Remy Ong, Jazreel Tan Win Mixed Doubles Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling

Singapore’s bowling pair of Remy Ong and Jazreel Tan bagged the Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championship Mixed Doubles win on 26 November 2008.

Remy Ong and Jazreel Tan triumphed at the fourth (IV) Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championship at Dundonald Ice Bowl in Belfast, Ireland.

Both ten pin bowlers faced off the challenge from strong competitors to win the Mixed Doubles bowling championship with a total score of 2778 pinfalls.

Remy Ong and Jazreel Tan also broke the one game mixed doubles tournament record with their 557 pinfalls score.

Congratulations to Remy Ong and Jazreel Tan!

Shawn Ng and Remy Ong Win Commonwealth Ten Pin Bowling Championship Men's Doubles Gold

Singapore’s Shawn Ng and Remy Ong won the first gold medal for our nation in the Men’s Doubles event at the Commonwealth Ten Pin Bowling Championship in Belfast, Ireland on 25 November 2008.

Bowlers Shawn Ng and Remy Ong hit a combined total 2730 pinfalls to triumph over Paul Moor and Darren Cundy of England who scored 2678 pinfalls.

With this Commnwealth Ten Pin Bowling Championship gold medal win, Shawn Ng and Remy Ong have raised our hopes of more success in international bowling competitions.

Well done Shawn Ng and Remy Ong. Keep the Singapore bowling flag flying high!

Asian Youth Games (AYG) 2009 Competition Schedule

The competition schedule of the World's First Asian Youth Games 2009 (AYG 2009) has been released by the Singapore Asian Youth Games 2009 Organising Committee.

The Asian Youth Games (AYG) 2009 schedule is shown above.

Youths participating in the AYG Soccer competition will start their qualifying games from 22 June 2009 to 27 June 2009.

The Asian Youth Games (AYG) 2009 officially starts on 29 June 2009 to 07 July 2009.

Read more about Asian Youth Games 2009.

YOG Sports Presenters, Commentators, Hosts: Vacancies

The Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) is organising a camp to look for the next generation of sports presenters, commentators and hosts for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

The YOG sport presentation camp will offer 2 days of training for interested participants to become presenters, commentators and hosts for Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

At this YOG Sports Presentation camp, you will get an opportunity to present in front of a camera, be a host on site at the games venue, commentate on sports or even make announcements to introduce the athletes and during victory ceremonies. Learn the ropes on how to become a YOG Sports presenter, commentator and host.

After the two-day camp, interested youths will progress onto a half-year-long training programme before you take on the Games as presenters, commentators or hosts.

In between, there will also be hosting opportunities to hone presentation skills, athletes to interview and show to present on camera. Come Youth Olympic Games time in 2010, you will be able to add flavour to the sports and excitement to the stands at every venue.

Details of Camp For YOG Sports Presenters, Commentators, Hosts:
Qualifying age:
14 and above

Training Venue:
Singapore Youth Olympic Games
Organising Committee
1 Kay Siang Road
Singapore 248922

Closing Date for Registration:
08 December 2008

Places for YOG Sports Presenters, Commentators, Hosts are limited. Signing up for the camp is free! Grab this once in a lifetime chance and you could be on your way to become the next big thing in the Singapore sports media scene.

For more details on becoming YOG presenters, commentators and hosts, please contact: Ms Foo Shu Yi at foo_shu_yi@singapore2010.sg

Objectives of Asian Youth Games AYG 2009

source: ayg2009

The three primary objectives of Asian Youth Games (AYG) are:

To gather the youth from around the region in celebration of youth, sports and learning

To provide a platform for youth in Asia to engage in friendly competition and imbibe the Olympic sporting values of excellence, friendship and respect

To act as a forum for learning, cultural exchange and friendship amongst the youth

Other than sports competitions, the AYG will also incorporate educational and cultural programmes into its itinerary so as to create a holistic learning experience for all participants.

The focus is therefore on attaining a right mix between competitive sports and culture and education.

The AYG will follow International Federations' (IFs) guidelines unless otherwise stipulated in the games' rules and regulations.

Become A YOG Sports Presenter Like Mark Richmond

source: Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

Mark Richmond is now the Senior Head for Sports Presentation in Sports and Venue Division.

Here’s Mark to tell us how he became one of the most sought after sports presenters in Singapore.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

It all started when Mark was playing football.

“When I was playing soccer, I would say something like - And there goes Mark Richmond weaving his way through his defenders, and oh, he scores!” Then one day, Mark’s father, the one and only radio “Big Brother” Brian Richmond, asked Mark to have a go at sports commentary for television.

HIS FIRST SPORTS PRESENTATION

Mark arrived at the National Stadium in his school uniform and sat down while his father put on his headphones and said, “Go!”

Mark was jittery at his first attempt. “The only commentaries I ever did all consisted of the name ‘Mark Richmond’! There was no ‘Mark Richmond’ in the line-up!” said Mark. But things went on smoothly and it grew from that first experience. Mark started helping his father more often and he became very comfortable in front of a camera.

TRYING NOT TO BE LIKE HIS DAD

“My bosses had wanted me to change my name to ‘Marky Sparks’ to shake off my Dad’s shadow.“

But Mark refused to because he wanted to keep his father’s legacy. “I want people to remember how great my Dad was.”

Today, Mark is the one of the most sought-after presenters for major sporting events, especially since he has a wealth of experience, covering the Barcelona, Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympic Games and the SEA Games from 1993 to 2001.

THE CHALLENGE OF BEING A SPORTS PRESENTER

“It’s all very exciting, especially when you are going ‘live’ on-air in three seconds and you have no script in front of you,” said Mark. He sometimes just has to rely on his vast knowledge of sports. ”At one of the SEA Games, this guy came in with the line-up of starting swimmers after I was done commenting about the swimming event. I was like, I’m done! I based everything according to my experience with the previous SEA Games.”

TIPS FOR ASPIRING SPORTS PRESENTERS

“It’s a job that requires passion and a lot of homework. You must also be able to react on the spot. Most importantly, you must speak with confidence. If you don’t, your voice does not project well,” advised Mark.

WHY MARK JOINED SYOGOC

He sees it as a chance to share his experience and learn something new. He had initially hesitated to take up the job but his wife, Beatrice convinced him otherwise.

“She said that I’d be unhappy if someone else took the position because he might not have the same knowledge and passion I have for sports. That’s when I decided I’ll take up the job.”

You can be a Sports Presenter for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games too.

Overview - An Insight to Asian Youth Games (AYG) 2009

source: http://www.ayg2009.sg/

The concept and hosting of the first ever Asian Youth Games (AYG) in 2009 was first mooted in Singapore's candidature document for the inaugural 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG).

It was deemed as part of the YOG legacy and would also serve as an ideal test preparation for Asia's young athletes before the YOG in 2010.

The AYG will be a regional event open to all Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) members, with a projected 45 National Olympic Councils (NOCs) expected to send about 1,300 top juniors to compete in the 9 sports offered, namely Athletics, Aquatics (Swimming and Diving), 3-on-3 Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Bowling, Football, Sailing, Shooting, Table Tennis.

The OCA has given Singapore the nod to host the multi-sport event for athletes aged between 14 and 17, which will be an ideal avenue for participating NOCs to build good relations within the Asian family.

Singapore is proud to host the inaugural Asian Youth Games in 2009, which will be held from 29 June to 7 July, and warmly welcome all OCA member nations to participate in the event.

Read more about Asian Youth Games (AYG) 2009 at AYG2009.SG

FINA Swimming Gold Medal For Tao Li

Tao Li has won the Gold medal in the women's 100 metre butterfly event at the FINA Swimming World Cup 2008 on 11 November 2008 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Tao Li touched home first in a time of 56.87 seconds to beat Jeanette Ottesen into second place. The bronze medal went to Petra Granlund.

Tao Li is performing well with great results despite not training as much as before prior to her Olympic Games participation. This augurs well for her future.

Keep up the great results!

Tao Li Second in Moscow FINA Butterfly 100m Finals

Singapore's 18-year-old Tao Li came in second in the FINA Swimming World Cup on 8 November in Moscow.

She clocked a time of 58.5 second behind winner Mareike Guehrer of Germany.

Singapore Youth Olympic Games blogspot will continue to update you on the latest swimming World Cup results.

Jasmine Yeong-Nathan: AMF Bowling World Cup Champion

Singaporean Jasmine Yeong Nathan has created history to become the first Singaporean bowler to win the AMF Bowling World Cup.

Photograph of Jasmine Yeong-Nathan with her coach (photo courtesy of Singapore Bowling).

Jasmine Yeong Nathan's historical win was achieved at Hermosillo, Mexico on 15 November 2008 at the AMF Bowling World Cup finals.

The 20-year-old Jasmine Yeong Nathan defeated Ann-Maree Putney of Australia with scores of 263 to 222 in Game 1 and 298 to 215 in Game 2 at the AMF World Cup bowling finals.

Her score of 298, just 2 short of a perfect game in bowling, was the highest game recorded in a women's World Cup final.

Jasmine Yeong Nathan reached the play-offs for the finals after winning four out of eight matches with 9114 pinfalls during the AMF Bowling World Cup qualifying blocks from 9 November 2008 to 14 November 2008. This allowed her to go straight into the Bowling finals to meet her competitor for the AMF World Cup crown.

Well done, Jasmine Yeong Nathan! We are proud of you!

Asian Youth Games (AYG) Launch Ceremony In Singapore

A ceremony to launch the Asian Youth Games at Downtown East in Singapore was held on 14 November 2008.

An agreement was officially sealed in a launch ceremony between the Asian Youth Games (AYG) Singapore 2009 Steering Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia.

The Asian Youth Games (AYG) Singapore 2009 will be held in Singapore from June 29 to July 7 in 2009.

Downtown East will probably be the Games Village for athletes and officials.

The Asian Youth Games (AYG) Singapore 2009 will see an estimated 1000 athletes aged between 14 and 17 from 45 countries competing in more than 80 sporting events.

Nine sports are on the cards for the Asian Youth Games (AYG) Singapore 2009. They are: aquatics (diving and swimming), athletics, bowling, beach volleyball, 3-on-3 basketball, football, sailing, shooting and table tennis.

Besides sporting events, there will be cultural and educational visits in Singapore for these athletes and officials.

The Asian Youth Games (AYG) Singapore 2009 is jointly organised by Ministry of Education and the Singapore Sports Council.Mr Ng Ser Miang, IOC member for Singapore is the chairman of the Asian Youth Games (AYG) Singapore 2009 Steering Committee.

Preparing and organising the Asian Youth Games (AYG) Singapore 2009 will allow involved personnel to learn in preparation for the world's first ever Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore in 2010.

YOG Thematic Youth Festival

The Thematic Youth Festival brainstorming session is one of many activities that SYOGOC has conducted to get the views of youths, canvass for ideas from young Singaporeans and get them involved in Singapore 2010.

These activities include the Youth Creative Retreat in June 2008, a focus group discussion with young Singaporean athletes in August 2008 and the Nanyang Technical University School of Art, Design and Media brainstorming session on the opening ceremony in September 2008, amongst others.

With so many ways for you to be involved, what are you doing as part of Singapore 2010?

The quarterly Thematic Youth Festivals is a series of five celebrations on different Games-related themes.

Each festival will be three-month long, with an opening marquee event in town and other events around Singapore.

Each opening marquee event will be organized by students from the Nanyang Technological University, the National University of Singapore, the Singapore Institute of Management and the Singapore Management University.

The first festival starting in January 2009 will have “Sports” as the theme. It will also coincide with some tertiary institutions events, like the NTU Vertical Marathon in March 2009.

The Thematic Youth Festivals aim to give young people Singapore avenues to get involved and will have performances showcasing youth talents and display creative works from the young people.

source: Official Singapore Youth Olympic Games 2010 site (pdf file).

Sergey Bubka on 1st YOG Preparations: We Are Impressed

1st Summer Youth Olympic Games: Singapore 2010 on track

The Coordination Commission of the 1st Summer Youth Olympic Games concluded its first visit to the host city Singapore today.

Eight months after the host city announcement on 21 February 2008, the Singapore Organising Committee (SYOGOC) has already established all the foundations necessary to stage the Games in 2010.

“We are impressed with how the preparations have advanced. SYOGOC is very much on track”, said Sergey Bubka, Chairman of the Coordination Commission, at the end of the visit. “We can count on the full support of the whole of Government and all Singaporeans, as well as on a highly dynamic team committed to serving our vision for these Games”, concluded SYOGOC Chairman and IOC Executive Board member Ser Miang NG.

“Presentations were of a high standard and we can return home with the feeling that our partners in Singapore have well understood the mission entrusted to them, and that they can cope with the considerable time pressure. We just have to keep up the same pace and vigilance for the remaining 22 months until the opening of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games”, concluded Sergey Bubka.

...read more at official Singapore Youth Olympic games 2010 pdf document.

*Members of the Coordination Commission:
Sergey Bubka, IOC member and Chairman;
Nat Indrapana, IOC member;
Syed Shahid Ali, IOC member;
Raja Randhir Singh**, IOC member;
Frank Fredericks, IOC member and Chairman of the Athletes’ Commission;
Rania Elwani**, IOC member;
Guido de Bondt, NOC representative;
Andrew Ryan, IF representative; and
Gilbert Felli, Olympic Games Executive Director.

The Coordination Commission is the group of representatives from the IOC and the Olympic Movement who will be monitoring the Youth Olympic Games preparations and guiding the Singapore Organising Committee.

Third Asian Indoor Games (AIG) 2009 Hanoi

An estimated 5,000 athletes and trainers, and 800 referees, technical staff and sports officials from 45 countries and territories are expected at the Third Asian Indoor Games (AIG) 2009 event in November 2009, which features sports that have not yet made it into the world arena.

The 9-day long third Asian Indoor Games (AIG) 2009 in Hanoi will likely have 20 sports and 200 events, including petanque, shuttlecock, pencak silat and vovinam (Vietnamese martial art). Jujitsu and beltwrestling will be demonstration events.

Some of the third Asian Indoor Games (AIG) 2009 sports included: Aerobics, Billiards, Bowling, Chess, DanceSport, Dragon & Lion Dance, Electronic Sports (E-Sports), Extreme Sports (X-Sports), Futsal, Hoop Sepaktakraw, Indoor Athletics, Indoor Cycling, Indoor Hockey, Muay, Swimming.

Twelve Asian Indoor Games (AIG) sports events will be held in Ha Noi and six in Ho Chih Minh (HCM) City.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism last October announced the official logo, mascot and song for the third AIG.

The Third Asian Indoor Games (AIG) 2009 logo will be a torch created by colourful petals. The lotus, with the petals joined together like twisted hands, will symbolise solidarity, friendship and co-operation.

The Third Asian Indoor Games (AIG) 2009 anthem for the Games will be Thap Sang Ngon Duoc Vi Hoa Binh (Let’s Light A Torch of Peace), written by young composers Duc Tan and An Hieu. The mascot will be a Ho Village chicken, a rare distinctly Vietnamese breed of chicken that is believed to have the five qualities of a man of honour: literary knowledge, martial arts skills, physical strength, humanity and loyalty.

The Asian Indoor Games (AIG) 2009 is a multi-sport event held every two years. The games are regulated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The first games were held in 2005 in Bangkok, where Viet Nam finished in 21st place with one silver and one bronze medal.

Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Learning Centre


The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Learning Centre is now open from 4 November 2008. Located at 1 Kay Siang Road off Tanglin Road), this two-storey building houses a space for youth to discover and experience the spirit of olympism and trace Singapore's journey in hosting the first Youth Olympic Games (YOG).

YOG Learning Centre First Floor map:











YOG Learning Centre Second Floor map:











Opening hours of YOG Learning Centre:

Mondays to Fridays
2pm to 5pm
Closed on public Holidays
Free admission

YOG Learning Centre address:

1 Kay Siang Road Singapore

Speech By Mr Teo Chee Hean at YOG Learning Centre Opening Ceremony

Mr Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Defence and SNOC President gave a speech at the opening of the Youth Olympic Games Learning Centre on Thursday, 30 Ocotber 2008.

His speech is reproduced here as a service to readers as quoted from official Singapore Youth Olympic Games website. Full text of SYOG 2010 site is available here.

"I am happy to be here today to open the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Learning Centre. The YOG Learning Centre will reflect Singapore’s journey in hosting the inaugural YOG. It will also serve to interest and engage young people and members of public on Olympism, the Olympic Values as well as the sports played during the Summer Olympic Games.

2. The opening of the Learning Centre is a step forward in Singapore’s Olympic journey in the short space of two months after welcoming our medallists from the Beijing Olympic Games and the Beijing Paralympic Games. In fact, visitors to the Learning Centre can share the pride and glory of Singaporean Olympic medallists in their medal winning moments. Also on display will be medals of our first Olympic medallist Tan Howe Liang and our first Paralympic gold medallist Yip Pin Xiu. We are all proud of their performance and that of our Singapore athletes who strive to put
up their best showing in the international sporting scene. All these go to show that our dreams should not be bound by our small land size or population, and nothing is impossible if we have the aspiration and determination to fulfil our dreams.

3. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and I will remember with fond memories the historic moment on 21 February 2008 when International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge announced in Lausanne that Singapore had won the bid to host the first ever YOG in 2010. Many of us had our eyes glued to the live TV broadcast when the news was announced. The celebration at the Padang that ensued was another testament of the overwhelming support for Singapore’s bid.

4. We are privileged to win the honour of co-constructing the inaugural YOG with IOC. Come August 2010, Singapore will receive 3,500 young athletes and thousands of other visitors who will gather on our shores. To deliver a successful Games and a memorable experience for participants and all who are in Singapore during the Games, it will take the hard work of many people to make it happen.

5. I believe you are as excited as I am in the countdown to Singapore 2010. We are now 652 days away from the Games. Preparations for the Games are progressing well. SYOGOC has completed its foundation planning and has begun operational planning. In the face of the current global economic uncertainty, the work ahead will be more challenging as ideas and plans come to life. SYOGOC is mindful of the concerns and remains committed
to putting up an exciting and enriching programme for the inaugural YOG.

6. Singapore 2010 will provide the opportunity for young people from around the world to meet and build lasting friendships in a programme founded on the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect -values which are universal and timeless. Thousands of young people in Singapore will help to host the YOG. Hosting the YOG will therefore deliver a significant, lasting legacy for the athletes and for Singapore.

7. I am confident that together with the IOC, and with everyone’s support, we will be able to deliver a Games that will go down in history as the first YOG, and one that we can all be proud of. "

Swimming World Cup: Tao Li Wins Bronze Medal in 50m Butterfly

Tao Li won another medal in the FINA Swimming World Cup Women's 50 metre Butterfly event at the Singapore Sports School on 2 November 2008.

She came in third to win the bronze medal in Women's 50 metre Butterfly in a time of 25.93 seconds.

Earlier at the FINA Swimming World Cup, she won a gold medal in the Women's 100m Butterfly.

Well done. Keep up the great results!

Gold Medal To Tao Li in FINA Swimming World Cup Women's 100m Butterfly

Swimmer Tao Li from Singapore has won the Women's 100m Butterfly at the FINA Swimming World Cup held at the Singapore Sports School on 1 November 2008.

Tao Li clocked an impressive time of 56.85 sec to come in at first position, ahead of Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden and Mareike Guehrer of Australia.

Well done, Tao Li!