Speech at Asian Games for Toddlers @ South West (In Conjunction With Asian Youth Games Torch Relay @ South West)
Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister , Jurong Point Shopping Centre
Dr Amy Khor, Mayor of South West District and Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Boys and Girls,
Introduction
1. A very good Sunday morning to everyone.
2. I am happy to join you today for the Asian Youth Games (AYG) Singapore 2009 Torch Relay @ South West. Today's Torch Relay is a prelude to the AYG Opening Ceremony, which will be held tomorrow.
Asian Youth Games Singapore 2009
3. The inaugural AYG is the first multi-sports event for youth across Asia. This represents a major milestone in Singapore's sporting history. It is an excellent platform to showcase our nation to other Asian countries, and will help us forge stronger ties with our Asian neighbours. Bringing together competitive sports, culture and education makes the AYG a more holistic and enriching experience for all participants.
4. I am happy that today's AYG Singapore 2009 Torch Relay promotes the three Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect. To encourage Singaporeans to join in the action, the Torch Relay has fanned out across the island with a host of community events to bring the action to the heartlands. It is also heartening to have more than 200 young people and community stakeholders with us here at the South West AYG Heartlands Relay. I have been told that there are a total of 70,000 people participating in the island-wide celebrations.
Charity begins at Home
5. In line with the Olympic value of friendship, I am pleased that we are also doing our part for society. Today's participants have raised funds to support enrichment and developmental programmes for about 150 at-risk and disadvantaged youths from Teen Challenge and Autism Association (Singapore).
6. With the sponsorship of Heatec Jietong Pte Ltd and the South West CDC's dollar-for-dollar matching programme, a total of $20,000 has been raised for the two beneficiaries. This is indeed a good start.
Conclusion
7. In the true spirit of Excellence, Friendship and Respect, let us work together as a team to make AYG2009 a success. With that, I wish you an enjoyable and pleasant Sunday ahead. Thank you.