excitement as you have to remain completely independent. But I really felt something special seeing her fighting, trying her best. It was a real great feeling to see it from this side.

WR: There are lots of national flags in Singapore for the moment; why? Can you tell us some more facts about Singapore?
RO: On the 9th of August we had our national day and this year it was a special one because we were celebrating our 45th anniversary of independence. We have a very harmonious life here, our patriotic feelings are positive ones and we know how to voice it for our country.

You hear quite a number of languages in Singapore. English is our main language but the national language used to be Malay because it’s the language of the founders. At the opening ceremony, the national anthem was sung in Malay and it’s the only existing version. In schools, English is the main language and the different ethnic groups have their own mother language – Malay, Chinese, Tamil – all students also have to choose one of these languages. Nowadays, they also want students to learn a second of these languages.

Another important aspect of Singapore is shipyards. I studied mechanical engineering at Nanyang Technological University, which is now the Youth Olympic Village, and work in one of the three major shipyards of Singapore. Ship business and repair is a very important feature for us.

WR: What should visitors to take back from their stay in Singapore?
RO: I’d like them to remember that we are a showcase on how different ethnic groups, different nationalities, different religions can live and work together in a harmonious way. And also remember our food, which is very international. Yes multiculturalism in a small country, that’s what I want visitors to remember primarily.

The World Rowing team values feedback.