AYG - A Big Thank You to all Volunteers!

On the very last day that these Special Squad members performed their Village duties, I thanked each one of them personally and presented them with AYG souvenirs. This group of student volunteers and the teachers who served till the final day July 8 were the only ones I managed to give the souvenirs to.

Many of the other students and teachers from various schools had served in the earlier period starting from June 18.

I did not forget them. No matter how long it took, I spent the whole of last week visiting those who had served and presenting them with the souvenirs. Many of my volunteers were truly surprised and touched that I bothered to drive all the way to their school to deliver them.

And some have suggested that we should have a get-together again...one day.

See what I meant?

At the Training session for all Village Volunteers on June 8 at Swissotel, I ended my training presentation with a particularly interesting and poignant slide.

I mentioned that "once the AYG is over we will not remember it for the hardwork we all put in but for the friendships made among fellow volunteers and wishing that somehow this nice feeling can continue and not go away."
How true!

AYG - A Birthday Celebration and a new Ukulele fan!

One day, I received an SMS from one of the student volunteers asking for permission to skip her Sunday duty at the Games Village. Yes...we all worked through all the Saturdays and Sundays from as early as 6.30 am to 10 pm plus.

I then asked her for the reasons. She related that she would like to celebrate her birthday on that day.

When I met her the very next day on her shift duty I suggested that she could, if she wanted to, celebrate the occasion right there at the Intro Bar and we would all rejoice with her.

That was what actually happened as this photo showed. Happy Birthday!

Here is the latest fan club member of Unk Dicko's ukulele group. Lydia, who is a teacher volunteer from Christchurch Secondary was able to observe my ukulele playing very closely...not just the fingering of chords but strumming patterns and styles.

I encouraged her to give it a try and she somehow displayed quite a natural gift for the ukulele. Hope she can really pick it up from here.

Unk Dicko entertains at Intro Bar, Swissotel..AYG.

The volunteers on duty at the IntroBar venue of the Athletes' Lounge were treated to a special Ukulele Performance on 2 days of the last week of the AYG. Being so busy with AYG Village work, I simply had no time to devote to my Ukulele practice and working out the music and song arrangements for my next public performance.

That afternoon, when the changeover shift had been completed, those on the earlier shift were able to relax and unwind from their duties. I treated all of them to their 1st Ukulele session seen close up.

This group of students from Serangoon Sec were really able to not only enjoy the music I provided but joined in the with clapping and singing as well.

After a while, I paused and asked some of them to give the ukulele a try.

Teaching them a few of the basic chords...they began to strum. Not bad at all..I would add.

As soon as I played some keroncong style music, I could see even the athletes attention were attracted.
One particular song was requested again and again.

They told me they love its catchy beat. What was that song?

Leron Leron Sinta [ Philippines ].

AYG - The Athletes' Lounge, Part 2

Photo:
An athlete in the background having a go at Tennis on the Wii set. I was rather surprised they played the game sitting down. No wonder they often missed the shots !



Photo:
A special AYG Mixed soccer competition in progress. Can't remember which side won. Makes no difference as it was Sg/ Uzbekistan versus Uzbekistan/Sg. But there was much fun and laughter especially when own goals were scored!




Photo:
This was from the Straits Times edition of Wednesday July 8. The press came a-visiting and captured the action in the Games Room. Some members of the Korean team were playing Table soccer. Teacher volunteer Lee KC is on the left.

AYG - The Athletes' Lounge

The AYG kicked off with the arrival of teams for the Preliminary Soccer Competition starting from June 18. That was also the same day I awoke at 5 am to catch the early MRT train to Dhoby Ghaut, then changed to the N-S line to City Hall station. I met my Village volunteers at the Foyer outside the Operations Room at 6.30 am. After my briefing and attendance taking, I led them to the Intro Bar where meals were served for the workforce and volunteers.
Some days later, the Intro Bar was converted to an Internet Games Room for the athletes and was renamed "the Athletes' Lounge". It was opened from 8am to 10 pm daily and I assigned some of my Special Squad members to man it throughout.
There were 7 notebooks with free internet access, 2 TV sets showing all the "Live AYG" action, 2 X-box sets, 2 Wii sets and 2 table soccer sets.


At all hours of the day, the athletes and officials would stream in to have some fun and just simply unwind.
Most of my volunteers had no experience with Wii games and I conducted a brief hands -on session for them. Those who were fortunate to have seen me in action were mighty impressed.
I can still remember one FA chief who was present with her set of helpers and was watching my demo saying......." My Goodness! Look, he has not missed a single shot !"
I told them I have a Wii set at home.


On the very last day of the Games Room operation, these 2 Uzbeskistan athletes wanted to have a game of table soccer with us...as a parting gesture. I obliged them with my key right hand man Ho CH joining in too.
The Games Room was a very popular place for the athletes to hang out, have fun and make friends with other fellow athletes as well as student volunteers.

AYG - Kazakhstan Silkscreen Printing

There were many highly interesting activities that I found while browsing the Asian Cultural booths. I chanced upon a group of students working with paints. On closer look, they seemed to be doing some kind of printing. One of them welcomed me, Choon Ling and Allan. They were actually demonstrating the art of Silkscreen printing...passed down from ancient times. This was at the Kazakhstan booth.



They asked me to choose a pattern on offer. I did.

Then working with the chosen engraved block they applied a thin coat of paint to the red bag.



We waited 5 minutes for the paint to dry. A hair dryer was further applied to expedite the drying process.






Photo:
A student explaining the simplicity of silkscreen printing to C Ling.



Photo:
The finished products were presented to us. Well done students and well done Kazakhstan !


Now we have really understood what silkscreen printing is all about.

AYG - Good Morning Vietnam!

The Vietnam section was manned by a few very capable Vietnamese students who are all studying in SJI. They can speak English quite well and projected confidence and a great love for their native land. On the display tables were artifacts, artwork, musical instruments and samples of tea, coffee etc..from their land of birth.
I introduced myself to them by asking," Do you happen to know who looked after the large Vietnamese Contingent at the 1993 SEA Games in Singapore? "
When they smiled and shook their heads... I pointed to myself. Suddenly there was a flurry of excitement as the import of what I said registered.
One of them then blurted out, " That was the same year I was born in ! " I related my involvement with the Vietnamese Contingent and other delegations from Vietnam over many years since.

Photos:
Unk Dicko and a SSC volunteer from the Philippines with the guys from SJI.

In 2001, during the 1st ASIAN Schools Swimming C'ships, I was chief LO to VIP delegates, including Vietnam. Mr Lee Van Quan...the chief delegate taught me a song from his homeland.
I sang some lines of this song to this AYG group. They knew the song and joined in ! What was the song?

" Nhu' Co' Bac Ho trong ngay Vui dai thang'."
The chorus is quite simple and goes like this...Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh ( x 4 ).