The Singapore men's water polo team at the Asian Games in China is making waves for wearing boldly designed swimming trunks using elements from the national flag without official approval.
The government was not amused by the use of a white banana-shaped crescent moon on the groin of the bright red trunks.
"Unfortunately, the team did not seek our advice on the use of the crescent moon and stars when they designed their swim trunks," the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts said in a press statement.
"We would have told them that their design is inappropriate as we want elements of the flag to be treated with dignity.
" The word "Singapore" is emblazoned on the rear of the trunks. The team was scheduled to face Kuwait on Thursday for the fifth spot and Asian Games regulations forbid them from changing their attire.
A heated debate has erupted on news and social networking sites after pictures were published of the team in their eye-catching trunks.
"What the team did was disgusting and disrespectful," reader Zhang Pete said on local website xinmsn.
{{/usCountry}}"What the team did was disgusting and disrespectful," reader Zhang Pete said on local website xinmsn.
{{/usCountry}}"I tink its cool! im a swimmer myself, I wld love to have one too! u guys rock!" reader Neo wrote on Yahoo Singapore.