INTO THE DEEP END

By Jerome Seow

Picture by John Heng in Vientiane

Edited by Joshua Tan

Familiar cheers (like "Go, Singapore Go!”) can be heard at the various venues here in Vientiane, with Team Singapore supporters clapping, screaming and shouting as our SEA Games athletes vie for honours.

Young Team Singapore Ambassadors

For example, at the National University Convention Hall a few days earlier, 50 Young Team Singapore Ambassadors (YTSA) and contest winners were on hand to cheer for our Table Tennis men’s and women’s teams who went on to clinch gold medals. They were also present at the National Sports Complex Main Stadium to support our footballers. The Young Lions toughed it out, earning a goalless draw with Laos to progress to the semi-finals.

Great Experience

For the supporters, the whole experience has been great. YTSA Chew Wen Xiang, 16, said, “The culture here is different, the place is different. So we learn a lot, including a bit of the history of Laos which is really interesting.” Neu Wee Teck, a volunteer teacher here who shared his knowledge of Laotian history with the students, said, “This is an excellent learning opportunity for the kids. They learn better when they are brought out of their comfort zones and into a new place.” This sounds a bit like what is happening to another group of youth; the young Team Singapore athletes like swimmer Samantha Yeo and paddler Pang Xue Jie who are experiencing what it means to be thrown into the deep end at the SEA Games competition here.