Singapore Hosts the 8^th APA Sports Meet

The 8^th APA Sports Meet was successfully held in Singapore from 6 to 12 June 2004. This year’s event was participated in by about 300 delegates from 8 ASEAN countries, namely, Brunei, Cambodia Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore. The event was organized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore together with its port operators, the PSA and Jurong Port.

The Sports Meet this year was of particular significance since it marked the return to normalcy of business and of life in the region which just a year ago was seriously threatened by SARS. This contagion prompted the ASEAN officials to postpone the Sports Meet. After almost more than 4 years since the last APA Sports Meet held in Malaysia in 2000, its coming was deeply missed and anticipated. Singapore, for its part, was delighted to be this year’s host.

The event witnessed meaningful exchanges and interactions among the participants through sports as well as social activities such as the Welcome Lunch, Welcome Dinner and Closing Dinner. The winning smiles and active involvement of delegates during the cultural performances presented by member countries at the Closing Dinner reflected warmly the solidarity and friendship of which APA has been noted for.

There was also good camaraderie and sportsmanship displayed throughout the four sports activities of Golf, Marathon, Badminton and Soccer. After an exciting week of friendly competition, Indonesia emerged as the overall winner with 10 point, followed very closely by Malaysia and Thailand which both garnered 9 points each. Other member countries also did well.

It is strongly believed that all the participants in this year’s Meet should be commended for their sportsmanship. Far more important than winning was the promotion and strengthening of relationships among the ASEAN members which is a goal shared by the participants. Fostering of cooperation has been the primordial concern of the Sports Meet.

Established in 1987, the APA Sports Meet, which is held once every three years, has been one of the most important fora in the ASEAN port community, providing an excellent opportunity for members to meet, interact and improve relationships through various sports activities. Since its establishment seventeen (17) years ago, each member, except the new ones, has had its turn of hosting the Sports Meet.

While Singapore handed the APA flag to Brunei to signify its turn as the next host, it may give way to Vietnam, which, as the new APA member, may wish to be the next host .The final decision, however, as to which country plays as host of the Sports Meet is made during the APA annual meeting.