Wednesday, January 6, 2010

16th December, 2009

It was a busy day for the YTSA as we prepared for not one; not two…but three welcome-back sessions for Team Singapore athletes! We started off the event at Terminal 2; a sea of orange ready to welcome back our TS Karate team from the SEA games in Vientiane, Laos. The atmosphere was flooded with our enthusiasm as we waited for the athletes to check out.



Upon stepping out of the arrival doors, the karate team was greeted by the ‘we are proud of you’ cheer, followed by shouts of ‘g-oo-d, j-o-b; good job!’ as the officials presented them with jasmine garlands in a warm gesture of welcome. The team posed proudly with their medals in a testament that Small is Powerful!



After a short break, our YTSA were raring to welcome back our 2nd batch of Table Tennis athletes. Red clappers in hand, the ICs warmed up the group with more cheers while the athletes checked out. As the red jackets came into view, the arrival hall echoed with the vibrant screams of the motivators; providing a pleasant surprise for the players as they entered.



World Famous Team Singapore Table Tennis
Table Tennis’ Feng Tian Wei was among the Team Singapore athletes returning, having brought Singapore much glory with her 2 gold medals in the SEA games. After the customary team photos, many rushed to have pictures taken with their favorite players, all of whom were more than happy to accept.



YTSA Michelle Lim
Bukit Panjang Govt. High

Monday, January 4, 2010

On 19th December, the public was present at Changi Airport Terminal 2 to welcome back Team Singapore after the SEA Games in Laos. So were we, the YTSAs. Sporting our orange polo tee-shirts, we waited patiently for the Team to arrive back in sunny Singapore. While we were waiting, we were briefed on what to expect when the athletes arrive. The crowd slowly became bigger.



The athletes finally appeared and waited for their luggage while YTSAs did a final practice and had a final briefing.



The athletes finally claimed their luggages and we stood at attention, ready to give them a resounding welcome back. The athletes came out. And the cheers and shouts they received were overwhelming. Everyone was practically shouting their hearts out. The team walked towards us, smiling and were ushered into a group by the Guest-of- Honour - Singapore Sports Council Chairman Mr Alex Chan who gave his speech, congratulating the athletes from the Silat, Badminton, Cuesports and Petanque.

After the speech, the athletes prepared themselves for a photo-taking session where everyone with cameras started snapping pictures of the team.



YTSA Lim Rui How John
Christ Church Secondary School

We arrive at Terminal 1...which happens to be VERY crowded resulting in us having to switch to another area to welcome the athletes back. We stationed ourselves at the gate which the team will exit from. While we were waiting, we spotted a group of fans who have come to welcome back the team with their cheers and banners. Together, the 2 groups - YTSAs and the fans, started cheering before we even see the athletes.



The athletes finally arrived and we did what we were there for: to welcome them back and to congratulate them for working so hard to make Singapore proud!



The rest of the team appeared and the cheering continues with hand-shaking, hugging and of course, photo-taking. When the athletes were all present, they had their photos taken as a team before the crowd joined in.







YTSA Lim Rui How John
Christ Church Secondary School