First SEA Games merchandise store launches

For the first time in 22 years, Singaporeans will get to experience the South-east Asia (SEA) Games on home ground in June next year.

And seven months before the actual event kicks off, local fans and foreign visitors can own a slice of the SEA Games with the launch of the first merchandise store - featuring over 100 items like pins, gel bracelets and polo tees - along Orchard Road, in front of Wisma Atria.

"We hope the store will help us communicate the message of celebrating the extraordinary," said Lim Teck Yin, chairman of the Singapore SEA Games Organising Committee.

A portion of the proceeds from the sales will go to non-profit organisations such as the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (Minds), the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped, the Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises, SportCares Foundation and the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

"Everyone has a role to play, to dream big and live extraordinary lives," said Lim.

"It's about understanding what the merchandise stands for. We did not want to create merchandise that was just nice to have and just a souvenir but if you believe in some of these causes, pick up something for Christmas."

The 28th edition of the SEA Games will be held here from June 5 to 16, and even as the clock ticks down, Lim said that more events - ticket launch, community engagement and school partnerships - will be organised and unveiled to generate buzz.

The Sport Singapore CEO gave the assurance that the National Stadium will be in top condition to host track events as well as the football semi-finals and final.

TRAIN

Lim also said that national athletes will get the opportunity to train at the National Stadium so that they can make home-ground advantage count.

He added: "We are going into detailed planning right now to make sure when the SEA Games comes around, the National Stadium will be in tip-top condition.

"We don't have the luxury of having two major stadiums so we will have to find the range of balance but for whatever events that we hold at the National Stadium, conditions will be right for the SEA Games. Anything we plan to hold there will be done in the best conditions.

"It will be a challenge (to accommodate all national athletes for training at the National Stadium). Of course, they will be keen to go there and train, and we have to facilitate that."

davidlee@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Nov 02, 2014.
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