Sembawang GRC creates biggest SG50 logo made of ping pong balls

SINGAPORE - Singapore's largest SG50 logo made of ping pong balls to promote a sporting and healthy lifestyle was recently launched by Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan and grassroots advisers from Sembawang GRC.

Moments after the launch on Jan 1, which was witnessed by more than 10,000 residents, Minister Khaw, who is also an MP for Sembawang GRC, received the certificate by Singapore's Book of Records for the nation's largest logo made of ping pong balls.

The structure is made of 7,744 ping pong balls consisting of 3,487 red balls and 4,257 white balls to form the SG50 logo.

With 88 by 88 balls per row, the structure symbolised the Chinese character "发" ("fa") for numeric 8 to wish Sembawang GRC residents a prosperous 2015 ahead. 7,744 symbolised "确确实 实" (que que shi shi) to mean that the record was transformed into reality.

The creative SG50 logo structure was a youth ground-up initiative led by Mr Pan Zhengxiang who is currently a Joint NTU-UBC (Lily) PhD scholar and Woodlands Galaxy CC Youth Club chairman.

Also known to his team as Jedi, Mr Pan led youths from different backgrounds and talent pool ranging from scholars, students, NSFs to young working adults.

When asked about the successful project achievement, Mr Pan shared: "As a Singaporean, I am grateful to the visionary leadership of our government for transforming Singapore. That is what inspires me to begin brainstorming ideas for SG50 celebration by 'bonding hearts' at community while 'breaking records' through a meaningful and memorable project.

"As to what record to break, my inspiration came in light of the SEA games 2015 where I hope to ignite a sporting spirit and ageless living amongst residents from all walks of life. Table tennis is one of the most sought-after highlights nationwide and thus I thought of making SG50 structure using ping pong balls."

Mr Pan added: "As a ground-up youth initiative, we wish to demonstrate the teamwork, vigour and dynamism of youth when it comes to making a difference and bringing youth closer together at the community.

"Our youth team is extremely grateful to Ms Ellen Lee Geck Hoon PBM, MP for Sembawang GRC (Woodlands) and also President of Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA), for her guidance, care and unwavering support towards youth in the record-setting project. By Youth, for Community - the SG50 logo structure was also not possible without the active participation by many Woodlands residents and grassroots leaders who stepped forward to make it happen."

President of Singapore Book of Records Mr Ong Eng Huat said: "We are proud that right from the first minute of 2015, the SG50 logo is launched using ping pong balls, which is symbolic of Singapore being there among the best in the world. We hope that helpers and participants will aspire to be the best in their chosen fields."

The launch was also graced by Grassroots Adviser Ms Ellen Lee Geck Hoon, PBM (MP for Sembawang GRC (Woodlands), Mr Hawazi Daipi (Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Manpower MP for Sembawang GRC (Marsiling)), Grassroots Adviser Mr Vikram Nair (MP for Sembawang GRC (Admiralty)), Grassroots Adviser Mr Ong Teng Koon (MP for Sembawang GRC (Woodgrove)), Mr Amrin Amin, Ms Cheng Li Hui and People's Association Group Director Mr Tan Kim Kee and Sembawang GRC CCC Chairmen such as Mr David Sim BBM (Chairman, Woodlands CCC).