I do not think it is the duty of participants to worry or be involved in the funding or contribution of their own sports fraternity.

Conversely, participants' only duty is to train hard and win a 'gold' when they participate in any game. This will do the country proud and bring honour to Singapore.

It has been argued that a percentage of their winnings should be given back for the 'development of their academy players' or for grooming athletes.

There is also the argument that the Singapore Swimming Association (SSA) 'has supported Tao Li, sent her for overseas competition and these things cost money'.

But surely if we do not expose her to overseas competition, she can only be as good in our own country.

If our participants, after exposure, win a gold medal, our pride is that she wins by beating the best participants who are good enough to represent their own countries.

As I understand it, the SSA gives out monetary rewards to gold medallists via the Multi-Million-Dollar Award Programme. However, there is a cap on how much the gold medallist can receive, irrespective of how many gold medals he or she wins.

Surely, the SSA can motivate our participants by (a) removing this maximum monetary reward, (b) giving out another reward, not only for winning a gold, but also for breaking the games record and (c) giving out a yet higher reward if the world record is broken.

This indeed would be a motivating factor for all participants.

How, then, can sports fraternities be funded? It is for them to convince and get more funding from the Singapore National Olympic Council by showing it the exemplary and superb results of their participants.

It is also a gracious society that does not take back what it has given, whether in cash or kind.

Ronald Lee Yew Kee