ASEAN Schools Games 2019: Unity, Spirit, and Respect
Published Date: 03 July 2019 12:00 AM
1. This year, 170 student-athletes from 51 Singapore schools will represent Singapore at the 11th ASEAN Schools Games (ASG) in Semarang, Indonesia, from 17 to 25 July. The Singapore Schools Sports Team (SSST) contingent will compete in eight sports – athletics, badminton, basketball, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball.
2. The theme for this year’s ASG is “Unity, Spirit, and Respect”. We hope our Singapore student-athletes and their ASEAN counterparts will form friendships through their shared passion for sports, and learn from one another through cultural exchanges.
3. Second Minister for Education, Ms Indranee Rajah, was the Guest-of-Honour at the ASG send-off ceremony held on 3 July. She said: “I know each and every one of our athletes will give their very best in the pursuit of excellence, persevere in the face of adversity, and stay driven by their passion for the sport. On the playing field, I hope our students continue to be advocates of sportsmanship and character as our past athletes have done at the Games.”
4. 68 officials, including MOE and school staff, will be accompanying the student-athletes to the ASG. Chef de Mission and Principal of Tanjong Katong Secondary School, Mrs Dolly Ong, will be leading the contingent. She will be assisted by Deputy Chef de Missions, Mr Shane Kwok, Principal of Tampines Secondary School and Mr Liu Earnler, Principal of Bowen Secondary School.
5. Mrs Ong said: “I am proud to see the hard work that our student-athletes have put in for the Games. In their pursuit of sporting excellence, I am confident our athletes will strengthen their character and bring home with them important values like teamwork and respect, as well as a broader rapport with our ASEAN neighbours.”
6. Over 1,000 student-athletes from 10 ASEAN nations will be participating in this year’s ASG. Organised by the ASEAN Schools Sports Council1, ASG aims to promote ASEAN solidarity among youth, while providing opportunities for student-athletes to benchmark and hone their sporting talents.
7. The student-athletes from the SSST contingent were selected based on their overall performance at the National School Games, and other local and regional sports competitions. Student-athletes must be 18 years old or younger on 1 January of the year of the Games, and be full-time students in their respective ASEAN countries.