Weekend Engagement - I Was A Sports Fan!

Why do you think people become so passionate about watching sports?

I used to watch a lot of sports, especially during my younger days. Particularly soccer (or some call it football) as well as F1 (Formula 1 racing).

My soccer days started way back in 1990s where I supported Blackburn Rovers. It wasn't a big team like the Manchester clubs or Liverpool, but I just like to support an underdog. I remember the times where I would follow their matches every weekend. Of course, the interest extends to the Euro tournaments and the World Cup as well!

I remembered I was in London for a work trip, and during the weekend, I visited the Emirates Stadium! The guided tour was amazing as we get the see everything from the dressing room to the soccer pitch.

My F1 days actually began much later in the early 2000s, where I realised there is so much more to racing than just "cars running along the track". I was intrigued by the team strategies, the usage of tyres, and back then there was the refuelling strategy as well. It takes an entire team to support one driver! Not forgetting having to handle different weather conditions as well! It was just so fascinating. And it was even crazier when F1 came to Singapore! It was like a dream come true - to watch the races live and hear the engines roar!

This was taken in 2014, which is one of the two years which I was at the race itself!

So why do people become so passionate about watching sports? Perhaps I can answer for myself.

• It's a great bonding activity!

I remember the times where my friends and I would watch soccer matches and F1 races together, and discuss about the teams even after the events! We might all support different teams, but our passion for the sport is what gels us together.

• It's a great learning opportunity!

Especially for F1, there's so many calculations involved and being someone who likes Math and Statistics, it was so fascinating to watch these experts do it. Of course, for soccer, there is also strategy involved, be it lineup tactics or even dirty tricks like time wasting. In a way, these are not the typical stuff which lessons in school would teach. I mean, which subject would teach you the difference between soft and medium tyres? Haha.

• You get to see the world!

During World Cup or even other tournaments, as well as F1 races, we not only see the sports in action, but also, we get to see the sights and sounds on the host country. I think the most memorable one (apart from Singapore's F1 night race) would be the street race in Monaco. The city just looks so high class, with all the yachts and stuff.

• You get to see your idols!

Hahaha I was deliberating whether to pen this down. But yes, we all have idols or role models that we like or support. Be it Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or Lewis Hamilton, or even Fernando Alonso! These are the mega stars and it's amazing how these people are so skilful at what they do.

So that's all I have this weekend! Let me know if you agree or have any comments! :)