By Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports
Mr Ng Ser Miang, Chairman of the Singapore Olympic Foundation, was present to officiate the opening ceremony of the third edition of the Singapore Youth Olympic Festival. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Woodlands Sports Centre, Saturday, May 31, 2014 — ActiveSG and the Singapore Olympic Foundation collaborated to kick off the third edition of the Singapore Youth Olympic Festival.
The opening ceremony of the 2014 Singapore Youth Olympic Festival (SYOF) was officiated by Mr Ng Ser Miang, Chairman of the Singapore Olympic Foundation. Originally conceived to celebrate the anniversary of the inaugural Singapore Youth Olympic Games, the SYOF provides a platform for youths, aged 18 and below, to showcase their sporting talents. The SYOF will encompass six sports and will be held from May 31 to June 6.
“This year, we have a new partner, ActiveSG. Sport Singapore and ActiveSG has generated a lot of interest, and encouraged Singaporeans to take up sports and live an active lifestyle. I hope that this collaboration will bring all Singaporeans together, especially the youths, to celebrate the Olympic movement,” said Mr Ng.
“It’s an honour to take part in the opening ceremony of the Singapore Youth Olympic Festival. The event is part of a way to show the younger generation that this is what sports is like, and if they really like it, they would also learn to enjoy it. This is something that we cannot teach them,” said national judoka Ho Han Boon.
The national judoka, along with his team mates, were participants in a series of martial arts displays at the event. “It’s good that we are here, as we get to mix around and make friends with athletes from the other martial arts too,” added Han Boon. Han Boon was a gold medallist in the judo over-100kg category at the recent 27th SEA Games.
The second of a series of ActiveSG Sports Festivals was also held at the same time.
ActiveSG is a national movement helmed by Sport Singapore (SportSG). It seeks to create a sporting environment for all Singaporeans and serves to provide a wide variety of affordable sports programmes for everyone. It is one of the recommendations of Vision 2030.
Themed “Sports, Youth & Culture”, the Sports Festival included various sports try-outs such as free-to-play futsal, football and ultimate frisbee games. Families also participated in a treasure hunt and took part in mini dragon float races at the pool. In conjunction with the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival, there were also tea and dumpling appreciation activities for members of the public.
13-year-old Muhammad Zulkifli took part in futsal games with his friends. “I think it’s fun because they don’t usually let people play on the field here. If they can do this every week, my friends and I will come down every week,” said the Marsiling Secondary student.
Members of the public also had the opportunity to sign up for the free ActiveSG membership. The membership is valid for life and it is open to all Singaporeans and permanent residents.
Tan Chong Meng, 64, who lives just opposite Woodlands Stadium, heads to the track to run regularly on weekday evenings. “I saw the posters, so I decided to come down to take a look. I think the whole idea about the membership is great, as it can encourage people in the area to use the sports facilities more. Every Singaporean loves free things after all,” laughed Tan.
For more information on the Singapore Youth Olympic Festival, visit: http://www.syof.sg/about-us/singapore-youth-olympic-festival
For more information on the ActiveSG Sports Festivals, visit: http://www.myactivesg.com/about-activesg/activesg-sport-festivals
For more information on the ActiveSG membership, visit: www.myactivesg.com
To sign up for the ActiveSG membership, visit: members.myactivesg.com
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