8th ASEAN Para Games 2015 Singapore Day 4 - Swimming

SG50 is indeed a significant year for Singapore, it has been an eventful year for us.

Back in June, Singapore hosted 28th SEA Games, 12-day fiesta involving 11 countries and 36 sports.

And now in December, Singapore hosted 8th ASEAN Para Games as a befitting finale of a major year for Singapore sports.

ASEAN Para Games is held after every Southeast Asian Games for ASEAN athletes with physical disabilities, with mobility disabilities, visual disabilities, intellectual disabilities, amputees, and those with spastic and cerebral palsy. The games are hosted by the same country in the same year where the SEA Games would take place. That explained why Singapore is the host again.

This is Singapore first time hosting ASEAN Para Games as well as my first time watching, be it live or telecast.

As part of SG50 celebration, all sports events are free admission to the public. Most of the competition venues are mainly held at the Singapore Sports Hub, I decided to make a trip down to support the athletes.

Swimming competition is one of the sports that I always wanted to watch live.

First time at OCBC Aquatic Centre.

December is the monsoon season, it's been raining frequently. But rain doesn't dampen our spirits from coming down to cheer for the athletes.

This year theme is "Celebrate the Extraordinary" which aims to promote friendship and solidarity amongst persons with disabilities in the ASEAN region through sport, rehabilitate and integrate persons with disabilities into mainstream society through sport.

With 3,000 seat world class facility, OCBC Aquatic Centre is the perfect location with 10 lane competition pool to host a variety of competitions.

A total of 10 countries are involved - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore.

Welcoming the athletes out.

They were starting the first event of the day - Men's 400M Freestyle - S6. 

The athletes were grouped according to their classes of physical impairment. S6 refers to amputations of both arms or moderate coordination problems on one side of their body.

400M would mean the athletes have to swim 8 lapses.

These athletes are seriously amazing. Despite their disabilities, they didn't let it hinder their dreams. Instead, they overcome disabilities and work towards their dreams. Their spirit and passion are what that impressed me and touched me the most. They deserved our utmost respect.

Nothing is impossible if you have the courage to chase your dream.

I stayed for Men's 400M Freestyle - S7 and S8 too.

S7 is class for athletes who are paralyzed or lost one arm and one leg on opposite sides, or double leg amputations Those who have full control over arms and trunk and some leg function can compete in this class.

S8 is class for athletes who lost either both hands or one arm, severe restrictions in the joints of the lower limbs.

There was awards ceremony too.

Congratulations to all the winners. To me, all athletes are winner in my heart, you guys have the strengths that I am lack in. You guys are seriously amazing. *Salute*

For Men's 400M Freestyle - S8:

1st: Thailand

2nd: Singapore

3rd: Vietnam

Went to take some light bites at Old Town White Coffee @ Kallang Wave Mall. We queued for about 15 minutes before getting a seat. It's only 3.30pm and the cafe was full house.

Since it was tea break time, I decided to order something that is not too heavy to ensure we have room for dinner.

I ordered OLDTOWN Ice Kacang with Gula Melaka. Sadly, the picture on menu has a drastic difference with the food served. It didn't have much toppings in it.

Garlic Butter Toast.

Fried Wanton.

This was the best among all that I ordered today. The wanton was very crispy and served piping hot.

That's all for sharing today. 

Good night.

28th SEA Games Singapore 2015 Day 2 - Table Tennis

28th SEA Games 2015 is finally here in Singapore!

Super excited about it because this is the first time I am watching SEA Games live.
The last time SEA Games was held in Singapore was way back in 1993, it has finally returned to Singapore again after a 22-year long hiatus. This is the fourth time Singapore is hosting the Southeast Asian Games.

SEA Games will be held in Singapore from June 5 to 16, a total of 36 sports and 402 events will feature in the 12-day fiesta.

Which sports are you heading down to give your root support?

I was at Singapore Sports Hub to check out the SEA Games carnival as well as to watch my first ever Table Tennis match. Thanks CL for the ticket.

Table Tennis take place from Jun 1 - Jun 8 with 67 Athletes involved.

Admission fee to watch this sport is $20.

Say hello to Nila, 28th SEA Games mascot.

The name "Nila" is inspired by Sang Nila Utama, the founder of Singapura. The red mane symbolises the burning Passion for sports and the heart-shaped face represents Friendship created through competition. 

I want a Nila plushie.

One of the carnival activities are UnionPay Hot Air Balloon.

Each hot air balloon ride can accommodate a maximum of 3 passengers and 1 pilot. Ticket is required.

So many sports that I want to watch!!!!!

Let's strive for gold, go Team Singapore.

A total of 11 countries are involved in SEA Games 2015. They are Singapore, Vietnam, Timor Leste, Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia, Cambodia and Brunei.

The Table Tennis match was held at Singapore Indoor Stadium. 

The once familiar concert venue has transformed into a competition venue.

The men's and women's team match took place concurrently in the Indoor Stadium. My eyes will be busy later catching the different match.

Today's match:

Men's team: Thailand vs Vietnam

Men's team: Indonesia vs Philippines

Women's team: Malaysia vs Thailand

Women's team: Singapore vs Vietnam

The Athletes from Thailand making their appearance

Followed by Vietnam.

Team Philippines and Team Indonesia.

Team Singapore.

The match for men's team group B match 6 kickstart: 

Indonesia vs Philippines. 

One minute break for both team.

Let's go, Singapore!

Let's go!

It was an eye-opener event for me, there was never a moment I felt bored. But just a pity that I didn't get to watch Feng Tianwei played live because Singapore won all the 3 games, so there was no need for her to play. Super excited, especially the match of Indonesia against Philippines, they liked to smack the ping pong high and it bounced higher than normal. Awesome match.

Not sure when the next SEA Games would come to Singapore, grab this opportunity to watch as many games as you can. It's a different experience watching it live compared to watching it from television or online.

For more information about the games, visit https://www.seagames2015.com/

Tiger Street Football 2014 Press Meet with Formal Portugal Players

Tiger Street Football is returning to Asia for the fourth edition. 

It is back with an innovative, world-first new format that has brought out the most creative, agile and instinctive style of play for street football across the region.

The tournament kicked off in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 9 August, followed by Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on 23 August, and finally the Grand Finals in Singapore on 6 September 2014 with the two time UEFA Champions League winner, Deco.

Let's find out more at the press meet with the official Tournament Ambassador, Deco, and some of Portugal’s most decorated players.

The event was held at Singapore Sports Hub.

This was my first time there.

Waiting for the players to arrive.

The press meet started off with an opening speech by Mr Rene de Monchy, Head of Marketing, Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore.

Rene shared with us that Tiger Street Football is a great platform for the brand to bring unique and enjoyable experiences to the fans. The highlights in undoubtedly the all-star exhibition match between the region’s best street footballers and five of Portugal’s finest players. To top that off, being able to give a lucky fan the once in a lifetime opportunity to play as the sixth man in Team Deco.

Guess who is sitting in front of me?

They are Nuno Gomes and Paulo Ferreira.

Meet Deco and his team.

Meet goalkeeper Vítor Baía (left) and midfielder Maniche (right). Both of them are Portuguese retired footballer.

Deco (midfielder).

Deco earned 75 caps with the Portuguese national team, being the winner of the UEFA Champions League with two clubs (FC Porto and Barcelona) and UEAFA Club Footballer of the Year in 2004. With these  achievement, Deco is widely considered as one of the best playmakers of his generation.

Deco is feeling excited to be able to join Tiger Beer in this celebration of Asian football and looking forward to the match.

Paulo Ferreira (defender).

He was known for his versatility to be able to play on both left and right side of defence.

Nuno Gomes (striker).

Nuno has shared with us about the happy feeling he got when he scored a goal.

The region’s best eight street football teams will battle for the ultimate prize of USD40,000.

The match ball has been reduced to size 4 for better bounce and control and provides players with the chance to really show off their street football skills.

credits to APB Singapore.

Deco showed us his powerful kick.

Witnessed the moment where the 5 players performed their powerful kick at the same time. The action was too fast to be capture.

This marked the end of the press meet.

For more information, please visit http://www.uncagefootball.com/