Published on 03 Jan 2024

'No football’ signs leave a void in the void deck

Increasingly, communities are displaying less tolerance towards impromptu play. Sazali Abdul Aziz, Assistant ST Now Editor, expressed in this commentary the importance of allowing children to engage in their games as long as they demonstrate civic-mindedness. He highlighted a recent incident where residents were upset about a $100 deposit requirement for using an astroturf futsal facility in Choa Chu Kang, contrasting it with his own past experiences where no payment was necessary. Aziz quoted Assoc Prof Laavanya Kathiravelu from NTU’s School of Social Sciences, who pointed out that a booking system reduces the opportunities for spontaneous play, especially for children who depend on adults to facilitate their play.

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