Singapore is ready to host the 28th SEA Games
SINGAPORE, April 26 (Bernama) -- All systems go for Singapore, the host
nation for the 28th SEA Games in June - the first time after 22 years.
All venues for the 36 sports as well as other logistics were ready for
the 12-day event from June 5 that would bring together about 7,000
athletes and officials.
The Lion City was previously chosen to host the Games in 2007 and 2013
but turned them down, citing costs associated with the construction of
the new Singapore Sports Hub as the reason.
The construction of the new sports hub was completed in mid-2014, with
the National Stadium, where most of the events would be held, now
features a 55,000-seat capacity.
Chief of venue operations, protocol, enterprise risk management Lai Chin
Kwang said apart from the National Stadium, the sports hub also houses
an indoor stadium, three halls (in OCBC Arena) and swimming pools in the
OCBC Aquatic Centre.
Lai noted that the opening and closing ceremonies for the Games as well
as the men's semifinal and final football matches would be held at the
National Stadium.
"We are very excited and honoured to host the SEA Games as it coincides
with the Singapore's 50th anniversary of the independence.
"We look forward to welcome all ASEAN members and celebrate the
extraordinary programmes during the biennial Games," he said during the
Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) visit to the Singapore
Sports Hub, Sunday.
The SAM delegation, comprising its committee members, National Sports
Council representatives and the media, were briefed by the Singapore SEA
Games Organising Committee (SINGSOC) on the Games' logistics and venues
The idea of a hub for sports, entertainment and lifestyle was first
mooted in 2001, as one of 40 key recommendations put up by the Committee
on Sporting Singapore.
The hub is also home to athletic events, an indoor aquatic centre, a multi-purpose indoor arena and a water sports centre.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Deputy High Commissioner to Singapore Kamsiah
Kamaruddin said Singapore is almost 100 per cent ready to receive
athletes and sports fans.
SAM president Ahmad Khawari Isa commended Singapore for showcasing the
state-of-the-art sports facilities for the Games and he is excited to
come back for the Games.
From Zuriati Zulmi
-- BERNAMA
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