Singapore Paintball Series 2010!

The Singapore Paintball Series (SPS) 2010 which was formerly known as the Singapore Paintball Novice Series (SPNS) will be held on 16 - 17 October 2010 at East Coast Park. This is the ONLY major paintball event in Singapore for 2010 and preparations of the game started as early as 6 months ago. With promises to be the best paintball carnival ever held in Singapore, the SPS committee are trying to put together an exciting event for the paintball community for Singapore! With 30 participating teams (highest ever in Singapore paintball history) from 4 different categories (Open, Novice, Corporate and Tertiary), the organizers are catering the event from beginner players to amateur players. New to the series are the Corporate and Tertiary Division which caters to companies and schools. With more than 25 partners and co sponsors, the SPS is ready to create a "big BANG!" for the paintball scene.

With aims of promoting and developing the sport of paintball in Singapore, the SPS committee has invited several prominent paintball individuals from the Asia region to grace the SPS 2010. Mr. Paul Lam who is the founder of the World Cup Asia (WCA), Asia's largest paintball event and expo will be in Singapore to witness the SPS, with him is Mr. Patrick Tan and Mr. Tom from Pro Paintball Resources who are an avid tournament organizer in Thailand.

With strict firearms regulations in Singapore and limited playing resources such as personal equipment and paintball arenas, the SPS is a validation and ambassador event of the sport in Singapore. Since 2007, the SPS has been working closely with governing bodies to introduce awareness of the game to the masses and for SPS 2010, public members will be able to try out and "feel" the real arsenal of this adrenaline rushing game. The SPS events provide a platform for Singapore teams to compete so as to raise the playing standards of the Singapore community.

For more information about the Singapore Paintball Series 2010, please visit SPS official website, www.singaporepaintballseries.com and Facebook page, Singapore Paintball Series

A league of our own? Singapore style?

There used to be the Singapore Paintball Novice Series (SPNS) in 2008 and 2009. The SPNS was a platform for Singapore paintball enthusiasts to battle their guts out and to put their skills to the "test" before embarking on regional tournaments. I am using the word "test" because in Singapore, its all about "test" and more "test". Singaporeans need to "test" if the ERP works for road users before the full implementation, we need to "test" if the MRT will be overwhelmed before its opening, we need to "test" the YOG with the AYG, it is always putting things to the test... its the same for paintball. It has been pretty quiet around the Singapore paintball scene... Is this the end of paintball in Singapore? I beg to differ... as it is always peaceful before a storm so I am hoping this quiet period will be a good time for all to go back to the drawing board to rethink about paintball in Singapore. There are actually a few ways that paintball in Singapore can undergo a full revamp and I am going to share this in the later topics. While the local competition scene is quiet and some describing it as pins dropping, a handful of us are actually playing in Malaysia. With the last 2 weekends, there are a total of 8 Singapore teams participating in the Malaysia tournament scene. Not bad indeed...

Just last month, the Paintball Association (Singapore), PBAS was handed over to a new interim committee to oversee the promotion and development of paintball in Singapore. Change is always good... new ideas will be formed, new people will be involved, new support will be given... With only less than 30 years of history behind the sport, it will be an uphill task to develop this sport in Singapore given Singaporeans "testing" attitude towards committing to something new. Recreational paintball has been pretty well received across the borders with some gamers being featured in TNP and RazorTV. News like these are always good for creating paintball awareness. Competitively, Singapore teams are always giving their competitors a tough fight... podium wins from local teams such as Red Sevens, ZOO and Contract Killers are always good for the aspiring paintballers who are keen to take up the challenge of participating in regional tournaments against some of the best in Asia. In a recent blogging competition "Star Sports Blogger" organized by the Singapore Sports Council, local blogger and regular paintballer, Grant Harrison from team ZOO was awarded the 2nd prize. This is a big step for paintball as the sports need all the attention that it can get from governing bodies such as the Singapore Sports Council, the Singapore Police Force and of course the general acceptance of paintball as a sport.

In the planning is the Singapore Paintball Series (SPS), a tournament to takeover the responsibility of the SPNS. No longer are Singaporean players consider as novice players... so there must be a change in the naming of the tournament. Singapore players fret not... we will soon have our very own Singapore champion... Plans are underway and things are looking good so far. With a different approach to competitive paintball in Singapore, there are plans for a mechanical division, a tertiary division, an open division and possibly a SPLAT X division... we'll see... a big dream perhaps but something that is possible, we might not reach our target but it is definitely something that we are working towards to. Just be ready to lend your support when the dream gets going... we need all the support to create our own "test" bed.

Paintballers are the weirdest lot. We enjoy the game and we love the game so much that we sometimes become emotional towards the outcome of the game... we are so devoted to the game that it has become a religion to many of us. Others who are have not play the game do not understand our feelings. Its just pure devotion. Some people call it the plain shooting game, some call it cosplay, some call it dangerous, some call it no brainer... but hell yeah, what do they know? Its pure devotion. We just love the sport. I used to be one of those who asked "why so serious?"... it is serious to us cos we know. We spend hours watching paintball videos, we spend hours playing the game, we spend a whole chunk of our money to buy gears, we talk, eat, sleep paintball... we are always waiting for the weekend to come cos that's when we feel young again. We make tons of friends playing paintball... no other sports has that. We travel with strangers to competition hoping to bring back the glory... no other sports does that... We talk about the game with strangers and we talk like we have known one another for years! We are paintballers... its a religion and we are one.

Paintball in SEA Games?

Recently, someone asked me if I have spoken to anyone from the Singapore Sports School about promoting paintball in the school. When faced with this question, I felt amused and helpless. With a few years of working experience in sports development, I have worked with people from the Singapore Sports Council, Singapore Sports School and several sporting associations and I kinda knew where this conversation will be going... nothing...

To find a footing for a new sport in Singapore is one of the toughest thing that can ever happened in this part of the world.

A few years ago when a student first approached my department about starting a Bossaball interest group in the school... 2 thoughts came to my mind: "What is Bossaball?" and "Who plays this game?" Then there were other considerations: 1) How big is the Bossaball community in Singapore? 2) What are the resources that are needed? 3) How much money does this sport need? 4) How can Bossaball contribute to school sports? 5) How "huge" is Bossaball interationally? When we compared Bossball with paintball... I do see a few similarities. No offence to the Bossaball people, I think you guys are doing a good job introducing this sports to Singaporeans. But seriously, how has it been so far? The same is for paintball...

The typical Singaporean will understand that unless we stand a good chance of winning some medals in the world stage, we might not want to "pump in" resources into the development. Surely we understand the reasons behind supporting these core sports (swimming, table tennis, bowling, sailing, athletics (1.2 MILLION!!!))... these are the medal winning sports and yes, we should concentrate on what we do best! But I am also urging the good people of the Singapore Sports Council to embrace other sports... and paintball is one of those.

This year, there are 7 Singapore based teams who participated in the recent World Cup Asia as compared to 2 teams in 2008 and only 1 team in 2007 so surely the numbers are growing... and we are not even counting the number of teams who want to be there but couldn't due to travel expenses. We don't need 1.2 million dollars to kick start paintball in Singapore... and $3000 is definitely too little. Singapore teams have proven time and again that with proper resources, a review of current firearms law and support from relevant parties, we can bring back the medals!

With sports such as dancesports, woodball, ice hockey, contract bridge, bowls, Muay Thai, pickleball and powerboat recognized as a National Sports Association, I am sure paintball as a sport (not recreational) will surely fit the bill and we are talking about a team sport which require players to possess agility, quick decision making skills, teamwork, speed and accuracy. People from different gender and ages (14 years old and above by Singapore Police Force regulations) can participate in paintball. You can pit a 14 years old student to play against a 45 years old man and the results can go either way!!! You can pit a female player against a male player and yes the results can go either way too!!! To the good people who are behind sports development in Singapore, please have an open mind towards the game... and yes, we have helped ourselves since 2007 and its about time...

Okay, will paintball in Singapore be as popular as Malaysia? Most probably not... We do not have available Datuks or Sultans who are ready to support the game just for the reason of community building. Just look across the straits... and the number of tournaments, that's what I call support! But again, Singapore and Malaysia are 2 different countries. Will paintball be in the SEA games? That's possible... when Malaysia host their next SEA games... Big bosses of the paintball industry, if you are reading this, please MAKE IT HAPPEN! Medal contention is indeed promising...

Thank you...

I will end the final segment of the APIT 2009 with a word of thanks to the following people:

1) Arthur Chang - Our beloved Taiwanese import who stood by us even though we had a pretty shaky lineup. Arthur offered his help to the team unconditionally by allowing us to make his home a players village, ferrying us from the airport and around taoyuan, a great host who brought us around looking for food, helping us to buy our train tickets back from Kao Hsiung, arranging for the team's registration, etc. You have certainly make us feel very welcome in Taiwan. THANK YOU!

2) Organizers of the APIT 2009 - Although there were some minor screw ups but all is good. It is definitely a hard task organizing a paintball tournament not to mention a paintball tournament of this scale. After months and months of preparing, I think the organizers have done well this time. They are more prepared as compared to last year and they are more organized too. of course, with a better accommodation arrangement as compared to last year would render a 10/10 for the team. THANK YOU!

3) Marshals - Its not easy I guess, teams speaking in different languages hurling vulgarities, surely they can easily pick up some free language lessons. Its a tough job and we all know. THANK YOU!

4) Our Taiwan friends - This tournament will be just any other tournament if not for your hospitality and support. You have supported us from the sidelines during our games, you have given words of encouragement and you have made us feel welcome. Steven, Clarie, Alan, Fon Jen, Pony, Bronco, Alan, Mingzhe, Devon, Ellen, Peter, Rex, Zhi Zhong, Shan, Chiu, the KU gang. THANK YOU!

Asia Paintball Invitational Tournament - Day 4

Game day! Here's the format, teams are grouped into 4 groups with 4 teams each. So each team is supposed to play against 3 other teams in the group. Red Sevens was grouped with Chinese Taipei, Canada and Australia and the results as follow:

Chinese Taipei vs Red Sevens - 3 -1

Canada vs Red Sevens - 0 - 3

Australia vs Red Sevens - 3 - 0

Nazari the next big thing in Asia paintball

This little man is Nazari, he plays for Team Datis from Iran. It was in Malaysia when I first saw him, then he was crewing for the Team Datis and helping to load paintballs, getting the players ready for their game, carrying spare markers, spare loaders for the team. There was something about this guy… he looked extremely enthusiastic about paintball, he looked like he was raring to be on the field, he looked hungry. Well, we met him again…and this time, he was donning the yellow jersey (Datis wears yellow).

He may look short, he may look harmless… but he is one of the best snake players in the whole tournament. If there is an award to select the best 5 players of the Asia Paintball Invitational Tournament 2009, I am pretty confident that Nazari will be one of them. Not only is he fast sliding down the snake side, he is also patient and clam, which is pretty rare for the snake player. His agility can easily match the pros that you see on videos and his movements is so “smooth” that spectators actually enjoyed watching him play. Terrorizing the snake tape and leaving an impression, I guess Nazari will soon make it to the bigger stage. For locals who cannot feel his presence by reading my description, let’s say he is a combination of Zach and Kiko but twice faster than both. Or should I say as good as Prince from Bushwackers...

Paintball in 1st Asian Youth Games (AYG) 2009!

Hmmmm...50 years later? Perhaps but I know I wouldnt live this long to see it happen...

Paintball versus Money

I hate this... I really hate this...I am blogging about this because today, I lost a good player to money. What do I mean by that? "Losing someone to money"... Money... the root of all evil... has cause many disastrous things to happen in our lives. People lost lives, lost families, lost friends...all because of MONEY.

How many paintballers have gone down this path?

- No money so I am unable to play in this tournament
- No money so I am unable to commit for the whole season
- No money so I am unable to play regularly
- No money so I cannot buy paintball gear and sponsored gears no matter how good the offer is
- No money so I am retiring from paintball

You have survived...you still eat, you still sleep, you still play paintball once in a while...

But really, this is pretty sad for paintball. Yes, no doubt, you will need to have dough when it comes to playing paintball but surely with some planning, things will not be that tough. We have all gone down that path knowing that money doesnt grow on trees and you will need to save up for the game, in fact for everything that you do and love. I have gone down the path of not being able to draw money from the ATM simply because there was too little credit left, I have gone down the path where my teammates told me that they are sitting out and not playing in the next tournament. But seriously it is something that you will have to manage and overcome. For a start, playing paintball is not really cheap but surely not expensive to the point where you have to give up completely for something you love.

A professor once told me, it will be so sad to hear from a child that his family is unable to see him through school because they have no money for the child's education. Well, in some ways, I compare this to paintball. From my previous line in education, I have times and times told this to many graduates that if money is a problem for them to further their studies, then it is not a problem.

The solution is simple. Save up, work for it. Giving up is so so loser...

I was once very close to scolding a teammate of mine for his non-committment to paintball when he told me that he doesnt have enough money for paintball. Well, to some extend, I feel for him. But on another hand, I was angry at him for not saving up when he jolly well know that we are going for tournament next month. But what can I do? People have different priorities and paintball is not everything.

But if its a committment, then see it through...plan for it. Dont commit and disrupt the plan when everyone know that they are competing next month. Its like the Boston Celtics saying that they can no longer play in the NBA because they have no money. You just got to find the dough! Its not an excuse, its not a reason, its simply a calling that you know you have to fulfil.

If you are in my shoes and I remarked "I dont have money for tournament or gear" Honestly, what do you expect me to do? Feel sorry? pay for you? help you? lend you money?

Believe me, when I first started playing paintball, I have been through all these... paying people to play in tournament. No way am I going to do that anymore, yes it was tough on my pocket. But its not substainable...

In conclusion: Save up and fulfil your committment. Simple.

Paintball Pro Shop in Asia - Singapore and Malaysia

Firstly, Merry Christmas to all paintballers from the local community and around the world. Since this is the time of the year to do some shopping, I thought perhaps I will take this time to highlight some of the paintball pro shops in the local region. I thought this entry is useful as there are more and more bogus paintball website sprouting from the asia region. So be extremely careful when you are doing online shopping. You might end up spending more than you can ever imagine...

Skirmish Paintball Asia in KL

Pro Paintball Resources in KL

Napshot in KL

And there is Werdnahol from KL and KCHL paintball from Penang too!

In fact, just before this...staff of RD went around KL to visit some of these shops and at the same time play a couple of rec games. One thing that amazed me after playing these games (even though I have still prefer speedball): I feel like this is the first time that I have ever played paintball. As Kiko said: "We played freaking hard!!!"

RD staff playing rec games in KL.

* Newly added - Singapore's paintball proshop Paintballers World, One Commonwealth Building, 1 Commonwealth Lane, #03-03, Singapore 149544. Visit their online shop, www.paintballersworld.com

Singapore's biggest paintball proshop and distribution center!

*Former location

*New location

What is loyalty in paintball?

Today, I learnt it the hard way.

It is quite irony as I was chatting away with a friend from Penang about loyalty in paintball. I have seen people who displayed loyalty in paintball, I have seen loyalty being displayed over my short experience with paintball. But nothing beats me to think about loyalty so hard today.

Somebody once told me "Your loyalty will not last long..." Well, my reply was simple "I have come so far to be loyal to people in paintball... and I am doing fine, so let's stay that way" BULLSHIT! There is no loyalty in paintball! Why? People are always out to get the best deal, so SHOO emotions, SHOO loyalty. Its all bullshit!

I have heard stories...many stories. Stories that I dont like to hear, stories that make you look at someone from a different angle. Someone who doesn't care about loyalty. I was naive, very naive. Yes, the feeling of being betray is no good. But THINK THINK THINK! Dont just commit without thinking!

For all those out there who preaches loyalty like I do. Let's stay that way....for as long as we can. For those who are unloyal to people...or doesn't regard loyalty, just watch your steps. Words go around, so just be very careful. Paintball is a small world, its a small industry.

Treat everyone equally, treat everyone with respect, treat everyone with loyalty!

Asia Paintball Invitational Tournament (APIT) 2008

From left to right: Arthur Chang, Fonjen, Elle, Calgar, Pony, Arthur Chan and King

Our arsenal which include DM7, M7, Mini Invert and Shocker.

Opening ceremony of APIT 2008

Tournament Field, 47 bunkers, right smack in the middle of highrise flats

Red Sevens with Team Ku during the training session

Head Referee for the Millenium, Ulrich giving his pointers to the Taiwanese referees

Main stage of Asian Paintball Invitational Tournament (APIT)

Elle with APIT poster

Combined gears from Red Sevens and Ku from Japan

Seburo and Calgar shopping in Dye Asia warehouse

Red Sevens in Dye Asia

World Games 2009 - Red Sevens

It is confirmed, we will be going to Kao Hsiung, Taiwan for the Kao Hisung Paintball Championship 2009. This event is a prelude event to include paintball as a demonstration sport for the World Games in 2009. We could very well be part of paintball history. I am excited about the trip as this will be the first time that Red Sevens will be competing in an overseas event outside Malaysia. We will be playing with some of the best in Asia, Ku will be there. With the free up of the Thailand airport, I am hoping that Infernal can be there too. I have heard so much about Team Typhoon from Taiwan, being able to see them play is amazing. Not only that, Taiwan is very special to Red Dynasty and Red Sevens, we have very good friends there and to be able to see them again and play together is simply wonderful. Rest assured, we will fly the Singapore flag high...

NPPL no more...Bad day for paintball.

"As you have all been reading on the rumor sites no doubt. We can confirm we got this today from a reliable source. Pacific Paintball and its subsidiaries will be filing proceedings under the United States Bankruptcy Code to effect a liquidation of their respective assets and business operations. The affairs and assets of Pacific Paintball LLC, NPPL LLC, XPSL LLC, PB2X LLC, Xtreme Paintball Fields LLC and Camp Pendleton Paintball LLC will be administered by a court appointed trustee in bankruptcy. The bankruptcy court will provide you with written instructions regarding how and where to file any claims in this matter.Despite doing all we could do, we were unable to make the business a viable concern. Further, in this severe economic climate, we were unable to secure new funding. It is a truly regrettable outcome, though one which is unfortunately occurring more and more frequently in this environment. We thank all those who have supported us." Extracted from PBnation.

So what does this mean? Good or bad? One of the biggest paintball league in US is seeing the crunch of the economic crisis. One thing for sure, those guys holding onto the NPPL video game, you got a piece of history there. It might not be that bad for paintball...as paintball as a whole in the US is either the PSP or the NPPL. With NPPL beating the retreating drums, this might create a whole outlook for paintball. A merger perhaps. Something that keeps people talking but never happen in reality. So a merger is possible. This means to say....its Xball style from now on. Hehhehe...exciting to watch, more people can be involved. One style across the world. That's good for paintball as a sport. And right...world domination....You can't have too many different rules running the same game right?

How does it affect us in Asia? Surely, to see the fall of one paintball giant cannot be good for anyone. Lesser paintball awareness maybe...more people wanting to play but lesser avenue for them to play competitively. Surely no more Huntington Beach...I have this weird feeling that something might be revived. Fingers crossed. To think that I was thinking of going to Huntington next year...sob.

With PSP and Millenium working so closely...and the Intercontinental Cup for the World. It all depends on how these people (paintball gaints) want to take paintball to the next level. As the saying goes "If the old one doesn't go, the new one will never come" So it might not be that bad afterall. One thing for sure...there will be no NPPL Paintball Championship 2010.

Let's wait and see...

Singapore round up...

It has been a while since we have last provided an update on the paintball scene in Singapore. So here it goes…

Singapore Paintball Novice Series 2008, Leg 3, 12 Oct 2008

In the local paintball scene, our Philippines expatriates PSG Warfreakz won the Overall Singapore Paintball Novice Series (SPNS) Champion for 2008 and Team Carnage clinching the title of the SPNS Leg 3 Champion. Mid Life Crusaders and Team Damnation were awarded the 2nd and 3rd position respectively. Md Faris Bin Md Dawood from Team R.A.G was voted as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for Leg 3. Photos of Leg 3, http://www.weplaypaintball.com/forum/index.php?topic=590.0

Malaysia Paintball Official Circuit (MPOC), Johor Cup, Leg 5

5 Singapore based teams represented Singapore in the MPOC Leg 5. Team Damnation Wargh! and Red Sevens participated in the Division 3 category while Team Red Dynasty, Team E.X.A and PSG Warfreakz participated in the Division 4 category. Singapore teams posted a reasonable performance with PSG Warfreakz and Team Red Dynasty clinching the 3rd and 4th position respectively.

Basic Tournament Orientation, 30 Nov 08

The Basic Tournament Orientation (BTO) will be held on 30 Nov 08. The focus of the BTO is to promote tournament paintball in Singapore and ensuring that paintball safety is adhered to. The BTO will comprise of a theory test and 2 practical games to assess players’ competency. More information about the BTO can be found in http://www.weplaypaintball.com/forum/index.php?topic=123.0

World Cup Asia 2008, 13 – 16 Nov 08

Singapore will be represented by 2 teams in this year’s World Cup Asia which will be held from 13 – 16 Nov 2008. This event will be participated by 66 Asia teams from 3 categories. Team Damnation and Red Sevens will fly the Singapore flag in the 3rd Division category.

PAINtball 101 Clinic, 7 Dec 08

New to paintball? Want to know more about the game? Can’t find the right gang to play with? PAINtball 101 Clinic will let you know more about paintball and best of all, you can come alone. Participants will get to skirmish with one another and get to know people from the paintball community. To register, please visit www.weplaypaintball.com/forum

Student Paintball Promo, 15 Nov – 31 Dec 08

Students who are keen to take up paintball during the December school holiday can book a weekday session at Red Dynasty Paintball Park between 9.00 am – 2.00 pm. A paintball promotion of $20.00 for 50 paintballs will be offered to all students (with student card verification) who are interested. Advanced booking is required.

“Dye or Die” Sales – Till 9 Dec 08

All Dye or Proto paintball products are slashed to low down prices. Offer items range from Dye I3 Pro Invision mask at $150.00 (usual: $198.00) only! More paintball products can be viewed at http://www.weplaypaintball.com/Item.html

World Cup Asia 2008 - Singapore Teams

World Cup Asia (WCA) will be held from 13 - 16 Nov 08 in Malaysia Kuala Lumpur. To date, there will be about 66 teams from 3 divisions fighting to gain recognition from the biggest Asia paintball event. Last year when Red Sevens was there, we were the only paintball team from Singapore. This year, things will be exciting for Singapore's paintball scene, other than the Red Sevens, Team Damnation from Singapore will be at the WCA too. It a pity that we were unable to field 3 teams from Singapore. But hey...two is an improvement from one.

Red Sevens will be represented by our usual gang, Seburo, Elle, Padam Pelita, King... Calgar and Callio are unable to join us due to personal commitment. Guesting for the team will be Ryan, our reliable mid and back player and Zack who be playing with us for the first time. I am excited at the thought of having the usual gang and 2 other guest players from the States. Playing in the 3rd Division will be teams from West and East Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore, a mini South East Asia challenge.

Of course in this WCA, there will be others (from Singapore) who will be there. Noir, Kiko, Des, PSG Warfreakz and many others. Surely paintball in Singapore is moving....

How to be the best front player in Singapore?

Ask Francis otherwise known as "Kiko". Our friend from the Philippines will be back in Singapore by November this year. Kiko was part of the champion team that won the PALS Division 2 in 2007. Back then he was playing for Global Gutz as a front player but he has since joined the Real Pinoy and will be participating in this year's Asia World Cup. The last time when he was in town, he imparted his skills to the paintball community. Those who were there will most probably remember "Kiko" for his charismatic smile and how fast he is on the field. He will be in Red Dynasty when he visits Singapore again. So keep a look out for him. The best in Asia? You will know what I mean when you see him on the field. Btw, he was coaching Carnage when they first started...

Ollie Lang Paintball Clinic

The photos speak for itself...and of course...my newly acquired, #52 Ollie Lang DM8 with virtue board and T1 barrel. Had dinner with him after day 1... this guy eats almost everything. Yes, even betel nuts. 6 pieces at one go.... nice friendly guy. He even gave us his elbow pads knowing that Elle doesnt have one. Very professional indeed... and almost willing to teach if you are willing to learn. Next Asia stop for him...Thailand in October. Yes, he is considering a trip to Singapore too...

Questions? Questions?

Recently, I have few queries from different people asking me about how to set up a paintball field. I thought this is a very tough question...at least when I first started. There was no one to ask, no one who was willing to share, no one to tell me what to do and no one gave me directions. Believe me, before all these...I have made trips to Taiwan, Australia, Malaysia, China to find out the different ingredients. Talk to people from the industry and got snub big time... All in all, it took me 2 years to plan, to learn, to play... many people think its easy, many people...

Just a few questions (simple ones):

When do you know how the tank is full?
What is a ball detent?
If the marker is in ramping mode, 2 shots in 1 squeeze. What is the problem?
What is the difference between HPA and CO2 and nitrogen?
Do you know how to chronograph a marker?

If you know all the answers with the click of the fingers...you are very very good. If you can answer 1, you are observant. If you can answer 2 or 3...you are not bad. But but but, if you cant answer any...then perhaps, its not so easy starting a field. So its not easy after all... most people see the surface of the business...but really dont know much about running a paintball field.

Besides, if you dont play, you will never learn.

In the states, most paintballers are field owners, so if you dont really play the game, you can forget about starting a field. Even if you play try to answer the 5 questions above.

But again, the door is not shut on you. You can save time by working with the right people. People who have experiences running a field, people who have the passion to make things work. Hey, my title says I am a paintball consultant. So if you want to hire me? I am a gun for hire with some terms and conditions, I want a share in this idea of yours. Anything...anything related to paintball, I am interested. I can supply cheap, good and high grade paintballs (which field uses Proto for rec games?), I can supply markers, I can give you training, I can give you ideas to make things work...and most important of all, I can give you a good lead time against the rest of the other competitors. In today's world, its better to work together and work fast than to take time to learn and become rivals. Already, we have some "industry driven" rivals...As the saying goes, you know who you are. I establish the industry...you just piggy back and do things and say things behind my back. Just remember this, when the time comes...you just queue up hor. Er...the line is over there.

Paintball in Singapore?

Yes, that's what this blog is all about. 1 year and 7 months into the promotion of paintball in Singapore...and what do we have so far? Media coverage...not bad, a paintball tourney under the wing of PBAS...not bad indeed...15 paintball teams...hmmmm....not so good, awareness....maybe.

The bottomline is there is still so much more to be done...We need to bring paintball out of Red Dynasty! We need to showcase more of paintball to the public's eye. And how do we go about doing that? Posting results on forum? Awareness clinic and roadshow? International events? Sports exhibition? So much more...hmmm...but where do we get all the fundings to do all this? I have no idea. It is good that we have a couple of sponsors for Leg 2, a beggar can't ask for more...but definitely, we need more, More, MORE...

These are some of the things that we can do by the end of this year:

1) Roadshows. Paintball will be featured during the NUS Sports Bazaar in August 08. We have done something similar in SMU before but this can certainly help us raise more awareness about paintballing in Singapore. A unique community that is tuck somewhere around the corner.

2) Get ourselves in for Sports Expo! Every year just before the Standard Chartered Marathon, thousands of people head towards the Expo to register themselves for the race...hey, talking about target audiences. All sports people out there...surely there is a room for us. But then again, each booth cost about $5000 over the 3 days exhibition and this is excluding the amount of effort we have to put in to man those booth...hmmm...expensive.

3) Formation of a proper national team. Being very much involved in the local basketball scene a couple of years ago, I realised that a national identity is very important...Someone to look up to, somewhere for people to excel in their sports and perhaps international representation. So far right now, Red Sevens is the only local team that has been participating in overseas tournament, some people, not all look up to us. But we are definitely not the national team, we are a nation representative. National team? Ney! not yet.

4) Regular paintball league as I have mentioned before....something more regular but doesn't cost much...keep playing, keep improving.

5) International exposure...I will be lucky to have 5 Singapore teams playing in the MPOC by this year!!! I hope!!!