SINGAPORE: Low Teo Ping has been appointed Chef de Mission for the Singapore delegation to the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou next year.

Mr Low is a vice-president of the Singapore National Olympic Council, as well as president of the Singapore Sailing Federation.

He was also the Chef de Mission of the Singapore contingent to the 24th Sea Games in Korat in 2007.

On Monday, the Singapore colours were presented to athletes competing in the 25th Southeast Asian Games, to be held in Vientiane, Laos, from December 9 to 18.

Singapore is fielding one of its smallest contingents in recent history for the biennial Games due to the exclusion of certain sports that Singapore has often done well in, such as sailing, bowling and gymnastics.

A total of 195 athletes and 99 officials will be involved in the Games.

Deputy Prime Minister and president of the Singapore Olympic Council Teo Chee Hean said the Singapore contingent is expected to do well.

"For the team as a whole, I think we have to be realistic in our targets because some of our key sports are not being contested there - sailing, bowling and so on," said Mr Teo. "But I think for the other sports, we expect that they will do well, especially our swimming team, table tennis, shooting."

- CNA/yb