IHG Opening Ceremony

Written by Dean Liaw Yih Hang

Edited by Ong Hui Shan

A little competition never hurt anyone. Sports have long been the cornerstone of varsity life, a means of keeping in shape on top of the usual brain workouts, a time to play and relax, a time to build friendships and a time to bring out the competitive spirit in everyone. The Inter-Hall Games (IHG) is an annual sports meet that pits the residents of the 6 residential halls in the university against each other. The competitors fight not only for their own pride, but also for the glory of the hall whose colours they don.

IHG 11/12 started early this year, a week before the official commencement of classes. The opening ceremony was however scheduled for 9 January, the first day of the new semester. It was held at the Sports & Recreation Centre pool, in front of eager spectators who were waiting to watch the IHG swimming competition. The ceremony was thus kept short and simple in anticipation of the excitement that was to follow.

The event started much earlier than planned and it opened with a welcome address from the IHG Convening Chairperson Jonathan Ng from Eusoff Hall. Next, he led the taking of the IHG Oath where everyone raised their right hands and pledged to display gracious sportsmanship throughout the games.

The IHG Oath

 

Subsequently, Dean of Students Professor Tan Teck Koon, the guest-of-honour for the event, was invited to give a short speech. Prof Tan and Jonathan then cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of IHG. After ribbon cutting, Prof Tan was given the honour to sound the horn, signaling the commencement of the swimming event.

 

Prof Tan (center) and Jonathan (right) cutting the ribbon

 

Prof Tan sounding off the swimming event

With that, the IHG opening ceremony was over by 6:30pm, and the VIPs were ushered off to enjoy the refreshments prepared for them. The opening ceremony might have ended, but the following days of IHG are shrouded in uncertainty. Which hall will emerge as champion of IHG 11/12? Will it be one of the renowned “sports halls”, or will the games go to the underdogs? Regardless, it is clear from the looks and smiles of everyone in attendance that night as they cheered their fellow hall mates on that there will only be winners.