兩日賽程規劃
A planning guide for members hosting the PAMA Global Annual Competition: the Secretariat’s recommendations for both days, from managing contestants to the closing dinner.
1Contestants management
- Verify the number of contestants in each group. First-time host members should limit contestants to 500; members that have hosted twice or more, to 600. (Contestants who do not achieve a minimum total score of 300 receive no award or certificate.)
- Awards distribution: 20% Champions, 20% first runners-up, 30% second runners-up, 30% third runners-up. Markers may send the list to the Secretariat for confirmation.
- When contestants tie on total score, ranking is decided by tie-breakers; if still tied, compare each subject in competition order; if still equal, an extra tie-breaker is held with the time limit reduced to 45 seconds.
- Verify the names on the ID passes against the list.
- Use a different T-shirt colour for each group, ideally matching each group’s test-paper colour.
2Awards and trophies
- Awards distribution: 20% Champions, 20% first runners-up, 30% second runners-up, 30% third runners-up of all contestants in a group.
- Best Coach Award trophy — one per group; five best-coach awards. (The Secretariat offers a US$100 scholarship to each Champion of Champions winner.)
- Contribution Awards depend on a country’s contestant count: 1–9 contestants, one free award courtesy of the host; 10 or more, two free awards, with additional awards available from the host at cost.
- The Secretariat manages the extra events each year, from preparation to hosting, best scheduled 11 am–12 pm on competition day. Use distinct, high-quality, resilient designs for trophies, medals and prizes, and provide carrying containers.
3Competition questions and papers
- The Secretariat provides only the exam-paper source files; the host country handles printing.
- Ensure enough copies for all contestants. Each country and observing member receives a set of question papers (prepare about 30 sets for official and observing members).
- Use different paper colours per group; print ID numbers on the back beforehand so contestants only verify their number during the competition.
- After printing and marking, papers are sealed and kept secure; the chief referee opens the seal in the open on competition day to demonstrate fairness.
4Annual almanac
- Make the annual almanac about 64 pages long.
- Every contestant receives one copy.
- Every chairman receives two copies.
- Reserve 20 copies for the Secretariat for promotional purposes.
5Contestant certificates
- Use the Mail Merge function in Word or a similar program to print certificates.
- Alternatively, print certificates with contestants’ names and stamp the finishing places on them.
6Staff placement
- All staff wear a uniform or vest of the same colour and carry identification.
- Raise the flags or signs for each country in the opening ceremony.
- Distribute papers to contestants — assign 25–30 people, each responsible for one row or column — and transfer papers to the markers.
- Mark papers — assign one marker per 15–20 contestants, ideally per row or column.
- Record scores into the computer with at least two teams: one reads the paper scores, the other records them.
- Assemble the full score report and distribute a copy to each chairman for the award ceremony; organise the certificates for the ceremony.
- Award-ceremony staff line up students by group and prize (one person per 25–30 students); at least two staff on stage guide students and guests and call winners’ names; at least five staff on stage handle prizes and trophies, in matching uniform and white gloves.
- Appoint one chief referee — ideally an honorary chairman — who may enter the marking room to resolve disputes or irregularities.
- Place experienced staff in front of the stage to organise test papers and hand them to the distributing team.
7Catering and seating duties
- Chairmen may be seated together during the luncheon (about two tables).
- Lead contestants and family members to their seats during the luncheon.
- Avoid cuisine with pork out of respect for Muslim traditions.
- Plan the seating chart beforehand to save time and serve registered guests.
8VIP and contestant seating
- Seat all contestants facing the stage, with at least 30 cm between each to avoid plagiarism or distraction.
- Avoid seating contestants from the same country together. Seat Group A — the youngest, needing the most attention — closer to the stage, followed by Groups B, C and D.
- Reserve seats for all current chairmen, three Secretariat representatives, and other VIPs and guests.
- Seat family members from the same country in the same zone for better communication.
- Unless the stage has room, keep only the Champion trophies on stage; place the rest beside it and hand them to contestants as they go up.
- Use catchy designs and vibrant colours for the stage and background.
- Each country provides two national flags (if not already supplied); observing members prepare three (two for the host, one backup for the Secretariat). PAMA’s official flag (150 cm × 170 cm) is large and must be hung rather than placed on a pole.
- Prepare table mats, number plates or stickers, and small souvenirs, placed on the tables before the event.
9Annual extra exhibition event
- Covers the Prize Tournament, Reveal Mental Arithmetic Exhibition, and Computer Flash Competition.
- In the pre-competition meeting, the Secretariat explains the year’s exhibition-event procedures, prepares the necessary materials, and informs the host country in advance of any equipment needed, such as a projector.
10Opening ceremony
- Entrance order: the Secretary-General with the PAMA main flag, then member countries’ flags in alphabetical order, then observing members’ flags. Play the national anthem as each national flag enters.
- Assign one staff member to hold each country’s name-and-flag sign, followed by that country’s chairman and one contestant.
- At most three opening speeches (three minutes each plus translation, in the native language and English) from the host-country chairman, host-country VIPs, or an honorary chairman.
- Award the Chairman Certificate (by host-country VIPs), followed by one or two opening performances.
11During the competition
- The host-country chairperson is suggested as Chief Referee.
- All subjects are announced and moderated by one or two chairmen together; give the first subject to the host country, then proceed from the countries with the most contestants to the fewest.
- Demonstrate the “Start” and “Stop” cues and commands at the beginning.
- Provide at least two MCs — one in the native language, one in English.
- The computer flash competition is moderated by the Secretariat in an elimination format requiring improvisation; at least two staff help check answers, and chairmen who have not moderated may assist.
12Talent show
- Allow enough room on stage for talent shows.
- Arrange the order of performances (5–8 minutes each) and assign people to manage music, line-up and announcements.
13Award ceremony
- Appoint one Master of Ceremony — ideally an honorary chairman — to lead the moderation and procedures, working with the MCs.
- Inform chairmen of their duties at the pre-competition meeting and prepare their documents; MCs keep backup plans in case a chairman is absent.
- At most two speeches, three minutes each (native language with English translation), ideally by the host-country chairman and a VIP.
- During the handover of the PAMA flag, the next host country’s chairman gives a short speech of about three minutes.
- The Champion of Champions and Best Coach Award trophies should be of unique design; as these are usually announced together, contestants, teachers and parents share the stage.
14Pre-competition meeting and welcoming dinner
- The Secretariat collects the membership admission fee, annual membership fee, and other dues.
- The host country presents the competition procedures and must-knows.
- The Secretariat explains the rules for the computer flash competition, reveal mental arithmetic, and prize tournament.
- The host country distributes competition documents — almanac, T-shirts, ID tags, photos and others.
- Observing members present and introduce themselves.
- Members review the Secretariat’s meeting report.
- Welcoming dinner and souvenir exchange.
15Celebratory dinner
- Distribute contestant certificates, full competition scores, and the sample questions.
- Review the competition and discuss potential shortcomings.
- Hand over materials to the next host country — national flags, PAMA main flags, and flagpoles.
16Miscellaneous
- Send the invoice for all competition charges to members for verification one month before the competition.
- Remind contestants to bring a small souvenir (about US$10) to exchange during the luncheon.
- Arrange the order of group-photo sessions after the competition.
- The host country appoints a professional photographer and videographer; only Secretariat-authorised photographers may shoot group-photo sessions, and only photographers, videographers and the Secretary-General may enter the competition area.
- Train paper-distributing staff to maintain order and correct any violations among contestants.
- The host country announces the time and location of the pre-competition, post-competition, and other meetings.
- Post PAMA Global’s website address and QR code on venue posters.
- The host country orders the computer-flash-competition medals locally (about US$20 each, ten required); the Secretariat covers the expense.
- The host country prepares small desktop flags of all attending countries for meetings and the stage.
- For the Secretariat to order table mats (US$3 each), inform them at least three months in advance.
- The host country is encouraged to invite news media and press.
- Send official competition-invitation documents to all members at least three months in advance, allowing time for government coordination and visa applications.
- Any items not covered here will be added in future.