Games in the Kampong

Ask any adults on the street of Singapore what games they played when they were young. Games ranging from soccer to chapteh brought the "Kampong Kids' together since their young days.

In this Chapter, we will be introducing different types of games that people in the Kampong play. This games are traditional ones played since the 1950s as pastimes for kids.

Sepak Takraw

Sepak Takraw is a game that dates back to the rich malay history. It has been played over the early years of SIngapore as a pastime for many children.

Sepak Takraw is usually played by a few people, where they pass a rattan ball around. The objective of the game is to keep the ball in the air as they use many different methods.

In competitive sport, the teams are usualy split into 2 teams, consisting of each 3 players and a net. Both teams will try to hit the rattan ball onto the other side of the net. Currently, Sepak Takraw is an internationally recognised sport and has a foundation called the International Sepak Takraw Foundation, and has a lot of countries competing in the sport.

We hope you will try out the sport and enjoy it!

Soccer

Soccer, otherwise known as football, is a worldwide sport widely known by almost everyone, and maybe everyone has tried it. Kampong soccer, no doubt, has the same rules as normal ones such as the sole use of legs.

Many of us have tried soccer before, but have you tried it like the kids which spend their lives in the kampong? KIds use just a dusty, brandless ball. Most use their bare feet and run freely on the sandy ground as they compete against each other, if you dont mind, why not try it their way and play barefooted, as a relaxing sport, I'm sure you will enjoy it!

Football is managed by Fédération Internationale de Football Association, otherwise known as FIFA, which holds the world cup and other competitons. Many have excelled at the sport like players such as Messi or Di Maria.

Chapteh

Chapteh is a traditional sport that also dates back a long time due to its availbillity and easy-to-play rules. It is also stilll widely played by many even today!

Chapteh is played using a "chapteh" which is made up of a rubber or plastic sole with several feathers around it (See Diagram at the side). It's design allows it to almost always land on the base straight up. The aim of this game is to keep the chapteh in the air as long as possibe. Besides deriving fun from this simple game, it can also improve hand-eye coordination in the long run.

This game is recognised by International shuttlecock Federation but does not have a lot of competition unlike traditional games such as the Sepak Takraw. However, do still try the sport and we hope you enjoy it.

Five-Stones

Five-stones is played in a group, where the main objective is to throw up as many 'stones' as possible, and catch them on the back of your hand. If all the stones fall to the ground. Your turn is over.

This is a very tricky game to play as it requires high levels of concentration and the slightest falter or mistake could lead to a game loss.

This game could get quite addictive, as many people yearn to be able to master the game, so they can beat anyone they play