S'pore gives rousing welcome to cream of Asia's youth
By
Leonard Lim
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (centre) Ng Ser Miang (left) and Timothy Fok Tsun Ting with the delegates in finale at the Asian Youth Games at Singapore Indoor Stadium. -- ST PHOTOS: ALBERT SIM
IN AN event meant to showcase youthful athleticism over the next eight days, Monday's opening was the perfect start, with the energy and exuberance of student performers stealing the show.
For a change, some of Asia's finest young athletes were spectators, as hundreds of thousands of people across the continent joined them to watch a visual extravaganza on television and over the Internet, as the curtain rose on the inaugural Asian Youth Games (AYG).
For two hours, the Singapore Indoor Stadium was a carpet of human artistry, as the hosts' multi-cultural diversity was manifested through song and dance.
And amid the kaleidoscope of colours, the vigour of the 1,400 performers from 20 schools was one befitting the Games' youth-oriented element.
From lithe gymnasts pulling off acrobatic backflips to graceful dancers impressing with their choreographed moves, the acts brought smiles and cheers to the audience, who included Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Mr Lee, the guest of honour, wrote in his welcome message in the event's official programme: 'The Asian Youth Games is more than a sports event. It is also an occasion for young people to learn one another's cultures, make new friends and share an unforgettable experience.'
But, even before yesterday's official opening, the spectre of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus has hung over the Games.
Malaysia have withdrawn the bulk of their contingent because of fears over the virus and five foreign footballers here for the preliminary rounds were infected, but all this was temporarily forgotten amid the cacophony of song and dance.
And Singapore will have other reasons to cheer over the next seven days of competition. The AYG - a test event ahead of next year's Youth Olympic Games - is the biggest sporting party on these shores since the 1993 South-east Asia Games.
Among the more than 1,200 athletes aged between 14 and 17 lie some raw diamonds who could be the continent's future household names.
Please read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.
