While AYG Singapore 2009 project team co-director Ng Eng Soon gave assurances that the Games will be delivered on time and that preparations are on track, he stressed that expectations of the service standards at the Games should be pegged to that of a regional youth age group standard.

Ng, who reiterated that the focus of the Games will remain on balancing sports, culture and education, was speaking at a seminar on Thursday.

He gave an update on the organising committe's progress and highlighted some of the key challenges ahead.

Also present at the start of the two-day seminar were five representatives from the Olympic Council of Asia, who (OCA) shared their experience in organising an Asian-level Games with the AYG organising committee.

Although organisers did not give an update on the AYG budget, the previously estimated cost to host the Games is more than $13 million.

Ng conceded that the response from sponsors has been slow so far but remained positive amid the current financial crisis.

'It may even help us,' he said. 'We are launching request for proposals (in nine areas including services such as catering and transportation) and if the market is quieter, perhaps they can come in with a more competitive price.'

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