Contributed by Phua Kai Ting

Singapore Sports School, December 19, 2009 - Preparations for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games (Singapore 2010) are well in progress, with the Singapore Sports School being the latest competition venue to show its readiness for the Games.

The Sports School is hosting the first modern pentathlon qualification competition in Singapore from 19 to 20 December 2009. The Asia-Oceania Youth Olympic Games Qualification Competition will see 27 athletes from eight National Olympic Committees (NOCs) vying for a chance to compete at Singapore 2010.

The competition is an opportunity for the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) to put into practice their planning in venue operations, training of officials and volunteers who will be managing competitions during Singapore 2010.

Mr Klaus Schormann, president of Union International de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM), gave his vote of confidence to preparations for the modern pentathlon events in Singapore 2010.

"The facilities and organisation is on par with what we would have in an international championship, and the equipment is also in great condition. Singapore 2010 has certainly created more interest in the sport of modern pentathlon, and I look forward to seeing participation from more young pentathletes in Singapore."

"In hosting the first Youth Olympic Games, we hope to create a lasting sports legacy for Singapore. The introduction of modern pentathlon and formation of the Singapore Modern Pentathlon Association (SIMPA) have added to the vibrancy of the local sporting scene," said Mr Goh Kee Nguan, Chief Executive Officer of SYOGOC.

"Some of the competition venues are right in the heartlands. This is a chance for members of the public to learn more about different sports, and at the same time, lend their support to the Games," he added.

Athletes taking part in this qualification competition would have been training for this moment since the beginning of this year. For many of them, it will be the only chance they will get to qualify for Singapore 2010, as the only other opportunity is the World Youth A Championships in April 2010 in Sweden.

It is also the first opportunity that Singaporean pentathletes have to compete in an international competition. Singapore representatives will be selected from this competition to compete in the Singapore 2010.