World Cup and Youth Olympic Games

In my opinion, the biggest winner of World Cup 2010 is South Africa. I read about the pride of the people of South Africa in hosting the World Cup and the warm hospitality that they extend to their million of visitors.

I watched the opening ceremony over television and was amazed by the pride and joy of ordinary people, the speech given by Bishop Desmond Tutu and the respect given to the former President Nelson Mandela, popularly called Madiba (i.e. Grandfather). We may have read media reports about the high crime rate and lawlessness in that country, but the people were able to project a different image to the world during this historic event.

Singapore is now hosting the Youth Olympic Games. I am worried that, in spite of the the hundred of millions of dollars that are being spent on the games (which is three times over the original budget), there is so little excitement among the people of Singapore. There was even a media report that the ticket sales is poor, and that the schools have to be asked to buy the tickets.

I hope that our leaders and the organisers of the Youth Olymic Games realize that this is not just their show, and that it belongs to the people of Singapore. Time is running out. Let us use the remaining time to engage the people.

Tan Kin Lian