Good sales for SEA Games tickets

Ticket sales for next month's SEA Games have been better than expected, with some popular events already sold out, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong revealed in Parliament yesterday.

All tickets for the opening ceremony and water polo finals have been taken up, and those for swimming events are going fast, he said in reply to a question from Ms Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon GRC) about the status of ticket sales.

Sales have been slower for some other events, partly because their fixtures have just been announced, Mr Wong said.

"But I would say that based on past experience, compared to other games and sporting events, the ticket sales so far have been... betterthan expected," he added.

He also encouraged Singaporeans to take the "once in a lifetime opportunity" to support local athletes on home ground.

"We will never have another SEA Games hosted in our Golden Jubilee year like this. So this is a historic opportunity and I would encourage all Singaporeans to come and support Team Singapore."

Supporters at the Sports Hub and Marina Bay can also look forward to carnivals and other fun events, Mr Wong said in response to a question by Mr David Ong (Jurong GRC) on activities held to complement the SEA Games.

There will also be various ways for people to catch the action even when an event is sold out, he added.

The events will be telecast live on television, so community screening sites can be set up.

Interested viewers can also watch events live on mobile platforms such as smartphones.

Mr Wong said that preparations for the SEA Games are "in full swing and progressing well", with Team Singapore fielding its largest contingent of 748 athletes.

osadaj@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on May 12, 2015.
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