SINGAPORE'S 90-member contingent for the inaugural Asian Youth Games has been unveiled, with a mix of fresh faces and experienced athletes ready to spearhead the Republic's medal challenge.

The contingent - led by chef de mission and national shooter Lee Wung Yew - will compete in all nine sports: aquatics, athletics, 3-on-3 basketball, beach volleyball, bowling, football, sailing, shooting and table tennis.

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The only discipline which will not be contested by the hosts during the June 29-July 9 Games is diving, a subset of the aquatics competition which will also feature swimming.

The list of athletes - aged between 14 and 17 - was released yesterday by the Singapore National Olympic Council, following a selection committee meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and SNOC president Teo Chee Hean.

Much of the selection was done with next year's Youth Olympic Games in mind.

Said SNOC secretary-general Chris Chan: 'Many of the national sports associations have good youth development programmes, and this is shown in the quality of the contingent.

'If these athletes capitalise on their AYG experience and maintain their standards, they should do well at the YOG.'

According to the SNOC, a range of criteria was used to select the athletes. For instance, they should at least be in the top eight of their age group in Asia.

Among those who made the cut are familiar names who are expected to lead the medal charge.

Swimming, which has the largest contingent of 24 athletes, will be helmed by Olympians and national record holders Quah Ting Wen and Lynette Lim.

Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.