Hmm, why stop there? We could also segregate students at a barefoot height of 1.5m because we know taller competitors have the advantage of longer stride or reach. How about linking race and sports? Some races excel in some niche sports so maybe they should be segregated to create a more level playing field for others who are not up to their standard.

The point is, segregation is already practised in schools - by year and gender. The unifying feature in school sports is that the best students are chosen to represent the school and the criteria do not include country of origin, or whether they come from Jurong or Yishun, or have a protein-rich diet.

The positive outcomes are numerous. For the school, there is school morale, cohesiveness, loyalty and integration. For the individual student, there is confidence, self-discipline and sense of fair competition. The lists are not exhaustive by far.

I also fail to see how foreign talents have an unfair advantage of not needing to cope with demanding academic studies and balance their limited time. Lack of time and no lack of homework are laments shared by all students, local or foreign. The latter has the added disadvantage of relearning and unlearning subjects in a 'foreign' language, English. There is also the often-incomprehensible ubiquitous Singlish in and out of class.

I fear an influential policy-maker will take Madam Soh's suggestions seriously and institute a reform. Please don't. Not every complaint needs to lead to a policy reversal. It would be a first step down the path of xenophobia.

In 2010, Singapore will host the first Youth Olympic Games and I hope Singaporean youth will benefit from their school sports training strategies and be worthy competitors. I will be the first to cheer that.

Kam Wai Kuen (Mdm)