Celebrating Sportsmanship at the Singapore 2010 Friendship Camp
Thursday, January 14, 2010
What happens when you bring together 400 young people from around the world together to commemorate the Olympic spirit? Well, you might see them cheering and rocking to infectious drumbeats, against a glorious backdrop of national flags fluttering against the wind above them.
This was the party that took place at the Singapore Sports School last year. From 8 to 12 December 2009, youth athletes from 130 National Olympic Committees from different countries gathered at the Singapore 2010 Friendship Camp, to celebrate the values of friendship and respect that mark the Olympic Games.
The actual Games are still months away, but the camp participants got a sneak preview of what they can expect from 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) through an exciting Culture and Education Programme. This included a taste of exotic delicacies from different countries. The Friendship Camp also celebrated the rich diversity of global cultures with a World Festival that fused East and West in an intriguing blend of sports and the performing arts.
Here are some of the activities that took place during the camp:
Not just a competitive display of sporting talent, the 2010 Youth Olympic Games will also be a chance for cultural exchange among youth athletes aged 15 to 17.
Youth athletes got to sample exotic cuisines at various cultural booths, which provided an idea of what the World Culture Village will be like. The latter will be set up at the Youth Olympic Village during the YOG.
To celebrate the sounds and heritage of Asian drum performances, there was a three-part percussion show that began in the Singapore Sports School's hall and culminated in a thrilling climax by the swimming pool.
Swimmers from the Speediswim Aquatic Sports Club delivered a beautiful synchronised swimming routine, with live accompaniment by a gamelan ensemble from the LASALLE College of the Arts. This performance was specially commissioned for the camp's World Festival.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Home Affairs, encouraged the camp participants to foster new friendship bonds across borders and share their experiences with athletes in their home countries.
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