Pre-schoolers play their part at World Aquatics C’ships under Little Team Nila initiative

SINGAPORE – Every Friday, Sarah Khalisah frequents the pool at Woodlands ActiveSG swimming complex, where she participates actively in a swimming class.

The six-year-old enjoys swimming breaststroke – her favourite stroke – and recently savoured the high diving spectacle at the World Aquatics Championships (WCH) through the TV screen in July.

But it did not quite compare to the joy she felt cheering the athletes on in person.

As part of Little Team Nila – a new initiative by national agency Sport Singapore aiming to introduce sport volunteerism to children aged five to 12 in pre-schools and primary schools – Sarah was given the opportunity to rally on elite aquatic athletes from all over the world at the July 11-Aug 3 WCH.

“We must be quiet (before they enter the water). Because if we don’t keep quiet before they dive, they cannot do nicely. (But after that) we can cheer and cheer,” said Sarah, who has been making herself heard during the ongoing diving events at the OCBC Aquatic Centre.

She also participated in the Trash to Treasure initiative where some 100,000 cans were recycled and transformed into 5,000 medals for the athletes at the WCH.

She, along with her classmates from PAP Community Foundation (PCF) Sparkletots@Marsiling, readily contributed over 300 metal cans, exceeding their quota of 200, according to their teacher Ina Nurshiqah.

She said: “It was pretty easy because we invited the families of the children to drop off any of the cans they have at home.

“Recycling is a big part of our centre’s movement. When they asked what are these metal cans going to turn into, we introduced them to the medals and the WCH organisers also came down (and) brought a medal to let the children hold and touch.”

The 32-year-old added that the cheering experience ties in with their holistic education.

“They get to be involved in bigger things other than just their family and community. It definitely opens up their world perspective,” she said.

“Even when we are having our lessons, we will get them to cheer for their friends. Let’s say their friend isn’t able to do a skill yet. They will say, ‘It’s okay. Next time, we can do again’. So that helps with their never-give-up attitude,” said Nurshiqah, adding that perseverance is one of the values that the initiative has instilled in the kids.

Currently comprising over 1,600 pre-schoolers, teachers and principals from 26 PCF Sparkletots centres, Little Team Nila volunteers have attended 20 WCH events in water polo, artistic swimming, diving and swimming.

They were joined by PCF chief executive officer Victor Bay at the WCH Arena on Aug 1.

Heartened by their enthusiastic cheering, he highlighted how the opportunity to experience live sport will help internalise values like graciousness and community spirit in the children “besides the excitement and the entertainment”.

He added: “I think (these experiences) will last a lifetime for them. This could be the spark of something big for them.

“They really could be inspired to be a world-class diver or swimmer one day and these are extremely important character-building opportunities that young people today should have.”

More opportunities are on the cards as the Little Team Nila programme expands to include more pre-schools and primary schools in the coming months. 

Stefanie Ang, Team Nila division head, said the children are also set to cheer on Singapore’s athletes at upcoming events – football’s Asian Cup qualifiers, the Mirxes Nations Cup netball competition and the Sept 21-27 World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore.

She said: “We have plans in areas like victory ceremonies (and) medal presentations. Something that will interest them at a bigger level.

“This is a way for us to garner support for our Team Singapore athletes and also inspire the next generation.”