More CCA Blogs Launched But...

More CCAs are opting to set up official blogs to disseminate news for future activities, enable members to post reflections of events and engage with the growing online audience. The softball team had just launched its very own blog a few days ago (you can view it HERE) and one of my sources told me that the badminton squad is looking forward to open its blog soon. There are currently about five active CCA blogs in our college blogosphere so far.











Our softball team's newly launched blog.

I believe there are three reasons why more CCAs are choosing to run official blogs instead of maintaining their web pages. Firstly, it is easier to update posts and announcements by using blogs as a medium to transmit them. CCAs are facing a huge difficulty in finding the best people with the right skills to revise their web pages. You need to at least have knowledge of basic HTML in order to update the web page (properly). By contrast, team members can easily insert slide shows, videos and music onto their blogs without much trouble.

Another reason is probably because our CCAs are realizing the benefits of allowing any member to update the blogs. Instead of relying on one web master to maintain the website, why not extend the authorship to all members so that information can be shared faster. Besides, members are also free to write reflection posts of past events that they were in. They can exchange tags and comments with each other. This can help strengthen the bond between team members.











The official blog for members of TPJC Interact Club.

Finally, another advantage that blogs carry is anonymity for their readers. Sometimes, students are interested in a particular CCA but are just too shy to ask information about it. Chat boxes embedded onto blogs help solve this problem as anyone can request information while retaining their anonymity. Yes, although the chat boxes can be installed onto web pages, the process may not be as simple as that by using blogs.

Nonetheless, how do our CCAs fully utilize their blogs? Well, the RSS feed tool available for blogs allows readers to subscribe to the blog's feed content and receive the latest updates through the web browser. The service is free and is updated automatically. This means that members will receive post updates from their CCA blog instantly whenever they open their web browsers. This is just one way CCAs can fully utilize their blogs and skip the SMS route.











A blog owned by the TPJC Indian Cultural Society members.

Another fact about CCA blogs is that it can die very easily. The reason is because we do not have CCA-related events or outings every week or so and members usually post their reflections only after an event has ended. Therefore, do not be surprised to view 'What to blog about?! I have nothing to post!!' tags all over some CCA blogs. Another possible outcome is that members may resort to spamming in a desperate attempt to revive the blog.

A guide to fully utilize your CCA blogs will be published soon. =)

ICS And Softball Show How Soccer Can Be Used To Save The College Spirit

Written by Muhamad Shahrin Izhar B M S (08S12).
[The blogger also owns his personal blog here.]

The softball team had played a game of soccer with the Indian Cultural Society (ICS) before and it was a pretty close contest then. It was not long before we decided to hold another match in college. But this time, it was more "official" as it was planned beforehand and we were all in proper game attire (boots, long socks and all).

I guess the match served as a form of recreation since it was the end of the Promos and all. The match was played on 26th September at around 5pm. It was almost like a real soccer match; the only difference was that we used half the field. It was 30 minutes a half, with a 10-minute break in between. We were caught in a hilarious situation even before the match kicked off when we realized that we did not have a ball to play with! We had to borrow one in the end. (Haha, talk about poor planning.)

To be honest, I thought that the Softball players had a smaller chance at winning the match. I felt that ICS had more people who were skilful in soccer, but it was just a friendly game after all. We just wanted to have fun.

It was a nail biting match. There were several attempts made at goal by both teams. A lot of the shots came close to reaching the back of the net. Credit went to the goalkeepers for their excellent forms. ICS took the lead at first, but Softball soon equalized. The score line was dramatic – it began with 1 - 0, then 1 - 1, 2 - 1, 2 – 2 and so on.

A piece of the action, unedited:

It was after ICS scored their sixth goal. I had a chance to equalize. I managed to get the ball near the ICS penalty area. I dribbled the ball in, running as fast as I could. I thought of passing, but I didn't know if I could think fast enough. So I decided to go for the shot. I used the outside part of my right foot to try and tap it in, but at the very last moment, an ICS defender, Bharet, came in sliding. It threw me off a little bit, and it caused me to fall forwards. I knew right then that my shot would miss. But it was so close to going in, which made it even more disappointing. I wasn't injured, but after I was helped up by another ICS player, I saw Bharet on the floor. I thought that he was injured, but it turns out, he was fine. I helped him up, and we laughed it off. A scary moment, but after that every single one of us was back into the game, with the Softballers trying to equalize, and the ICS members trying to seal the deal.

Time was running out, but a touch of brilliance by the ICS members allowed them to extend their lead by a goal to make it 6-5. It was demoralizing for the Softball players but we kept on fighting. We never gave up. We hit the post a couple of times and got so close to scoring. Luck was just not on our side. In the dying moments of the match, ICS scored the seventh and final goal. The match ended with an impressive score line of 7 – 5 favouring the ICS team. I was disappointed, but I knew that the Softball team had given it their all.

It was a tough experience for me and the other Muslims who were playing because we were fasting. It really drained me. I felt thirsty after the match but I had fun. I am sure the rest of the players had fun too. Both teams played well. It was a huge demonstration of persistence and teamwork. The players also showed sportsmanship. Members from both teams laughed with each other at our fumbles, smiles were written all over our faces. The point is, we had fun.

As a Softball player, I must say that ICS is a good team. They have very good soccer players in their team, and they made good passes. I definitely feel that more soccer matches should be played among the various CCAs. It could serve as a way to bond us all together as well as a platform for us to make new friends. After all, we're all from the same college right?

I believe that ICS would be playing against the Malay Cultural Society (MCS) next week. I wish both sides all the best, and I hope that no one gets hurt. After all, it is just a friendly game. The word "friendly" should mean something. We're all friends at the end. It doesn't matter who wins or loses. I'm thankful for the experience, and I think that the Softball players and the ICS members would be closer friends now that we've had such a pleasant experience together.