HOSTS Singapore got off to an awful start in the 3rd Asian Youth Water Polo Championships at Toa Payoh Swimming Complex on Wednesday.

On the opening day of the Under-17 competition, the local boys crashed 6-13 to Kazakhstan in Group A in the morning while the girls lost 5-12 to India, also in Group A, in the evening.

The Kazakh boys showed they are the team to beat when they later thumped Sri Lanka 22-7, while the Kazakh girls thrashed Indonesia 19-4 in Group A. The Chinese girls are serious contenders too, after whacking Sri Lanka 33-2 in Group B.

Ten boys' teams are taking part, as are seven in the girls' section.