Now that Singapore has won the rights to host the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2010, the country's bid committee is on the lookout for volunteers to make the inaugural edition a memorable one.

The event involves 3,200 athletes, 800 officials and will cost US$30 million ($42.3 million) to host. To ensure that it is staged without any glitches, Parliamentary Secretary (Community Development, Youth and Sports) Teo Ser Luck is calling for Singaporeans to come forward and help.

'We need referees, site managers, conveners, volunteers for the home-stay experience,'' he said yesterday.

'There is a special need for young officials as we hope the YOG can be done by the youths for the youths.

'The organising committee is still in the midst of drawing up a list of people we need.

'Once we've identified the various groups of people we want, interested candidates will have to undergo the relevant qualification tests.''

Mr Teo was also keen to emphasise that the first YOG will involve not just the corporate sector and officialdom, but also members of the public.

He said: 'Before and after we won the bid, many Singaporeans came forward and asked if they could volunteer.

'That's a very encouraging sign as I believe the YOG is not only for the youth. There's also a place for the elderly and Singaporeans from all walks of life.

'Most importantly, we need every Singaporean to be an ambassador for our country.

'We are hosting a historic event and it's important that our people show the world that we are a courteous nation which knows how to welcome visitors.''