Asian Youth Games ends amidst songs and dance
Thursday, July 30, 2009
It was a night to remember. With a scrumptious dinner, dazzling performances and engaging games, the 2009 Asian Youth Games (AYG) Closing Ceremony provided close to a thousand youth athletes and officials an opportunity to come together and revel in their achievements and the friendship fostered.
After nine days, nine sports and 455 medals later, the inaugural AYG in Singapore came to a successful end on 7 July. While some athletes have excelled and others have had disappointments, their biggest achievement lies in the way everyone had embraced the spirit of Olympism and displayed true sportsmanship throughout the period of the Games.
While the Closing Ceremony held at Swissötel marked the end of the first ever youth multi-sports event in Asia, for the young athletes, this is just the beginning of an exciting journey ahead in sports.
Here's a closer look at what went on during the Closing Ceremony.
The first AYG Closing Ceremony kicked off with a series of dance performances in the pre-dinner show. All the performances, including this hip hop dance by Juying Secondary School, were award-winning items in the 2009 Singapore Youth Festival Central Judging.
The Influenza A(H1N1) outbreak did not dampen the celebratory spirit nor hamper the success of the AYG. Precautionary and screening measures were carried out at all venues. At the AYG Closing Ceremony, athletes and guests had their temperature checked before entering the ballroom.
With a basket in hand, a ready smile and lively dance moves, students of Hillgrove Secondary School depicted the joy and merriment of maidens working in the fields in the performance titled ‘Sway of the Maidens’.
‘Dance to the rhythm’ is a Chinese folk dance performed by eighteen students from First Toa Payoh Secondary School. With each rhythmic of the drum, this dance rouses the spirits and showers blessings to everyone.
Juying Secondary School students put on a good show with their fanciful footwork and groovy moves. ‘A Day in Hip Hop School’ depicted the journey a child takes in developing his or her talent, mirroring the budding talents of the young athletes.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Home Affairs, and Mr Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and Ministry of Transport, were the Guests of Honour at the Closing Ceremony.
14-year-old Amni Musfirah from the School of the Arts mesmerised the crowd with her powerful vocals and her moving rendition of the ballad version of the AYG theme song ‘Asia's Youth, Our Future’.
With Asian influences on Western dance techniques, the dancers of the CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) Dance Ensemble made a strong impression with a solid display of extraordinary contemporary choreography.
The first AYG saw the participation of about 1,400 youth athletes from 43 National Olympic Councils (NOCs). At the Closing Ceremony, the NOC flags were marched out onto the stage once more in honour of the Games.
The AYG ‘Most Valuable Player’ awards were given to Singapore swimmer Quah Ting Wen and South Korean Chang Gyu Cheol for their outstanding achievement at the inaugural Games. They had each won four gold medals.
‘Tonight, we celebrate the end of a new beginning. We say farewell to AYG 2009 and welcome the start of a new sporting tradition for Asia, for the youth,’ said Mr Ng Ser Miang, chairman of the Singapore Asian Youth Games Steering Committee.
Mr Timothy Fok, Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), commended the people of Singapore for the job well done and thanked all for the generosity and warm hospitality shown at the AYG.
As the OCA flag was lowered, the first AYG in Singapore officially comes to an end. It has been a wonderful experience for all involved and the Singapore athletes have fared well, reaping nine gold, six silver and 15 bronze medals.
Mr Ng Ser Miang handed the OCA flag back to Mr Timothy Fok for the next AYG, thus signaling the closure of the inaugural AYG in Singapore. The youths of Asia will gather again in four years to celebrate the AYG.
Many youths enjoyed themselves making new friends with athletes from the various NOCs and the student volunteers, as well as learning about each other's unique cultures at the Culture and Education Booths in the AYG Village.
‘Say Cheese!’ Youth athletes were seen sharing hugs, exchanging handshakes and snapping photos with their newfound friends.
Interactive games during the dinner also got many athletes and guests on their feet and having a good laugh.
Athletes from Iraq sampled the flavours of Chinese cuisine at the dinner party. The Closing Ceremony was an intimate closed-door event, meant for the athletes to mingle and revel in the new friendships forged.
A few athletes even went on stage for an impromptu percussion performance. Never mind if they've had no training whatsoever. All you need is a few like-minded friends and a thirst for fun!
For the youths involved, the first AYG in Singapore was more than just about the adrenaline rush in the pursuit of victory. It was about being the best that they could be, showing respect for their peers and forging new friendship, all while having lots of fun!