The multi-sport event, which will see close to 2,300 athletes aged 18 and under compete, was launched by guest of honour Tan Chuan-Jin, President of the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and Minister for Social and Family Development.

The Opening Ceremony coincided with country's Olympic Day celebrations as members of the community and athletes converged at the Jurong East Sports Centre to enjoy sports and celebrate the legacy of the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games, held in Singapore in 2010. 

Ng Ser Miang, an International Olympic Committee member and chairman of Singapore Olympic Foundation (SOF), was also present to participate in the festivities along with Olympians Canagasabai Kunalan, Mark Chay and Lim Heem.

Retired sprinter Kunalan held the 100 metres national record time for 33 years after clocking 10.38sec at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, while swimmer Chay competed at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, and Lim Heem Wei became the first Singapore gymnast to compete at an Olympic Games when she represented her country at London 2012.

As part of the official launch, Tan and Ng joined young footballers from Sportif Youth, an organisation which helps at-risk youths through sports outreach efforts and initiatives, to score some goals.

"Hosting major Games like the Youth Olympic Games create lasting legacies for communities and also help seed sporting aspirations among young people," said Tan.

The SNOC chief is hopeful athletes will follow in the footsteps of Martina Veloso, silver medallist in the women’s 10m air pistol event at last year's Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, having acted as a Torchbearer in her homeland of Singapore in 2010.  

"Five years ago, Martina Veloso held the Youth Olympic Flame torch in her hand and watched in awe as the world’s best youth athletes competed at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games," added Tan.

"Last year at the Nanjing YOG, Martina’s dream came true when she won a silver medal in shooting.

"We hope more young people like Martina will continue to enjoy sports and fulfil their aspirations in sports."

Athletes will participate in nine sports across as many venues on the weekends commencing today and August 1.

The sports programme is made up of 3x3 basketball, badminton, football sevens, rugby sevens, sailing, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo and volleyball.

The SYOF aims to inspire more Singaporeans to take up sports and bring youth together to foster stronger friendship through sports.

It is organised by the SOF and was first held in 2011 to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the inaugural Summer YOG.



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