This is the second year that Singapore Gymnastics organizes the “Gymnastics for All” Gymfest. The main objective is to encourage participation in activities involving dances, exercises, movements, mass displays and many others to promote healthy lifestyle and friendship amongst participants.

Our friends from Japan, Thailand and Korea participated and performed many interesting items. There were opportunities for all participants to get to know each other and enjoyed a fun-filled day together.

There were altogether 21 items and 400 participants.

Comments and conclusions

1.     We are thankful for the support from our foreign counterparts especially Mr Tatsuo Araki who had been sending different teams from Japan and helped set the benchmark of performance standards.

The Thai team came with many props and accessories and paid for their own expenses to come to Singapore.

The Koreans also showed strong support even though the numbers were small.

2.     The timing of Gymfest this year coincided with Teachers’ day celebration and start of the school holidays. Many schools could not take up the offer of Nittai-dai’s performance and many could not send teams to participate. Ideally the date should be mid-September.

3.     Even though 1000 flyers were printed and circulated during the National Inter-school gymnastics championship, we need to find other means of publicity.

4.     We should look at sending selected teams to represent Singapore for participation in major events like the World Gymnaestrada and any other international events involving “Gymnastics for All”.

5.     The performances at schools can be one effective way of reaching out to more.

6.     Families who helped host the foreign teams are commendable. They set very good example of the spirit of giving.

7.     With the successful conclusion of Gymfest 2008, the target of having Gymfest as a yearly event would be a realistic one.