S’pore announces bid to host SEA Games 2015

Singapore will be making a bid to host the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2015, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean on Tuesday.

In his speech at a flag presentation ceremony for the athletes heading to Indonesia for the SEA Games and the Para Games at *SCAPE, the minister announced that the government has thrown its weight behind the Singapore National Olympic Council’s (SNOC) bid and will submit it when the SEA Games Federation next convenes in Indonesia’s capital.

[Slideshow: Team Singapore's Flag Presentation Ceremony]

“We hope that when the SNOC makes our submission to the SEA Games Federation at its upcoming meeting in Jakarta, the Federation will agree to Singapore hosting the SEA Games in four years’ time,” said Teo.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Chan Chun Sing explained that a combination of factors such as the upcoming sports hub, which is slated to be ready by 2014, as well as Singapore’s organisational capabilities, gives him confidence that our country has a good bid.

Noting that the last time Singapore hosted the SEA Games was in 1993, its third time in two decades (with its earlier occasions being 1973 and 1983), Chan said, “By 2015, it will have been almost 22 years since we last hosted the SEA Games, so we hope that we will be given the opportunity to play our part for the region as well.”

“I think people know the organisational capabilities of Singapore and I hope that the SEA Games Federation will give us this chance to prove ourselves once again,” he added.

Chan also said that obtaining the Federation’s approval to host the Games is but the first step, with “a lot of hard work ahead” to iron out details such as the number of sports to be hosted and the number of events that will be held under each sport, as well as timing, given that 2015 will be Singapore’s 50th anniversary of its independence, he noted.

“There are many factors that we have consider before we can narrow down the numbers,” said Chan, when asked about the budget for the bid, “but of course… we will want to make sure that we get the greatest bang for our buck, and that we’ll be keeping a very close watch on our cost line… to have a good experience, most importantly, for all Singaporeans.”

Apart from highlighting the positive spillover effects that accompany Singapore hosting the 2015 Games, which include the opportunity for local athletes to shine on home ground and more business for local companies, Chan said that the opportunity to host the Games will be able to bring Singaporeans together.

“In fact, I think part of the plan is not just to build up the facilities, not just to build up the teams, but also to get the whole of Singapore together, as an opportunity or all Singaporeans to come together to support the Games; to play an active part in the Games, because the Games, when and if it comes to Singapore, belongs to each and every Singaporean,” he said.

Ministers Teo and Chan share well-wishes with Team Singapore athletes

At the flag presentation ceremony on Tuesday, the two ministers wrote messages to the Indonesia-bound athletes for both Games.

Wrote DPM Teo, “Take my best wishes to the Games! Not just for self, but for our country, Singapore!”, while MG Chan wrote “Take my best wishes (and) sportsmanship to the Games! To win a medal is great, to win some friends is greater, to win the respect of all is greatest. May Team Singapore wins (sic) big.”

They also presented the Singapore flags to team flag bearers James Wong for the SEA Games contingent, and Muhammad Firdaus Nordin, representing the Para Games athletes.

Wong, 42, will be making his 12th trip — which he says will be his last — to the SEA Games, and this will be his second time as flag bearer. Speaking of his selection to the role, he said, “It’s an honour, as it isn’t something that you would get to do everyday… (and at the same time) it’s an added responsibility but I’m okay with it, because I feel that without pressure I will not be able to bring myself to another level to perform.”