PH opens Asean School Games bid

SINGAPORE - Over 1,650 student-athletes from all 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) membercountries took centerstage as the 9th Asean School Games opened Friday at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Department of Education (Deped) Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali, Philippine Sports Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey, Philippines Chef-De-Mission (CDM) Rizalito Jose Rosales, deputy CDM Cesar Abalon spearheaded the strong 223-member Philippine contingent as they marched their way into the stadium.

Roaring cheers from thousands of spectators welcomed all the participating delegations from the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei Darrussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and first-timer Myanmar. Tan Chen Kee, who is the Ministry of Education Divisional director, said the Asean School Games is an important sporting platform for student-athletes to come together and compete with the best from other regions.

“Through competing with the region’s best, I hope our student-athletes - like past athletes - will hone their sporting abilities and attain important values such as sportsmanship, resilience, and team work,” said Tan, who is also this year’s Asean School Games Organizing Committee chair.

“I am confident that our students will be good hosts as they forge deep and enduring friendships with their Asean friends,” she added.

Ng Chee Meng, who was the guest of honor for this year’s sporting spectacle, declared the 9th Asean School Games open.