| 1. |
Singapore has been to thirteen Commonwealth Games, beginning
in 1958 in Cardiff in the UK. |
| 2. |
In a few short weeks, Singapore will be sending its largest
ever contingent of Commonwealth Games athletes, to the 18th
Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. This year, we will be fielding
63 athletes in Melbourne, more than double our largest contingent
of 29 athletes to the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
Not only are we sending more athletes, we are sending more women.
For the first time too our female athletes will outnumber male
athletes, 36 to 27. This is because of our National netball
team, which has qualified for the Commonwealth Games for the
first time. |
| 3. |
Other firsts for Team Singapore at the Games:
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• |
We will see our first gymnast at the Commonwealth
Games, with 17 year-old Hoe Wah Toon in the Men’s
Vault; |
| |
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Our biggest swimming team with 13 |
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And also our biggest representation of shooters, 11
in all with air pistol and rifle shooters making up the
majority. |
|
| 4. |
Four athletes will be representing Singapore in the Elite
Athletes with Disability (EAD) events in Melbourne, as against
two in Manchester 2002. The EAD events have been integrated
into the main program at the Commonwealth Games for only the
second time. |
| 5. |
With our biggest contingent to the Melbourne Games, can we
better our best medal tally of 13 medals: 4 gold, 2 silver and
7 bronze medals at the 2002 Commonwealth Games? It is not impossible,
but we must realize that it will be difficult. There will be
71 countries competing at the Commonwealth Games, and the standard
is much higher than that of the 11-country SEA Games. You will
see many professional athletes in Melbourne, an uncommon phenomenon
at the SEA games. |
| 6. |
Of our 63 athletes, more than one third (24 athletes) will
be 18 or younger - 9 athletes in swimming, 6 in badminton, 4
in shooting, 4 in table tennis and 1 in gymnastics. These young
athletes have earned their place in the Team by meeting the
qualifying requirements. Melbourne will be their first experience
of the Commonwealth Games. |
| 7. |
To our athletes, whether you win a medal or not, I would like
to commend and thank you for the effort, the sacrifice and the
accomplishments in the arduous months of preparation for the
Commonwealth Games. Do your best and do so in the true spirit
of sportsmanship. Achieving a personal best or a national record
would be a fine accomplishment; a medal of any colour would
be a bonus and really do our country proud. |
| 8. |
I would also want to take a moment to thank the sponsors
who have come forward to support our Team for the Commonwealth
Games
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The Totalisator Board – for sponsoring
the Team to the Games |
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Sunrise & Co.- for the official Yonex outfit for
the athletes and officials. |
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Singapore Post - who will be issuing special stamps
of our medal winning athletes. |
|
| 9. |
And last but not least, Republic Polytechnic, which graciously
extended a helping hand to host and organize this event on their
premises. |
| 10. |
I ask you all to join me in wishing the Chef de Mission, Dr.
Tan Eng Liang, and the entire Team the very best in the Commonwealth
Games in Melbourne. |
Thank You.
