'Just play, you're not going to do anything in life': Woman rages at sepak takraw players

What began as a game of sepak takraw at a badminton court turned into an unexpected confrontation when a woman accused the group of 21-year-olds of making excessive noise.

Speaking to The New Paper, one of the four players who only wished to be known as Adriana, said that they had gathered at a badminton court in Bukit Panjang at around 4pm on Oct 26 for a game.

The group had already confirmed with the town council that they could use the court for the game. But after 20 minutes of play, a woman who appeared to be in her early 40s approached them, complaining about the noise and demanding that they stop the game.

A video of the confrontation, posted by Ms Adriana, shows the woman making racist remarks and calling the group "stupid" and "uneducated".

"They cannot read the Harvard English written there," the woman says, referring to a sign prohibiting pickleball at the badminton court. The woman is also heard saying that the group would become Grab drivers instead of doctors and engineers.

"Let me study so I'll become a doctor, unlike him," she says. "Just play, anyway you're not going to do anything in life."

Police called to scene

Ms Adriana said that the woman also threatened to call the police on them.

"We felt this treatment was discriminatory, especially since we were playing at a reasonable hour and had permission from the town council," she told TNP.

"I called the police right after she started stereotyping us as we felt like it was too much to handle."

The police arrived around 5pm and told the group to stop playing, stating that the town council would review the incident.

The group raised the matter to the town council on Oct 27 and are awaiting a response. "There wasn't a need to be racially profiling people of different races in this situation," said Ms Adriana.

Past incidents reported

Ms Adriana said a friend was previously confronted by the same woman in August, also for playing sepak takraw at the court.

The town council later clarified that signs placed around the court were meant to prohibit pickleball, not sepak takraw. "They promised to resolve the issue but advised my friend to stop using the court for about one month," she said.

Ms Adriana and her friends also played the game at a badminton court in Marsiling from 7pm to 9pm in September without any issues.

Town council confirms incident

In response to TNP queries, Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council confirmed that the group had enquired about the use of the badminton court for foot volleyball.

"Our Property Team had explained to them that they are required to ensure their activities do not cause inconvenience or disturbance to other users and nearby residents," a spokesperson said.

The spokesperson emphasised the importance of "consideration and mutual respect" when using shared spaces.

Netizens defend group

The post quickly went viral, garnering over 82,400 views and 6,300 likes at press time. Netizens defended the group, saying there was nothing wrong with using the court for sepak takraw.

"We pride ourselves for our racial harmony. But ever so frequently, we hear these racist remarks being made," a netizen commented.

Others shared similar events in their neighbourhoods.

"Same incident also at Bukit Batok West Ave 6 basketball court," another added. "Everything complain. Don't know what's the use of the government making the basketball court."

Another netizen, a resident at Bedok North, said such games are common and even welcomed in the neighbourhood.

"Come to the badminton court in my area. There's a regular group of players and we love their boisterous sessions whenever they play. Adds more life to an otherwise quiet neighbourhood."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a statement from Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council.