Over the next nine days, 1,400 of Asia's top athletes from 14 to 17 years old will be taking part in the very first Asian Youth Games, which opened in Singapore on Monday.

The declaration by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong marked the official opening of the Games. The event is being held as a rehearsal for the Youth Olympic Games that will be staged next August in the country. 90 gold medals will be available in ten sports. Traditional powerhouse China has sent a squad including 15 year old diver Zhang Yanquan.

The current Under 15 boys and girls table tennis world number ones, Yin Hang and Chen Meng will also be taking part in the competition. Other nations expected to be near the top of the medals tables are Japan, India, South Korea and hosts Singapore.