PRESS RELEASE Ministry of Education

1 Jun 2011

Singapore hosts 3rd ASEAN Schools Games 2011

1. will host the 3rd ASEAN Schools Games (ASG) from 1 – 7 July 2011. The ASG aims to promote ASEAN solidarity through school sports, while providing opportunities for school athletes to benchmark their sporting talents in the ASEAN region. This is the first time that Singapore is hosting the ASEAN Schools Games.

2. Come July, over 1,100 student-athletes from 7 ASEAN nations (, , , , Singapore, and ) will compete in a total of 12 sports – , , , , Hockey, , , , Table , Tennis, Track and Field, and Waterpolo (Boys only). To participate, athletes must be below 18 years of age and be full-time students of schools or junior colleges in the participating ASEAN countries. (Refer to Annex A for information on the ASG and ASEAN Schools Sports Council).

3. The competitions will be held at 13 venues across the island. Student- athletes and officials will be housed at the Games Village in Nanyang Technological University. There will be over 200 student-athletes in the Singapore’s contingent for the 3rd ASG.

4. Student-athletes and officials will participate in a culture and education programme (CEP) during their stay in Singapore that promotes understanding and cross-cultural interaction. The CEP comprises a cultural festival during the opening of the Games Village on 30 Jun, evening cultural showcases during the Games and a learning journey. Through the ASG, our schools can also enhance their students’ knowledge of ASEAN and how sports has brought ASEAN nations together. Students can get involved as cultural performers or volunteers. They can also attend the sports competitions to show their support for the student- athletes and participate in sports outreach booths at some of the venues.

5. The logo for the 3rd ASEAN Schools Games comprises a torch with 10 tongues of flame, symbolising the 10 ASEAN member countries. The logo, in ASEAN colours of blue, red, white and yellow, is also reminiscent of a lion head, representing the host country of Singapore (Refer to Annex B for details on the 3rd ASG logo).

1 6. The ASG and Singapore Youth Festival 2011 will be opened on 1 July at a joint ceremony at The Max Pavilion, Singapore Expo.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

2 Annex A

About the ASEAN Schools Games

Every year, the ASG is organised under the auspices of the ASEAN Schools Sports Council (ASSC) with the aims of promoting ASEAN solidarity in youth through school sports, providing opportunities for school athletes to benchmark their sporting talents in the ASEAN region, and also for school athletes to interact and engage in cultural exchange within ASEAN. The Singapore Schools’ Sports Council (SSSC) is a member of the ASSC, together with other regional schools sports organisations.

The 1st ASEAN Schools Games was hosted by Thailand and held in July 2009 in Suphanburi. The 2nd ASEAN School Games were held in , Malaysia in 2010.

About the ASEAN Schools Sports Council

The ASEAN Schools Sports Council (ASSC) was formed in 1978 to coordinate and champion sporting programmes and activities in ASEAN countries. In 2008 the ASSC members agreed to adopt a multi-sport format similar to the Southeast (SEA Games) for its competitions, starting with the 1st ASEAN Schools Games in Thailand in 2009. Each ASSC member country takes turns to host the ASG annually. Singapore is scheduled to host the 3rd ASEAN Schools Games in 2011 after Malaysia.

3 Annex B

Logo of the 3rd ASEAN Schools Games Singapore 2011

1. The logo for the 3rd ASEAN Schools Games comprises a Torch with 10 tongues of flame, symbolising the 10 ASEAN member countries.

2. The colours of the logo – blue, red, white and yellow – represent the main colours of the flags of all the ASEAN member countries. Blue represents peace and stability. Red depicts courage and dynamism, white shows purity and yellow symbolises prosperity.

3. The silhouette of the torch and flames is reminiscent of the face and mane of a lion, representing the host country of Singapore.

4. A fluid swash of grey outlines the lion’s head and emphasises the dynamism of the Games.

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