SINGAPORE — Security and the weather remain the biggest issues facing organisers of next month’s South-east Asian (SEA) Games, but final preparations for the biennial meet remain on track, said Singapore SEA Games Organising Committee (SINGSOC) chief of community and corporate outreach Toh Boon Yi.

More than 7,000 athletes and officials from 11 South-east Asian countries are set to be involved at the Games. So far, more than 70 per cent of tickets for the various events have been sold, while those for the opening ceremony have been sold out.

Toh stressed that unforseen security breaches and unpredictable weather conditions, such as the haze, could have a major impact on the running of the June 5 to 16 Games.

But he said: “We have worked out a set of contingency plans on how to deal with these issues if they crop up. On the security front, we’re working very closely with our partners like the police force, but these concerns are normal in all major events.” He was speaking at the Sports Hub Library yesterday, where 4,739 plush toys of Nila, the official SEA Games mascot, were showcased in what is a new Singapore record for The Largest Display of Handmade Plush Toys.

Designed and sewn by the public over the past six months as part of the Make-a-Nila programme, the toys will be presented to all medallists at the SEA Games. Those who made the toys may also get to personally present them.

May Schooling, mother of national swimmer and Asian Games champion Joseph, hopes to present at least one of the three she made to her son.

She said: “This whole idea is really novel and unique, and because (the toys are) made by the public, it should mean a lot more when the athletes get them.” NOAH TAN