NETS is preferred card for the first-ever Asian Youth Games

NETS has been officially announced as the preferred card for the inaugural Asian Youth Games (AYG) to be held in Singapore from 29 June to 7 July, 2009.

The Asian Youth Games (AYG) is an international multi-sports event held every four years to complement the existing Asian Games. The idea was first mooted as part of Singapore's Youth Olympic Games bid in 2007 and unanimously awarded to Singapore by the Olympic Council of Asia's (OCA) Executive Board and its 45 members in 2008.

AYG is a historic event and a milestone in the development of sports in Asia and Singapore. Being a homegrown brand, NETS, wants to support the development of local talents as well as to promote healthy living.

Most of the venues for training, warm-ups and competition are in the heartlands which is NETS’ traditional playing field and NETS wants to continue to show support to its merchants there with its preferred card status.

"Sports marketing has a great opportunity for us to re-affirm our presence in Singapore, given the already growing profile of sports in the country. Singapore has also invested time and resources to build an infrastructure for training, skill development as well as enhancing our education curriculum. This is where corporations like us can come in to support the other areas of talent development which is in sports," commented NETS’ CEO, Poh Mui Hoon.

She continues, "NETS can draw some analogies with sports in Singapore. Sports has become a way of life in this nation in the 21st century just like the way NETS has become part and parcel of the local payment landscape."

"Sports participation helps develop a resilient people with the virtues of perseverance, focus, discipline, teamwork, creativity, a drive to excel and a healthy lifestyle, which are highly valued by NETS. Sports is also an effective channel to bond people from various communities of our multi-racial society."

Ms. Poh continues: "Similarly, NETS is everywhere especially among the various heartland communities across all social strata. The Asian Youth Games also achieves many firsts for Singapore. NETS, being the pioneer in convenient cashless payment solutions in Singapore identifies with the challenges that come with being a trail blazer in the field."

[B]About Asian Youth Games[/B]

The Asian Youth Games (AYG) is an international multi-sports event held every four years to complement the existing Asian Games. The idea was first mooted as part of Singapore's Youth Olympic Games bid in 2007.

On 3 April 2008, the Olympic Council of Asia's (OCA) Executive Board unanimously agreed to award the hosting of the first AYG to Singapore. This decision was backed by all 45 members of the OCA on 6 April 2008. The inaugural AYG which will be co-organised by the Singapore Sports Council and the Ministry of Education aims to gather the youth from around Asia in a celebration of youth, sports and learning where they will engage in friendly competition and imbibe the Olympic sporting values of excellence, friendship and respect.

AYG Singapore 2009 will see athletes aged between 14 and 17 from 45 OCA member nations competing in 180 events across nine sports from 29 June to 7 July 2009.

Please visit www.ayg2009.sg for more information.

Credits: JRC