A swimmer by any other name...
After the recent brouhaha over Singapore Swimming Association's name for its swimmers, here are some tongue-in-cheek suggestions for SSA's new moniker
The Singapore Swimming Association (SSA) is likely to have to choose another name for its swimmers, after the decision to use the name "Red Lions" was criticised by military men and women in Singapore.
The name is associated with the Singapore Armed Forces' elite skydiving team, a crowd favourite at the National Day Parade.
Members of the public also criticised SSA for its lack of originality.
After a meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Defence, SSA made the decision to drop the name on Wednesday.
While it has not announced a new name, it seems that Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong already has an idea.
Mr Goh posted on Facebook: "Why not call them Sea Lions? After all, Singapore is surrounded by the sea and our swimmers aim to be champions in the coming SEA Games. Best wishes to our swimmers."
Well, SSA, if you need more options, The New Paper is more than willing to help.
Here are some quick tongue-in-cheek suggestions to start you off:
RED MERLIONS
The swimmers can't have lions, but merlions are still available and very much Singaporean.
RED LIONFISH
Sure, the lionfish is not the most attractive of water dwellers but it packs a powerful sting. And hey, the name still has an SG connotation, so national pride is covered.
RED LOINS
It is only a switch of two letters and with red swimming trunks, this name is quite apt.
GOLD FISH
With talent like Joseph Schooling, an Olympic medal feels increasingly within reach. And the gold is something to aspire to. It can also work if no medals are won, then the swimmers can activate that short-term goldfish memory to forget their misery.
Do you have any suggestions for SSA? Post your suggestions on Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #newnameforssa
This article was first posted on tnp.sg on Thursday.
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