The Big Read: As Team Singapore takes the field, a nation's pulse races

SINGAPORE — Even before the 28th South-east Asian (SEA) Games officially kicked off yesterday (June 5), Singaporeans had been arriving in droves at the OCBC Arena, the OCBC Aquatic Centre and Singapore Indoor Stadium to catch fencers, netballers, paddlers and synchronised swimmers from around the region in action.

And the S$1.3-billion Sports Hub — which has been gearing up for the big show over the past year — was not the only hive of activity over the past eight days: The SEA Games fever was also felt by residents at Bishan and Jalan Besar where stadiums played host to football fans of various nationalities who turned up in full force to cheer their national teams.

For many Singaporeans, this is their first brush with the SEA Games, which was last held in the Republic in 1993.

Bishan resident Kiranjit Kaur, 37, a senior executive assistant at a pharmaceutical company, said she might attend the Games in the coming days after seeing all the posters plastered around the neighhourhood. “Holding the Games here will bring it closer to the people,” she said.

Inside the stadiums, it was a cauldron of noise, even when the Singapore Lions were not in action.

On Tuesday, 2,000 Vietnamese football fans, mostly decked out in their national colours of red and yellow, packed the grandstand at Bishan Stadium during their country’s game against Malaysia.

Among them was Mr Dong Hanphong, a Vietnamese studying in Singapore, who was watching the Games for the first time. “This is a great opportunity as it only comes once in two years,” said the 25-year-old. “It’s nice to see all the Vietnamese fans dressed the same.”

Accountant Foo Chee Kim, 33, has attended both of Singapore’s matches so far - on Monday, when the Lions kicked off their campaign with a win against the Philippines, and on Thursday when Myanmar came out tops.

Speaking to TODAY as he made his way into the stadium on Thursday, Mr Foo said he was impressed by the atmosphere in the previous game. “The fans showed good spirit by singing the national anthem loudly,” he said. Football was among the four sports that kicked off their tournaments before the Games officially started. Table tennis, netball and synchronised swimming were the others.

The Republic has already stuck gold in table tennis and synchronised swimming. Ms Choo Ying Ci and Ms Eileen Koh, both 23, were among hundreds of Singaporeans who witnessed their sporting heroes and heroines achieve glory. They attended the men’s and women’s doubles finals on Tuesday. Singapore won the gold in both. “We were (unsure) whether or not to come, but we saw the team’s progress on television, and then we knew we had to make a trip down,” said Ms Koh. And it was not just the high profile sports that drew the crowds. Ms Lew Chee Ling, a housewife in her 40s, and her husband brought their three children to watch synchronised swimming, even though they had little knowledge of the sports. “It’s to introduce to the kids what SEA Games is about, and how certain sports are played,” she said.

As the start of the competitions coincided with the beginning of the school holidays, many parents were seen attending the games with their children in tow. But of course, there were the hardcore sports fans. Mr Roland Chen, who is in his 60s, is an ardent table tennis fan who has never missed attending or watching a match involving Singapore’s paddlers, even when he is out of the country. Having followed the fortunes of the team over the years, the managing director of a timber company said with a tinge of pride: “Now we are (of) world standard.”

On Tuesday, as the spectators lapped up the table tennis action from their seats in the Singapore Indoor Stadium, Mr Damon Goh, 25, and his colleagues from training and development company Positive Intentions kept up the crowd’s energy levels. “Let’s go Singapore, let’s go!” he bellowed. The spectators roared back with cheers and rapturous applause. “There is no conserving my voice,” said a breathless Mr Goh after the game. “We want to show Team Singapore that we will be there with them.” Behind the scenes, volunteers work tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of the events. One of them is 16-year-old Tanya Aw. Among other things, she scans tickets and ushers spectators. “I want to see how Singapore hosts an international event,” said the student.

Ms Lim Lea Cheen, 53, and her 84-year-old mother are also among the volunteers. The pair usually volunteer with a Buddhist organisation. Wanting to try something different, they chose the SEA Games after being impressed with the design of the new National Stadium, said Ms Lim. As the Games’ volunteers, they help to replenish drinks and snacks for other volunteers. “I’ve met a lot of nice people,” said Ms Lim, who works in an IT company. “Everybody is passionate about getting the job done.”

The action was not confined to the sporting arenas. Outside the National Stadium and near Kallang Wave Mall, children took part in games such as pool soccer and 300-degree table tennis which were set up as part of the SEA Games carnival. Others posed for photographs with Nila the lion, the official SEA Games mascot.

Driving instructor Rukayne Ramli, 32, drove from his home in Bukit Panjang to attend the carnival with his wife and two sons. “I’m just here to soak in the atmosphere,” he said. Mr Jonathan Lee, 49, who also brought his family to the event, said: “It’s a chance for my child to get outdoors and try out new activities,”

Foreign athletes and officials were given a VIP reception inside the shopping mall. “Welcome to Singapore!” cheerleaders and percussionists greeted, before leading them through the mall in a raucous procession.

Indonesian diving team member Andrian, 21, has enjoyed his Games experience so far. “I’ve made friends with Malaysian and Singaporean athletes, as I’m able to speak a little Mandarin and English. I’m looking forward to sightseeing at Marina Bay,” he said in Bahasa Indonesia.

Fierce competitors they might be when they step into the arena, but outside, anecdotes abound of friendship and goodwill among Singaporean and foreign athletes alike.

When distance runner Soh Rui Yong was about to get on the bus for training on Thursday, he noticed the Thai team lingering in the hotel carpark. To his surprise, they told him their bus failed to show up - for the second day in a row. “I told them to board the bus with us and they were happy to. Transport is always a little tricky in cities like ours, but the organisers are doing their best to make the whole experience good for everyone,” said Soh, 23.

Soh, who holds the 10,000m national record, added: “I met up with an Indonesian friend yesterday. I gave him a Singaporean jersey which he wore to training today, and he gave me an Indonesia jacket, which I’m wearing now.”

Overall, despite minor hiccups, the athletes gave a thumbs up on their experience so far. Discus thrower Landdis Su, 25, said: “Accommodation has been great, and service staff are polite and helpful.” It is a good experience so far as we bond with teammates we compete with on a regular basis. The Nanyang Technological University undergraduate added that he really appreciated the substantial “marketing and branding effort” for the Games.

Squash player Marcus Phua credited the volunteers for getting “everything very well-organised”. “They are trying to make this SEA Games fun and enjoyable for us and so far, they have been doing an excellent job,” the 27-year-old said.

With the support of the volunteers and the country cheering them on, the athletes said they want to bring sporting glory to the nation, as they prepare for the Games to begin in earnest. Judoka Soo Qin Qi, 27, said: “Although this is my debut, the support and encouragement I get from my teammates keeps me collected and focused. I am definitely looking forward to getting on the mats and giving it all I’ve got.”

Basketballer Leon Kwek, 18, added: “I don’t really know what I’m looking forward to most in my first SEA Games, but I’ll use my own capabilities to drive the team forward. I just want to do Singapore proud.”