Sports items to go into time capsule

Running shoes worn by national sprinter Shanti Pereira, who blazed to victory in the SEA Games 200m event, and Paralympian Jovin Tan's signature sunglasses are among 50 items that will be sealed in a time capsule this Youth Day.

The items symbolise Singapore's sporting aspirations and will be sealed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on July 26, when he officially opens the Singapore Sports Hub. They will be buried at the site later.

Mr Tan, 28, donated the pair of sunglasses he wore while preparing for the parasailing event at the 2012 London Paralympic Games.

"It symbolises a lot to me because despite all the challenges, (the team) still overcame them, one day at a time," he said.

The capsule will be unearthed in 2040, when Singapore turns 75.

This year's event is called Youth Celebrate! - part of a series of events to mark the Hub's first year. They are being organised by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.

Youth Celebrate! will showcase the talents of more than 4,100 students from primary, secondary and special education schools and tertiary institutions in a series of performances - including two Singapore record-breaking feats.

About 500 students will wear red and white floats to create the largest floating Singapore flag at the OCBC Aquatic Centre. The same group will then attempt to break the record for the most number of laps swum in an hour, which currently stands at 3,772 laps.

Meanwhile there will be a modified football match involving four goalposts and 61 players - comprising 50 students and 11 football veterans - on the pitch at the same time.

Goal for a Cause will see the likes of former national team goalkeeper Lionel Lewis and national striker Ho Kwang Hock join student footballers to raise funds for charity with every goal they score.

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said he hopes that participants will one day look back and think "that we were part of this and we were part of this history of the opening of the Sports Hub".

samboh@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on July 7, 2015.
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