THE YOG 2010 GOODIE BAG - FROM DESIGN TO DELIVERY

The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) 2010 Opening and Closing Ceremony (OCC) committee is certainly looking into every detail to make sure the this inaugural international event makes an impact on the world. Even the design of the YOG 2010-OCC goodie bag, termed the interactive kit, went through a meticulous planning and thought process.

Full-time National Serviceman (NSF) Corporal (CPL) Elson Sng, an Armament Technician from the Singapore Armed Forces 6th Army Maintenance Base (6AMB), came up with the design concept of the interactive kit together with YOG show director Ivan Heng. With every new design and concept proposed, CPL Sng had to tweak it according to what the show committee wanted, and that required much time and effort.

"One of the more difficult parts was to satisfy the various conditions within the given budget. I had to liaise with the show committee to know what they wanted for the designs, contact vendors for the prototypes, as well as discussed the materials of the prototype with the vendors," said the 23-year-old.

"For example, the concept for the interactive kit is a 'go-green' concept. So we had to use recyclable materials for the bags. And since the interactive kits are for youths, we also had to test out the items for safety issues before they can be used," he added.

In total, 76,000 OCC interactive kits are being packed, with 6AMB put in charge of the kits - from the design to the packing, and even to the delivery stage. Despite the massive responsibility and heavy workload that had to be shouldered, Military Expert (ME) 4 Woon Wee Koon felt very honoured that this was tasked to 6AMB.

"This is truly an opportunity of a lifetime. We don't get many chances to be involved in an international event such as this and we're really glad that this was being tasked down to us," said the Depot Commander of 61st Forward Maintenance Depot (FMD).

"We started planning this last November and though it was tiring and there were loads of tempers flaring, we don't regret it. The day I see the kits being used, I'll be very happy!"

To expedite the packing process, ME4 Woon roped in uniform groups such as the National Cadet Corps (NCC), the Girls' Brigade and the Girl Guides to help out. The large-scale packing event, which will last for three weeks till the end of July, is taking place at the Nee Soon Driclad Centre.

"Since this is the YOG, we wanted to involve the youths. Therefore, we took this opportunity to ask these uniform groups to help out. They come down to the camp to pack for about three hours. Even though it's tiring, I can see that these students are happy as it is an experience for them to be involved in the packing process," said the 32-year-old.Fourteen-year-old Vivien Koh, a Secondary Two student from St Hilda's Secondary who is in the Girls' Brigade, told cyberpioneer she was initially unwilling to be involved in the packing as she felt it would be tiring. However, after experiencing the process, she feels that all the effort was worthwhile."Though it is tiring, I still feel happy. I'm willing to come here again to pack because it's fun to be doing it with my friends!" she exclaimed.The interactive kit comes in two versions, the opening kit and the closing kit. Other than the usual items like water, poncho and wet tissues, the kits also consist of clappers, miniature Singapore and YOG flags and a heart-shaped light stick. The difference between the opening and closing kits is a dove light stick, representing peace, for the opening kit, while the closing kit has a lighted fire-shaped cap instead.The kits are available in five distinct colours - blue, green, orange, red and black - in line with the colours of the five Olympic rings. The interactive kits will be distributed during the opening and closing ceremonies to athletes, VIPs, performers as well as members of the public.