Relive National Spelling Championship The Big Spell buzz on TV

Winner Nicole Lim, flanked by second runner-up Kua Le Yi (left) of Catholic High School and first runner-up Thomas Ang of St Joseph’s Institution Junior. -- ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Winner Nicole Lim, flanked by second runner-up Kua Le Yi (left) of Catholic High School and first runner-up Thomas Ang of St Joseph’s Institution Junior. -- ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

For the first time, you can relive the heart-stopping moments of The Big Spell on television.

A half-hour programme of the highlights of this year's RHB-The Straits Times National Spelling Championship will air on StarHub's SuperSports Arena on Sept 24, with repeats until Oct 3.

Viewers can watch Singapore Chinese Girls' School Primary 5 pupil Nicole Lim, 10, beat 1,400 hopefuls in the quest for the title - from the written round to the live zonal round and the finals.

Ms Lee Soo Hui, head of StarHub's media business unit, said it is screening the event on its sports channel because "the event's competitive nature provides drama and excitement, key elements which make for engaging viewing and resonate with sports viewers".

The organisers - The Straits Times and the RHB Banking Group - hope the event's broadcast will reach a wider audience.

Said Ms Serene Goh, editor of The Straits Times' publications for schools, Little Red Dot and IN, whose team was part of the organising committee: "The event has always had a cult following, and now I hope its broadcast will allow far more people to appreciate how much work, sweat and nerves it takes for our competitors to perform so well."

Mr Jason Wong, country head of RHB Bank Berhad Singapore, said the programme suits all ages, especially families with young children. "They can take the opportunity to learn new words together, root for their favourite participants and test their own spelling abilities."

StarHub viewers can watch the programme premiere on Sept 24 at 7.30pm on Channel 112/205 or watch it on the go via StarHub TV Anywhere. Non-StarHub TV customers can tune their TV to the 76.25Mhz frequency.

ayiying@sph.com.sg

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