IT CERTAINLY did not have the sheer grandeur of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony last year.

But the Asian Youth Games' (AYG) version at the Singapore Indoor Stadium last night did evoke the precise mood that all Singaporeans should have as the Republic hosts over 1,400 athletes from 43 Asian nations for the next eight days: Exuberance.

Indeed, judging from the energetic performances by local students, the warm smiles of the athletes' contingent, and the loud cheers that greeted the three final torch-bearers (Tao Li, Remy Ong and Jasmine Ser), it was clear that everyone in the stadium is ready for the Games.

What about you?

Are you still paralysed by the fear of contracting the Influenza A (H1N1) virus at the AYG? Are you still blase about the lack of top-notch competition or athletes at the Games?

These are valid concerns, no doubt.

But let's immerse ourselves in the rare occasion of hosting a multi-sport event.

Indeed, Singapore hosted only two South-east Asia Games in the last 26 years, but will now host this AYG and the much-larger-scale Youth Olympic Games just a year apart.

Can the Republic pull it off? Not without wide support.

The organisers have done all they can to contain the instances of H1N1 viral contraction among the athletes. So far they have been successful in doing so.

So, if you're healthy and have been maintaining top-notch hygiene, why not invest a bit of trust in the AYG?

Go watch the Games, and be caught up in the exuberant displays of the young athletes. It sure beats holing up at home, worrying about the H1N1 virus and moaning about the economic downturn.

For more my paper stories click here.