Invited by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and Singapore authorities, a team of OCA experts is currently paying a visit to Singapore with the aim of sharing with the organizing committees of the 1st Asian Youth Games in 2009 and the 1st Youth Olympic Games in 2010 the experiences of Macao and Doha in organizing large-size multisport games.
The two-day visit was made also to learn the progress of preparations by the host city.
The visiting OCA experts include Manuel Silvério, Chairman of OCA Media Committee and President of the former Macau 2nd Asian Indoor Games Organizing Committee (MAIGOC); Abdulla Al Murra, member of OCA Coordination Committee and Director of Protocol and International Affairs of the former Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee (DAGOC); Isabel da Silva, member of OCA Women’s Committee and Director of International Affairs of MAIGOC; Soud Al Tamimi, member of OCA Media Committee and Manager of Media Services of DAGOC; as well as Cândida Ramos, Manager of Media Services and Television Broadcast of MAIGOC. In yesterday’s transfer of knowledge between OCA and Singapore, the OCA experts were active to share their knowledge with the organizers of the two youth games in terms of hospitality, protocol, games services, media service and television broadcast. Based on their experience, the experts not only provided technical advices to the Singapore successors, but also particularly reminded the organizing committee of the 1st Asian Youth Games of OCA’s rules and regulations in organizing competition.
Manuel Silvério said Singapore should not only organize the games according to OCA’s standard and requirements, but also start the preparation according to the actual situation of its own, and keep close contact with related government departments and NOC members. Abdulla Al Murra emphasized that the organizing committee should be very serious and careful to handle each item in protocol and hospitality services, as good services can make participants enjoy the games and leave good impression on the host city.
Other participants in the activity include Singapore Ministry of Education Director of Education Programmes Division Sum Chee Wah, Assistant Director Henry Tan, Singapore Sports Council Director NSA Management Mr Ng Eng Soon, Chief Sport Marketing Group Kelven Tan, and Chief Organisation Development Lynette Lim. The transfer of knowledge was followed by a site visit to some of the sports venues for the two games, including Yishun SAFRA (shooting), Singapore Sports School (swimming), Bishan Stadium (athletics), Toa Payoh Swimming Complex (diving) and Jalan Besar Stadium (football).
The 1st Asian Youth Games is scheduled to take place between 29 June and 7 July 2009, which is expected to attract 1,300 young athletes at the age between 14 and 17 to compete for the glory in swimming, diving, athletics, 3-on3 basketball, beach volleyball, bowling, sailing, shooting, table tennis and football.
(Source: AIPS)
