Mr Timothy Fok, Vice President, Olympic Council of Asia; Mr Niam Chiang Meng, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports; Members of the delegation from Olympic Council of Asia; Mr Ng Ser Miang, Chairman of Singapore Asian Youth Games Organising Committee; Members of Singapore Asian Youth Games Organising Committee; Distinguished guests; Ladies and Gentlemen,
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Thank you for taking the time to join us this evening at this important occasion. Tonight, we are gathered together here to launch Asia’s first major games for youths, the Asian Youth Games – Singapore 2009, which will be taking place in Singapore next year. |
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On behalf of the Singapore National Olympic Council, I would like to thank the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) for the confidence bestowed on us to organize this 1st Edition of the Asian Youth Games (AYG) in Singapore. We are indeed privileged to have the honour of hosting this inaugural Asian Youth Games with the Olympic Council of Asia. |
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The Asian Youth Games - Singapore 2009 will be the fourth multi-sport event that Singapore will be hosting, with the first three events being the Southeast Asia Games in 1973, 1983 and 1993. The Asian Youth Games will be the first Asian level multi-sport event to be held in Singapore and will be a prelude to the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010. It will provide young Asian athletes as well as the organizers in Singapore the opportunity to prepare for the Youth Olympic Games. |
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In June 2009, eight months from now, Singapore will welcome 1,000 young athletes and thousands of other visitors to our shores for this inaugural Asian Youth Games. The Asian Youth Games will provide the opportunity for emerging athletes from Asia to meet and build lasting friendships through friendly competition based on the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect.
These timeless values will serve as their guiding light in their pursuit for sporting excellence and beyond. |
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Preparations for the Asian Youth Games are progressing well.
The Singapore Asian Youth Games Organising Committee (SAYGOC) comprising members from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Education, the Singapore Sports Council, the various National Sports Associations and the Singapore National Olympic Council has been formed to organize the Games.
The Singapore Asian Youth Games Organising Committee has begun operational planning and all will be ready for the athletes and officials by June 2009.
I am confident that together with the Olympic Council of Asia, and with the dedication and hard work of the organizing committee and the many volunteers, we will be able to deliver a successful Games and a memorable experience not only for the participants, but also officials, guests and spectators who will be in Singapore for the Games.
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Thank you. |
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