Hosts vow to support their team

NEWTON, Singapore:Thousands of Singaporeans are expected to turn out to watch the opening ceremony of netball's most prestigious event, the World Netball Championships (WNC), which gets under way at 4 a.m. (Jamaica time) today at the National Indoor Centre in Singapore.

The organisers expect more than 4,000 locals to attend the event along with others from all over the world.

Jamaica's Molly Rhone, who is the president of the International Federation of Netball Associations, will be the keynote speaker at this morning's ceremony. Defending champions Australia, along with the 15 other competing teams, will parade with their country's flag at the ceremony.

Singaporeans said they will be rallying around their team, despite them begin ranked at number 19 in the world. They say that they would be waving their country's flag, cheering and supporting their team during the championships, which ends on July 10.

"I think this competition is marvellous for our country and I believe a lot more people would learn more about Singapore because of this," said Lee Hong, a supporter of the Singapore team.

"I have seen our girls train and they have worked really hard and we are going to be there supporting them," Hong added.

Kim Lou said she will also be attending the games to support her home team. "I will be there for my country because they will need the support of everyone," said Lou.

Jean Ang, captain of the Singapore team, said she is very happy for the support that they have received from their fans.

"The crowd support going in this championship has been good because we always play well in front of our home crowd ," said Ang.

Singapore are drawn in Group C alongside Jamaica, Botswana and South Africa.

- R.B.