Upgrading Works for Inaugural Asian Youth Games and Singapore 2010 Right on Track
Singapore, 29 April 2009 – In preparation for the 1st Asian Youth Games (AYG) Singapore 2009, the Singapore Sports Council (SSC), co-organiser of the AYG, has been ramping up its upgrading works for the facilities that will be used during the milestone event. The SSC has specially expedited some of its facilities’ cyclical maintenance plans to ensure that these facilities are ready to host some 1,100 athletes and 300 officials who will be converging in Singapore in June for the AYG.
2 Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Ministry of Transport, Mr Teo Ser Luck, was on-site today at the Bishan Stadium, together with members of the SSC and Singapore 2010 senior management team to inspect the progress on the upgrading work that is currently underway. The Bishan Stadium will be used to host athletics events for the AYG, as well as for the Youth Olympic Games Singapore 2010.
3 Commenting on SSC’s progress in upgrading its facilities, Mr Oon Jin Teik, Chief Executive Officer, SSC, and Co-Chair of the 1st Asian Youth Games Singapore 2009 Organising Committee (SAYGOC), said: “Our overall upgrading preparations for the AYG and Singapore 2010 are right on track. Both the Games’ Organising Committees have been working closely together to ensure that there is no duplication in the venue upgrading plans. Specifically, our AYG upgrading plans have been deliberately mapped over that of Singapore 2010’s so as to exercise fiscal prudence and achieve economies of scale, translating into cost effectiveness. I am confident that the improvements made to the facilities will not only ensure that both athletes and spectators have an enjoyable sporting experience at the Games, but also from which the Singapore community can benefit for the long haul.”
4 Competition venues such as the Bishan Stadium, Toa Payoh Swimming Complex and Jalan Besar Stadium have been undergoing some major refurbishments over the past few months. General upgrading works include the enhancement of floodlights to meet TV broadcasting requirements, and enhancements to athletes’ dressing rooms as well as public lavatories.
5 Improvements have also been made to some of the facilities to meet sport-specific needs such as the replacement of the synthetic football pitch at Jalan Besar Stadium; resurfacing of the synthetic running track at Bishan Stadium for athletics; upgrading of the diving platform at the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex for aquatics; and enhancement of the slipway and breakwater at the National Sailing Centre for sailing.
6 “The AYG and Singapore 2010 serve to tangibly catalyse the larger SSC objectives by way of the planned legacy achieved via the venue upgrading work: the refurbished facilities spread over the satellite heartland towns afford a highly-developed environment for our youths to better pursue sporting excellence. They will also help SSC’s cause in increasing sports participation in the community,” added Mr Oon.
7 This is only the first phase of upgrading work that the SSC has in its plans. The first phase ensures that the facilities to be used for the AYG will meet competition needs. The second phase, scheduled for the latter stages of 2009 and early 2010, will ensure that Singapore’s sports infrastructure will be ready for the Singapore 2010 Games.
8 Overseeing the facilities’ upgrades for the Games, Mr Kenneth Hui, Chief, Sports Facilities Group, SSC, concluded: “Our facilities are used by millions of people in Singapore and we have been keeping them relevant and safe for the public through planned cyclical maintenance and renovations over the years. With AYG and Singapore 2010, we have expedited some of our long-term plans for our facilities. Now, our facilities have moved a level up and have the ability to host major international competitions. This will only strengthen our capabilities to host more world-class sports events in Singapore from here on end.”
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Issued by the Singapore Asian Youth Games Organising Committee
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 is 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 90 events across nine sports from 29 June to 7 July 2009. Please visit www.ayg2009.com.sg for more information.
About Singapore Sports Council
The Singapore Sports Council (SSC) is Singapore’s lead agency tasked with developing sports in Singapore. Our vision is to create a Sporting Singapore where Sports is a way of life. SSC aims to develop sports champions and create enjoyable sporting experiences for Singapore through the three strategic thrusts of cultivating a sporting culture, achieving sports excellence and creating a vibrant sports industry. Formed on 1 October 1973, SSC is a statutory board under the purview of the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. Please visit the SSC website at www.ssc.gov.sg for more information.
About the Ministry of Education
The Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) formulates and implements education policies and programmes in consultation with its stakeholders. These policies and programmes aim to help all students discover their talents, realise their potential, and develop a passion for learning that lasts through life. MOE also oversees the development and management of the Government and Government-aided primary schools, secondary schools and junior colleges. Please visit www.moe.gov.sg for more information.
Tanty Nazlianah Rosli
Senior Executive
Marketing Communications Division
Sports Marketing Group
Singapore Sports Council
230 Stadium Boulevard
Singapore 397799
6500 5241 6346 1842
Tanty_NAZLIANAH@ssc.gov.sg
www.ssc.gov.sg