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Minister insists H1N1 will not spoil AYG party

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Singapore's Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, brought the first leg of the Asian Youth Games Torch Relay to an end on Sunday afternoon -- and promised a safe and healthy environment in the shadow of the H1N1 virus.

"I am confident the Games will go on," Dr. Balakrishnan told the media after the torch relay ceremony.

"It will not be interrupted. We will not let H1N1 spoil our party."

Dr. Balakrishnan carried the flame, which had been lit earlier in the day at the Kallang Waterfront, into Raffles City Atrium. The flame was transferred to a safety lantern, ahead of the second leg of the torch relay on Monday, culminating at the Opening Ceremony at Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The government minister praised the organisers, SAYGOC, in the face of the unexpected threat posed by the H1N1 virus sweeping the globe.

"On the eve of the opening I am very confident and very happy with the work of the organising committee," he said.

"We are just about to open chapter one. The organising committee has been through a very tough time, quite apart from organising a multi-sports event like this in less than 12 months and on a very tight budget. Then H1N1 reared its head and added a whole new dimension of complexity to the operations."

Responding to the news that Malaysia would be sending a scaled-down team due to the threat of the virus, Dr. Balakrishnan said he respected all authorities and said different countries had different risk assessments and different strategies to respond to it.

"That is why we have been so careful to take every precaution possible and to make sure this is the safest and healthiest games possible.

"All the indications so far are that the people are coming and are happy and feel confident and safe. It is our responsibility to make sure that every child who is in our care will have a great time in Singapore, will make friends, will learn lessons and will have a safe time with us."

The first AYG will run from June 29 to July 7, with around 1,400 athletes aged from 14 to 17 competing for 90 gold medals in nine sports. - OCA News

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