I think it is inappropriate that a company such as SingTel be seen organising a competition that encourages the sexual objectification of young girls. I question the rationale of having 16 years as the minimum entry age. Where do we draw the lines as adults in protecting our children?

Sex sells. That is a fact but there is such a thing as corporate and social responsibility. Let's not kid ourselves as to what these girls are being used to do. Holding flags before the race? Right. Why girls? Why not some handicapped person? Can't a disabled person do the job just as well? Shouldn't we take the opportunity to generate awareness for the less fortunate perhaps? It would be really interesting to see how the organisers explain that this is not an exercise in sexual objectification of young women.

If there are adult women out there who wish to sell themselves in such a manner, they are old enough to decide for themselves. However, the line should be drawn when the minimum age is 16 years old. I would have thought that the age should have been 18 years old at the minimum.

Winnie Ang (Ms)