12,000 SG Residents Celebrate The Opening Of The Singapore National Games 2012 At Punggol Waterway

12,000 Singapore Residents Of All Ages, Races And Backgrounds Celebrate The Opening Of The Singapore National Games 2012 At Punggol Waterway

Singapore, 1 September 2012 - About 12,000 people comprising residents, athletes and volunteers from all walks of life were part of the inaugural Singapore National Games (SNG) 2012 Opening Ceremony at Punggol Waterway this evening, jointly organised by the People's Association (PA) and Singapore Sports Council (SSC). The event brought residents of different races, ages and backgrounds from all over Singapore to celebrate the opening of the first-ever SNG together, demonstrating the 'We are One' Singapore Spirit at the same time.

2. Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong declared the SNG open after witnessing the passing of the SNG Baton among six Baton bearers which included Mr Patrick Teo, Community Sports Clubs Council Chairman, Ms Emelyn Tang, 8, Mr Kor Hong Fatt, 80, the youngest and oldest SNG 2012 athletes respectively, and Ms Feng Tianwei, Team Singapore athlete. The Baton had previously travelled through the 87 constituencies during the One Community Walk on 26 August 2012 with about 1,740 residents involved as SNG Baton bearers, signifying the community spirit behind the Games. 10 athletes of different age and race, each representing the 10 sports of the SNG, then took the SNG Pledge.

3. A special ceremonial Sail Past comprising 30 specially decorated Cluster rafts sailed beautifully down the waterway in a riot of colours with their innovative designs. Residents from each Cluster specially designed and built two rafts, one featuring their Cluster identity, and the other a sports theme, to express their love and support for SNG 2012. This activity helped to bring the participants closer. The Cluster with the most creatively designed raft will win a prize. As the rafts gathered together to form a circle on water in the dusk, 100 kayaks gushed in to join them in the formation just as 1,200 big balloon balls were released into the crowd from the bridge. Many excited hands went up to meet the balls as they found their way into the water. A beautiful balloon arch then sprung up across the river marking the finale of the SNG 2012 Opening Ceremony this evening.

4. Earlier in the afternoon, the crowd was also treated to roving Cheer Entertainment by the 15 Clusters in their respective Cluster sports theme attire. Some of the acts included a Bubbles Magician, Ball Juggling, Cheerleading and Balloon Sculpting. These activities further roused the celebratory mood of the residents present. And for many, this was only the beginning of a memorable Games for all. Competitions for SNG 2012 have already started in the morning and more will follow over the next nine days across the island.

Annex

The Singapore National Games 2012
List of SNG Baton Bearers and Pledge-Takers

(I) List of SNG 2012 Baton Bearers

(II) List of SNG 2012 Pledge-Takers

The Singapore National Games 2012
SNG Athletes & Officials' Oath

The athletes and officials raise their right hands while reciting the oath in unison:

"On behalf of all the athletes and officials taking part in the Singapore National Games, we promise to abide by the rules of the Games, in the true spirit of sportsmanship and for the honour of our people and greater good of our communities."

The Singapore National Games 2012
Fact Sheet - Cluster Raft Design Competition

OBJECTIVES
(a) To ignite the sporting passion of all Singaporeans
(b) To leverage on the occasion to build bonds and friendship among residents
(c) To demonstrate the "We are one" Singapore Spirit

WATER CONTINGENT SAIL PAST DURING SNG 2012 OPENING CEREMONY AT PUNGGOL WATERWAY

1. Each Cluster will have two rafts to participate in the water contingent Sail Past. All clusters are required to design one raft based on the selected sports theme and the other raft based on cluster identity.

2. The water contingent will row through the Punggol Waterway from the start point to the kayak point where the whole parade will end. Approximate distance is 1.2km.

CRITERIA

• Each Cluster will have to construct and decorate the two Rafts, where each raft is made of 4 Double Open Top Kayaks and a Triple Kayak in the middle.

• Each Cluster will be judged based on their creative presentation, decoration, costumes, props, synchronisation, energy level, special X factor and interesting presentation of Sports/Cluster branding and identity.

HOW ARE CLUSTER CONTINGENT ASSESSED?

• Creative presentation

• Decoration of the Raft

• Creative use of props & costumes

• Level of synchronisation and energy level

• Cluster identity and passion and love for SNG

WHEN WILL THE RESULTS OF THE AWARDS BE ANNOUNCED?

Results will be announced after the closing ceremony of the SNG 2012 on 9 September 2012 at Bishan Stadium.