The little red dot is poised to make the headlines yet again, this time for the much-hyped 1st Asian Youth Games (AYG) Singapore 2009!
Working hand in hand, the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) zealously put in the extra hours towards giving a spirited start to a new chapter in the sporting history for the youth of Asia.
And who can call it a celebration of youth, sports and learning without a sprightly lion as a mascot and a catchy pop tune as a theme song?
The Official Mascot of a young lion strikes three signature poses, which reflect the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.
The lucky pair chosen to sing the AYG theme song, ‘Asia’s Youth, Our Future’, is our country’s very own youth talents, Nathan Hartono and Selby Lian Kim. Both 18, the Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) classmates will be singing their hearts out at the Official Opening of the Games on 29 June 2009.
“It means a lot to me because Singapore is hosting the AYG for the very first time, bringing so many countries from all over Asia together...and to be an ambassador for Singapore, to be part of something of this significance, it is an honour,” said Nathan Hartono, who also performed at the Singapore National Day Parade 2008.
The catchy theme song is the brainchild of Mr Iskandar Ismail, who wrote the music, and lyricists Mr Hoo Cher Liek (MOE) and Mr Jose Raymond (SSC).
Mr Iskandar Ismail is an acclaimed composer best known for his works for the Singapore National Day Parades since 1988. He has also composed and arranged music for both local and international artistes such as Dick Lee, Andy Lau, Sandy Lam and Aaron Kwok.
When asked about writing the music for this event, Mr Iskandar Ismail said that he took a mere day to come up with the tune.He explains: “All the while I’ve been working with the youth of today, so I already had in mind the kind of music they listen to. It has to be a catchy pop tune that sticks.”
Like the Official Mascot of a young lion, the AYG theme song imbibes the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, and essentially highlights the importance of youths to the world.
When asked what message she hopes to convey to the youths competing in the AYG, the animated Lian Kim said: “I think the most important thing is that you feel a passion for what you do…because passion is really what drives you!”
Psst…while our young vocalists were busy recording the theme song, TPT Reporter secretly found out that they both had an exam the next morning! Now how’s that for passion?
Prior to that, on 19 March 2009, the Mascot and the theme song were unveiled by Guest-of-honour Mr Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports & Ministry of Transport. The event took place at Velocity to throngs of supporters.