Why invite former stripper to choreograph part of opening ceremony of YOG?

I was troubled that Bobbi a former stripper from Sydney, who left home when she was 19 to work in a club in Japan, was being invited by the organising committee of the Youth Olympics Games (YOG) in Singapore to choreograph a part of the opening ceremony of the YOG, and wrote in to the Senior Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports Teo Ser Luck, to seek his clarification, as to why Bobbi was selected.

The organisers of YOG, may unwittingly send the wrong subtle message to the impressionable youths who are not only participating in the Games, but also supporting and cheering the athletes competing in the Games. The message that sleaze is alright, as long as you get to be successful in the end.

Mr Teo was in the forefront of Singapore's bid to host the inaugural YOG, and his team and he should have been more careful as to who they invite to play prominent roles in YOG.

Mr Teo is yet to reply to my email.  My email is here:

From: Ravi Philemon
Date: Thu, Jul 8, 2010 at 4:11 PM
Subject: Pole-dancing Bobbi to open Youth Olympic Games in Singapore
To: teo_ser_luck@mcys.gov.sg


Mr Teo Ser Luck
Mayor, North-East District
Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports
Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Transport
MP Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC

Dear Mr Teo

I read the online article on Perth Now (link: http://www.perthnow.com.au/lifestyle/pole-dancing-bobbi-to-open-youth-olympic-games-in-singapore/story-e6frg3pl-1225889459233), and was troubled to read that a former stripper, who had left home at 19 to work in a club, is being invited to choreograph part of the opening ceremony for the inaugural Youth Olympics Games in Singapore.

Did not the organisers of YOG, find it objectionable to invite someone like Bobbi to play such a prominent part in the organisation of the opening ceremony of YOG? What is the message the organisers of YOG, will be conveying to the young athletes not just from Singapore, but from all over the world, with the selection of someone like Bobbi to choreograph such an event?

I am not opposed to poll dancing per se, but should not have the organisers of YOG do a little background check before inviting someone with Bobbi's background, for such an event?

In my opinion, YOG is a memorable, perhaps once in a lifetime event for Singapore, which Singapore can be proud of. But invitees such as Bobbi, will be a 'black-mark' on the otherwise great record that YOG has given Singapore.

I will look forward to your response.

Thank you.

--
Yours sincerely

Ravi Philemon

One of Bobbi's pole-dancing routine:

Comments

Unknown said…
Yeah, Vivian Balakrishnan used to hate bar-top dancer. Now he seems to hook on it.

Maybe he goes to the pub more often nowadays.
Anonymous said…
Lest we cause a moral panic, I think the version in the YOG will be toned down one, unlike the one you see in the youtube video.

But still, I find the whole issue amusing.
Anonymous said…
Anything is possible in Singapore nowadays. Mr Teo will probably write back, if he ever, that 'we need to move on with the times'. The favourite line of Ministers.
Soojenn said…
They already welcome "chickens" from the PRC in droves, what is a former stripper compared to these prostitutes in form of "study mama", students studying english.. and god knows what.. you see in Joo Chiat, Geylang..

For a change, they prefer a "kwai por" Teo may tell you not to be a prude.. hahaha.
Amaryllis said…
I am not sure I understand - is pole-dancing going to be part of the opening ceremony? Or is she going to choreograph another type of dance for the ceremony. And if it is another type of dance, I am sure there must have many other professional dancers to pick from.