Well, it is a relief to learn that the budget of S$324.5m was underspent by S$60.4m. Hence, averting the financial fiasco of the Youth Olympic actual of S$387m - 3x over the budget planned!
It was SG50 in 2015 and I was one of the volunteers at the SEA Game devoting more than 8 days to it as I believe it is rare to have a chance to contribute as a sports volunteer in such an event, which Singapore last hosted a few decades ago. At the same time, I also questioned the BIG budget of S$324.5m mentioned then as SEA Game cannot be about promoting Singapore to unknown audience like the 'excuse' or reason given by the Youth Olympic committee and the government then.
Nobody pay heeds to it as everyone was so consumed with the 'pride' and patriotism of hosting the 'harmony GAME' on the 50th birthday of Singapore.
Seriously, could we have 'invested' or 'spent' less than S$100m to host a regional multi-sport event? What economic returns did it generate since Singapore has always been about: what is the ROI?
Anyway, the money had been spent. It is under the big budget given. So, is it 'sandbagging' and just as bad as the Youth Olympic blowing the budget by 3x? Each will draw his/her own conclusion.
It is important to note that winning gold medals in the SEA Game is not as worthy as those in the bigger games like Asian Game or Olympic Game. In fact, many of those winners were from the sports where Singapore had been king and queen for decades e.g. swimming, sailing and netball where we were Asian champions.
Congratulation to the SEA Game organisers for not blowing the budget nevertheless. Those who blown the Youth Olympic Game's budget by 3x did not suffer too much since. So, perhaps the SEA Game organisers could have over-spent too without any consequences! LOL!!
Peace to the world!
p/s: was in the land of the Great Firewall since Sunday and only managed to get a VPN working to be able to access this blog.
It was SG50 in 2015 and I was one of the volunteers at the SEA Game devoting more than 8 days to it as I believe it is rare to have a chance to contribute as a sports volunteer in such an event, which Singapore last hosted a few decades ago. At the same time, I also questioned the BIG budget of S$324.5m mentioned then as SEA Game cannot be about promoting Singapore to unknown audience like the 'excuse' or reason given by the Youth Olympic committee and the government then.
Nobody pay heeds to it as everyone was so consumed with the 'pride' and patriotism of hosting the 'harmony GAME' on the 50th birthday of Singapore.
Seriously, could we have 'invested' or 'spent' less than S$100m to host a regional multi-sport event? What economic returns did it generate since Singapore has always been about: what is the ROI?
Anyway, the money had been spent. It is under the big budget given. So, is it 'sandbagging' and just as bad as the Youth Olympic blowing the budget by 3x? Each will draw his/her own conclusion.
It is important to note that winning gold medals in the SEA Game is not as worthy as those in the bigger games like Asian Game or Olympic Game. In fact, many of those winners were from the sports where Singapore had been king and queen for decades e.g. swimming, sailing and netball where we were Asian champions.
Congratulation to the SEA Game organisers for not blowing the budget nevertheless. Those who blown the Youth Olympic Game's budget by 3x did not suffer too much since. So, perhaps the SEA Game organisers could have over-spent too without any consequences! LOL!!
Peace to the world!
p/s: was in the land of the Great Firewall since Sunday and only managed to get a VPN working to be able to access this blog.
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