2015 SEA Games to cost Singapore less than 2010 YOG

SINGAPORE — The 2015 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games will cost an estimated S$324.5 million, and will be the largest multi-sports event that Singapore has hosted to date.

Come June 5 to 16, Singapore will host more than 7,000 athletes and officials from 36 sports. This figure is less than the S$387 million spent on organising the inaugural Youth Olympic Games that Singapore hosted in 2010.

But Singapore SEA Games Organising Committee (SINGSOC) executive committee chairman Lim Teck Yin said that they are committed to stay within this figure.

“On our 50th jubilee, this will be a glorious opportunity for us to celebrate the extraordinary,” he said. “To date, we have secured total sponsorship worth over S$60 million.”

“It is our turn to host the SEA Games after 22 years and this will be a key milestone in Singapore’s 50th anniversary celebrations. SINGSOC will strive to deliver a Games that will bring people together in a fitting and memorable celebration.”

As part of SINGSOC’s plan to connect the Games with Singaporeans, there will be special events and fringe activities in the lead up to the opening ceremony at the National Stadium on June 5. These include a mass rally on March 7 at Orchard Road, where a SEA Games arch will be unveiled.

“We are at the right point to rally one Team Singapore. We have an opportunity to rally our people at a time when we are reminiscing about what brought us here,” said Lim.

“On our 50th jubilee, this will be a glorious opportunity for us to celebrate the extraordinary.”