Speech by Mr Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Ministry of Transport, at the event to mark the relocation of the Singapore 2010 Countdown Clock

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good afternoon

It is my pleasure to be here today to celebrate the relocation of the first Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games (Singapore 2010) Countdown Clock from the City Hall to One Fullerton.

Eight months ago, we unveiled the Countdown Clock at the City Hall during the One-Year Countdown celebrations. City Hall was selected as the first location for the Countdown Clock, as that was where Singapore had gathered to await the announcement of the city that would host the first-ever YOG, and the nation celebrated together the win.

Why move to Fullerton, you may ask. The Marina Bay will feature prominently during Singapore 2010 with a number of activities happening, making it the heart of the Games. On 14 August 2010, the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony will take place at The Float@Marina Bay. Spectators and viewers from all over the world will be entertained by the show against the beautiful new city skyline.

Journalists and broadcasters of the YOG will be reporting out of the Main Media Centre located at the Marina Bay Sands exhibition and convention centre. The International Convention Centre will play host to six YOG sport competition namely Boxing, Fencing, Handball, Judo, Taekwondo and Wrestling. Rowing and Canoe-Kayak will be competed at the Marina Reservior. Cycling will start and end at The Float@Marina Bay featuring a scenic route that takes in Singapore's iconic landmarks.

I have also shared earlier this year on the creation of the Youth Olympic Park within Marina Bay. This will be a legacy from the Games for Singaporeans and visitors to enjoy. More details will be announced soon.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Fullerton Heritage which has graciously offered to host the Countdown Clock at this prominent location. With long queues forming right where we are standing on most weekends with people trying to enter Butter Factory, having the Singapore 2010 YOG Countdown Clock here will now, more than ever, be able to attract the attention of the youths.

With four months to go, preparations for the YOG are in the final stages. Most of the venues upgrading are completed and ready for us to bump-in. We have conducted Friendship Games - a series of validation exercises in January. The second Friendship Games will take place in May and June. I am happy to share that with the $6.2m funding from the Singapore Youth Sports Development Committee launched earlier this year, our YOG athletes and coaches have made significant progress in our preparations for the YOG.

But the YOG is not just about the athletes and the venues. Every Singaporean can be a part of this historic event. Just like how the Community Development Councils have installed a 2-metre tall Countdown Clock of the same design in each of the five constituencies for its residents. You can also be a spectator and purchase tickets that have started sales in March, and support Team Singapore. Naturally I encourage you to do all of the above.

We will also be rolling out events and activities to further excite and engage Singaporeans. Come next month, we will be celebrating 99 days to the Games at the new *scape building. Shortly after this, McCann will be showing the Singapore 2010 marketing campaign and share on the creative concept behind it. Through these and more upcoming programmes, I hope every Singaporean can be excited and get ready to host the first Youth Olympic Games.

Thank you.