The Singapore National Youth Orchestra started the ceremony with a performance that was followed by a rendition of the tournament's theme song "Asia's Youth, Our Future" by a member of the School of the Arts. After more performances and various speeches the Games were declared open.
Brunei is represented by a five-member contingent made up of two athletes, two coaches and a chef de mission.
Nurafiqah Hj Rozaini is competing in the women's 100m race while Amanda Liew Jia Xin will compete in the women's 100m breaststroke. Both Brunei athletes are 15.
One of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) member countries who were not represented at the opening ceremony was Malaysia, who announced their withdrawal due to the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak on their national news agency Bernama on Sunday.
Malaysia was to have sent a contingent of 109 athletes and officials headed by chef de mission Marina Chin until the directive from its Education Ministry which barred students and teachers from participating in overseas sports competition because of the Influenza A outbreak.
Malaysia would not be taking part in the Games except for the two members of the sailing team who are already in Singapore and would continue to participate in their respective events.
Some 42 Asian countries are participating in 10 sports at the Games.The Brunei Times.
Courtesy from Brunei Times
