Singapore discussing with US to send best athletes for 2010 YOG
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 27 October 2009 1744 hrs

	Photos  of

SINGAPORE: Singapore is still discussing with the United States on sending their best athletes for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in the Republic.

Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan said on Tuesday some 200 national Olympic committees worldwide have been invited and he has not heard of anyone declining the invitation.

Meanwhile, six sporting events for the Youth Olympic Games will be played out right in the heart of the city at the Suntec Convention Centre.

Suntec became the 20th sponsor on Tuesday, throwing its weight behind Singapore's hosting of the Games next year. Boxing, Fencing, Handball, Judo, Taekwondo and Wrestling will be staged at the convention centre.

Furthermore, the Culture and Education Programme like the Arts & Culture and Discovery Activity - which will include an Olympic Gallery and interactive exhibits on healthy living - will also be held at Suntec.

Dr Balakrishnan said: "It is part of our overall plan to bring the Youth Olympics into the heart of our neighbourhood and our city, and literally make sports available at your doorstop. These types of partnerships add to the branding value of the proposition that the Youth Olympics provides for all our companies."

"With Suntec Singapore's expertise in holding many iconic events, from high-level government meetings to business conferences, we are confident that Singapore will be able to deliver a memorable Games and reinforce it as a choice location for hosting international multi-sporting events," said Goh Kee Nguan, chief executive officer of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee.


- CNA/so