Preparation For The First Ever Asian Youth Games Shifts Into High Gear

Preparation For The First-Ever Asian Youth Games Shifts Into High Gear

Confirmed sports programme and appointment of competition managers unveiled at the Sports Networking Session 2009

Singapore, 13 February 2009 - The Singapore Asian Youth Games Organising Committee (SAYGOC) announced the details of the sports programme for the world's first Asian Youth Games (AYG) at Singapore Sports Council's (SSC) Sports Networking Session this evening.

2. The AYG, which will be held from 29 June to 7 July 2009, will feature a total of 90 events across 9 sports - aquatics (swimming and diving), athletics, basketball FIBA 33 (3-on-3), beach volleyball, bowling, football, sailing, shooting and table tennis. Football will be kicking off two weeks prior to the official opening of the game, beginning 17 June 2009 onwards to accommodate the qualifying rounds prior to the start of the main rounds.

3. Singaporeans can expect to be part of the action during the Games as these events will be taking place at 10 venues across Singapore. To make the events more accessible for Singaporeans, sports such as diving, athletics, basketball FIBA 33 (3-on-3), football and table tennis are slated to take place in the heartlands such as Bishan, Toa Payoh and Yishun.

4. This evening also saw the engagement of nine AYG Competition Managers. An official ceremony was held during the event, during which the Competition Managers received the official appointment letters from SAYGOC. The role of the Competition Managers is to oversee the smooth running of the competitions at their respective event venues. They will also be liaising with other areas to ensure the coordinated delivery of support services such as accreditation, transport, medical, venue operations and volunteer management.

5. Mr Oon Jin Teik, Chief Executive Officer, SSC and Co-Chair of SAYGOC, said, "The inaugural Asian Youth Games achieve many firsts for Singapore - this is the first multi-sports games for Asian youth to be held in Singapore; the first time a multi-sports games is being organised in a record time of under 12 months; the first time we're housing a Games Village in a resort theme park - in line with the element of youth and fun. There are also a few other groundbreaking concepts that we're currently finalising and will announce soon. While the planning timeframe has been extremely tight, I'm happy to update that we're on track to deliver a quality games that will provide a new games experience for participants and spectators alike. As Singapore prepares to welcome Asia's youth to this truly unique games, we look forward to the continued strong support of all partners in the private, public and people sectors."

6. At the Session, Miss Sum Chee Wah, Director, Education Programmes, Ministry of Education (MOE) and Co-Chair of SAYGOC, shared details on the AYG Athletes' Games Village. Miss Sum said, "The Asian Youth Games Village will provide a vibrant, secure, friendly and comfortable environment for the athletes during their stay. It will be a home away from home as it provides services and numerous facilities to ensure that the athletes are well rested and ready for the competitions. We hope that the Village experiences of the Asian athletes will be remembered fondly long after they return home and the friendships made will last beyond the Games."

7. The Sports Networking Session is one of many platforms the SSC has introduced to facilitate open communication with stakeholders and partners in the sporting fraternity.

Enclosures
Annex A - AYG Singapore 2009 Fact Sheet
Annex B - AYG Singapore 2009 Sports Events & Sports Venues
Annex C - AYG Singapore 2009 Competition Managers

About the 1st Asian Youth Games Singapore 2009
The Asian Youth Games (AYG) is an international multi-sports event held every four years to complement the existing Asian Games. The idea was first mooted as part of Singapore's Youth Olympic Games bid in 2007. On 3 April 2008, the Olympic Council of Asia's (OCA) Executive Board unanimously agreed to award the hosting of the first AYG to Singapore. This decision was backed by all 45 members of the OCA on 6 April 2008. The inaugural AYG which will be co-organised by the Singapore Sports Council and the Ministry of Education aims to gather the youth from around Asia in a celebration of youth, sports and learning where they will engage in friendly competition and imbibe the Olympic sporting values of excellence, friendship and respect. AYG Singapore 2009 will see athletes aged between 14 and 17 from 45 OCA member nations competing in 180 events across nine sports from 29 June to 7 July 2009.