PRESS RELEASE
28 January 2016
Embargoed till Thursday, 28 January, 5pm
National School Games (NSG) 2016
kicks-off at the Singapore Sports Hub
1.
784 student athletes played their first round National School Game (NSG) matches
at the Singapore Sports Hub at the NSG Opening Ceremony on 28 January 2016. This
marked the start of the annual inter-school games, where the Guest-of-Honour was Dr
Janil Puthucheary, Minister of State, Ministry of Education and Ministry of
Communications and Information.
2.
This year was the first time that five NSG competitions - Badminton, Basketball,
Netball, Table Tennis and Volleyball - were held simultaneously immediately after the
ceremonial launch. Student athletes from three other sports – Fencing, Gymnastics and
Taekwondo, also showcased their diverse skills and talent at the Opening Ceremony.
3.
The NSG, which runs from 6 January 2016 to 31 August 2016, is the largest and
most extensive annual youth sports event in Singapore. The number of students
participating in the games today has increased by nearly three-fold since its inception
30 years ago, from 20,000 student-athletes (4% of the student population) in 1986 to an
estimated 55,000 students (12% of the student population) across 29 sports this year.
4.
The annual NSG signifies the commitment by the Singapore Primary Schools
Sports Council (SPSSC) and the Singapore Schools Sports Council (SSSC) to provide
opportunities for students to participate in the inter-school competition undergirded by
the Council’s motto, ‘Character in Sporting Excellence’. This year, to acknowledge the
important role of spectators in the competitions, the Council also launched a Spectators’
Creed (see Annex A) focusing on values related to students being a ‘Respectful
Supporter’, ‘Caring Motivator’ and ‘Responsible Spectator’.
5.
Schools will conduct their own symbolic ceremony in February 2016 to provide
students with the opportunity to celebrate the opening of the NSG and allow them to
better appreciate the value of sports participation. Students will listen to the NSG
message from Dr Janil Puthucheary, Minister of State, Ministry of Education and
Minister of Communications and Information, and view excerpts of the Opening
Ceremony on the MOE YouTube channel.
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MINSTRY OF EDUCATION
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Sarina Chng
Officer, Media Relations Branch
Communications Division
Communications & Engagement Group
Ministry of Education
Tel: 6879 7605 (O) / 9837 0998 (HP)
Email: [email protected]
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ANNEX A
Spectators’ Creed
Be a Respectful Supporter• Applaud excellence and fair play.
• Appreciate the efforts of all athletes, teachers, coaches, officials
and organisers.
Be a Caring Motivator• Cheer to encourage and motivate.
• Care for athletes’ well-being.
Be a Responsible Spectator• Keep the venue safe and comfortable for all.
• Keep the venue clean.
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