We are not ready...

Well... just like to comment on this "We are not ready" statement. A few years ago when we were introducing speedball and encouraging people to play paintball, often than not, we always hear this phrase: "We are not ready". I mean when are we really ready?

Received an email a few days ago from someone who is new to the game and telling me how hook he is after playing paintball and wanting to join a paintball team and even considering the option of starting his own paintball team. He mentioned that he knew of a paintball event in October (pretty obvious he was talking about the SPS) and how much he wanted to take part but ended up saying perhaps "We are not ready". The question is are we always ready for anything? Teams are always asking themselves... are we ready? The answer is... you are ready if you have:

1) Played a few paintball games. Doesn't matter if it is woodsball or speedball... its still the same. The only major difference is understanding the rules and regulations.

2) A group of enthusiastic friends who are keen to pursue the game.

3) Open minded about learning. Embrace the learning...

In 2008, I made a grave mistake when I commented about Singapore teams being not ready for the bigger stage i.e World Cup Asia 2008. I think those comments were selfish, ignorant and indeed not welcoming. I want to apologize to any Singapore teams who might feel affected with my snobbish comments. My reasons being: due to our lack of resources, lack of training time and lack of tournament experiences, teams should not go to World Cup Asia just for a mere representation as teams are going there to win! In 2009, there were 7 Singapore teams who went for the event and one team even went on the podium. And so... my concerns were unnecessary. This year... I am rallying for more Singapore teams to go and play in World Cup Asia 2010! My target is to rally 15 Singapore teams to the World Cup! And I believe we do have the numbers! If indeed this wish comes true... we will be the next last contingent other than the host country, Malaysia to have the most number of teams playing in the World Cup Asia.

I did mentioned that Singapore teams will do well in Division 4 games and I still stand by this comment. I am also encouraging Singapore teams to venture into the higher divisions and give it a go! If you have never try, you will never know... So yeah... to hell with "We are not ready"... WE ARE!

Red Dynasty Rookie Challenge 2010 - HEARTBREAKERS Champion!

Heartbreakers - Champion of Red Dynasty Rookie Challenge

Participants of Red Dynasty Rookie Challenge

6 teams participated in the Red Dynasty Rookie Challenge on 31 Jan 2010 and as the competition name suggest the challenge was held in Red Dynasty Paintball Park. This is the first time that such challenge is organized and surely not the only one in 2010. The objective of the rookie challenge is to establish a competitive platform for the purpose of introducing the game of speedball to new paintball enthusiasts who have recently picked up the sport. With a 4 versus 4 format and a limit of 100 paintballs per load, the game pace of this challenge is rapid and provides the same competition intensity for all paintballers.

The 6 participating teams who took part in this challenge are Phobos and Deimos, Black Aces 2, Raving Lunatics 1, Raving Lunatics 2, Dare Devils and Heartbreakers.

Playing a round robin format during the qualifying rounds, it was Raving Lunatics 1 who topped the table with a impressive run of 4 wins and 1 lost. They were followed by Semi Finalists, Heartbreaks (2), Phobos and Deimos (3) and Black Aces (4). In the Semi Final games where the best of 3 games format is adopted, the Heartbreakers took an early lead by getting 2 wins from Phobos and Deimos. The Black Aces 2 and Raving Lunatics 2 took a game each with the event winner meeting Heartbreakers in a Finals. Eventually, it was Black Aces 2 who adopted a defensive strategy against the Raving Lunatics 2 that went through. The final game was settled through a 1 versus 1 by Ben Junior (from Heartbreakers) and Joshua (from Black Aces) when both teams were tied on a win each and a draw in the earlier game which saw no surviving players on the field.

The Heartbreakers eventually won the challenge with a patience approach during the 1 versus 1 game and saw them clinched the first Red Dynasty Rookie Challenge title. Congratulations Heartbreakers... and as the Head Marshal, Fuzz concluded about the challenge: "Keep the fire burning...", we hope to see all players developed themselves into better players and help to spread the love of paintball in Singapore.