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 Singapore hosted the first Asian Youth Games (AYG) from June 29 to July 7.
The AYG was first mooted as part of Singapore’s bid for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2007.
On 3 April 2008, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) gave its approval and awarded the hosting of the first Asian Youth Games to Singapore.
More than 1,100 young athletes, aged between 14 and 17, competed in nine sports – Athletics, Football, Sailing, Bowling, Beach Volleyball, Aquatics (Swimming and Diving), Table Tennis, FIBA 33 (Basketball) and Shooting. The athletes competed for over 400 medals at 10 venues.
THE VENUES ARE:
| Athletics |
Football |
Sailing |
| Bishan Stadium |
Jalan Besar Stadium |
National Sailing Centre |
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| Bowling |
Beach Volleyball |
Swimming |
| Orchid Country Club |
Sentosa, Siloso Beach |
Singapore Sports School |
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| Diving |
Table Tennis |
FIBA 33 - Basketball |
| Toa Payoh Swimming Complex |
Toa Payoh Sports Hall |
Anglican High School |
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The Asian Youth Games serves as an ideal test preparation for Singapore and Asia’s young athletes before the Youth Olympic Games in 2010.
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Singapore last hosted a multi-sport event - the Southeast Asia (SEA) Games – in 1993.
The official slogan for the AYG is – 'Asia’s Youth, Our Future'.
The official logo for the Games is a star symbol. The visual closeness of two stars merging into one reflects the strong ties that have bonded over the years amongst the Asian countries for this international sporting event.
The name of the official mascot for AYG was officially announced on 15 April 2009. FRASIA means Friends of Asia. It was chosen after members of the public were invited to participate in a 'Name the AYG Mascot' contest from 19 to 27 March 2009.
A torch relay around the island was also held. The 1st Asian Youth Games Singapore 2009 Torch Relay involves more than 180 torch-bearers and over 70,000 participants.
Centred on the theme of ‘Igniting Sporting Passion in Asia's Youth’, the Torch Relay event was held over two days, promoting the three Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect.
According to Mr Ng Ser Miang, Chairman of Steering Committee, Singapore Asian Youth Games Organising Committee (SAYGOC), the Torch Relay event is expected to be a monumental occasion - a symbolic act in the sporting world and a way of rallying the people together.
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