) or https:// as an added precaution.Director General of Education Ms Liew Wei Li
NSG organising committee
Partners
Colleagues, Principals, Teachers and Coaches
Parents
Boys and Girls
1. Good afternoon.
2. I am very delighted to welcome you to the 2026 National School Games (NSG) Opening Ceremony. Today marks the start of the sports season for our student-athletes across the primary to pre-university levels.
3. This year, I am told that a record number of around 69,000 student-athletes from more than 300 schools will compete in 29 different sports from the month of January to September.
Spirit of the Games
4. Through this exciting and intense competition season, I am sure all of you will put in your best after months of training, and will show determination and grit. I am sure you will also have opportunities to learn life lessons both big and small.
5. Sports has the wonderful ability to inspire all of us to go beyond our imagined limits, to build our character through experiences that we will remember and these lessons can be applied to our lives. As student-athletes, you learn to be disciplined. You learn to pick yourself after failure and disappointment, and learn to develop resilience. You will also learn about sportsmanship: to win with humility and to lose graciously.
6. This is the true value of the National School Games. It is not just about the victories you strive for, but the values you develop and friends you make along the way.
Sportsmanship Among Students
7. Indeed, each year, we are proud to see our student-athletes demonstrate character during the games. Let me share a few stories from last year.
8. At the Junior Division Tennis competition, a rainy morning meant a delay in the start of the competition. Participants and their supporters had to wait to see if the matches would proceed. But our students from CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh) took it upon themselves to help the organising committee dry the courts to facilitate the start of the morning matches for everyone.
9. They were soon joined by their peers from St. Margaret's Primary School. Parents also stepped forward to help the organisers. Despite the delay, our students' positivity lifted the spirits of all present.
10. Another story is of Roirdon Tan, vice-captain of Jurong West Secondary School's basketball team, who noticed a disheartened opponent still seated on the court after the match. Rather than joining his teammates in celebration, Roirdon went over to console and encourage the player and help him to his feet. This spontaneous act of compassion and sportsmanship after the competition has ended, illustrates the values we aim to nurture through school sports.
11. Roirdon's discipline, leadership, and sportsmanship inspired his peers to pursue both competitive excellence and sporting grace. His actions demonstrate that sport's greatest victories are measured not by scores, but by the character shown in both triumph and adversity.
12. Another example was the Junior Division Rugby Boys Tier 2 competition last season, where many young Ruggers, remained behind to watch their opponents play, to learn from and cheer for them, even though they themselves faced disappointment after their own losses. During the prize presentation ceremony, I am told that the teams cheered loudly for one another and celebrated each other's achievements and collective journey.
13. This is what the National School Games is about – learning and growing together in your sport, and having fun while you're at it, while demonstrating character and values!
14. These student-athletes show us that sports is not merely about individual achievement but about rising together and playing the sportsman's game. Well done to all players and athletes!
Role-Modelling for Our Youths
15. While we celebrate our student-athletes' growth and achievements, we must also show appreciation to the people who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes and modelled the values that inspire our student-athletes to strive for excellence and show sportsmanship.
16. Our teachers and coaches' guidance shapes more than just skills. They help mould character and inculcate a growth mindset that will set our students up to overcome adversity and challenges throughout life. Ms Denise Yap, a Badminton teacher-coach from Xingnan Primary School and the oath taker representing all our teacher-coaches today, is driven by the belief that every child can excel when given the right support and environment.
17. Her coaching philosophy focuses on growth rather than match outcomes. Even if her students lose, she hopes that they can walk away with the courage to keep trying and growing.
18. The second group we honour today are our parents who build this nurturing spirit of healthy competition and support. Mr Heng Phok Jui, whose children are in the Maris Stella High School (Primary) Softball team, finds joy in supporting his boys and their teammates. He cherishes the opportunity to give high-fives, cheer freely, and share laughter with fellow parents who create a wonderfully supportive atmosphere at the games.
19. The third group will be our NSG officials who carry the responsibility of maintaining the competitions' integrity through sound and impartial judgment. Mr Lee Kam Hoong, Chief Umpire at the Tennis NSG competition and the oath-taker today representing NSG Officials, shows how being an umpire means not only making tough calls, but also educating our student-athletes to grow for the better. He guides our student-athletes to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the sport – including respecting fair decisions when the calls don't go their way.
20. A big thank you to all the people who work tirelessly to make NSG possible and meaningful: from our officials who uphold the NSG's integrity, to our teachers, coaches, and parents who support and cheer for every participant regardless of their team. Together, you help our student-athletes to grow and thrive even when they face setbacks.
Conclusion
21. In closing, I wish all our student-athletes an exciting and meaningful NSG season ahead.
22. Let the games begin!