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OLYMPIC SOLIDARITY: Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan (left) greeting Chinese Ambassador to Singapore Zhang Xiaokang at the launch of the picture exhibition for the Beijing Olympics yesterday. Singapore will host the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010. -- PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
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SINGAPOREANS from all sectors will have a role to play in the organisation of the inaugural 2010 Youth Olympics.
Just as Singapore's bid for the Games became a national project involving not only the sports fraternity but also people from all walks of life, its organisation will also involve individuals from the public, private and 'people' sectors.
The names of the 22 Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) board members were released by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports yesterday.
Chaired by International Olympic Committee Executive Board member from Singapore Ng Ser Miang, the SYOGOC board features names both familiar and unfamiliar to the sports fraternity.
Former Olympic sprinter C.Kunalan and current national sailor Koh Seng Leong are among the recognisable sports personalities.
Among the new faces are Noel Hon, Singapore Kindness Movement chairman and president of the Singapore Scout Association, and Kenny Eng, business development manager, Nyee Phoe Group, and director of Gardenasia.
Speaking at the reception to launch the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games picture exhibition at Suntec City yesterday, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan said the Government-appointed board would have the full backing of all government agencies.
While acknowledging China's offer to assist with the 2010 Games' preparations - which was reiterated by Chinese Ambassador to Singapore Zhang Xiaokang yesterday - Dr Balakrishnan said that the YOG has to be authentically Singapore's.
He said: 'It has to reflect Singapore and what we stand for. We have to show the Singapore face to the world and therefore still need the man in the street, young people, old people, ordinary Singaporeans to get involved.'
Also revealed yesterday was the SYOGOC's structure.
The board will work with a panel of advisers - consisting of Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Finance and Minister for Education Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Dr Balakrishnan and MCYS Parliamentary Secretary Teo Ser Luck.
The board will oversee five sub-committees as well as work with the SYOGOC working team, which is likely to be headed by Brigadier-General Goh Kee Nguan.
marclim@sph.com.sg
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