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Sport Singapore may be renowned for its food-lovers and shopaholics but improving its people’s fitness levels is high on the government’s agenda – although they have quite a job on their hands. Hardly the most physically dynamic of nations, competitive sports are not prominent and the nation’s favourite sports are listed as swimming and jogging, although there is a rising popularity in hockey and tennis. Every year, the Singapore Sports Council (tel: 6345 7111; website: www.ssc.gov.sg) organises healthy lifestyle activities designed for maximum participation, including national swim and cycle events. SPEX21 is a new initiative to encourage high-performance athletes in soccer, badminton, swimming and table tennis. There are more than a dozen stadiums and, with fitness such a high priority, there are facilities at every level across the island. Swimming is a favourite pastime, with pools in most residential areas; gyms are equipped with the latest in fitness technology. One of Singapore’s major sporting attractions is its acres of golf courses and, as an island, there are plenty of opportunities for watersports. For spectators, the national soccer team, the S-league (website: www.sleague.com), play at home at the National Stadium, Kallang. English football is immensely popular with regular televised Premier League and European matches; Liverpool and Manchester United have even toured Singapore over the past few years to play against local sides. Every year sees a boozy fiesta of international rugby, at the Rugby 7’s held in April also at the National Stadium. The Singapore Indoor Stadium, also at Kallang, hosts the Heineken Tennis Open tournament. One of the most popular spectator sports is horseracing, conducted all year round at the Singapore Turf Club (tel: 6879 1000) at Kranji, which provides the only legal outlet for gambling. Highlights are the Queen Elizabeth Cup and the lucrative Singapore Airlines International Cup, held in May. There is a dress code even in the public stands, with no shorts allowed and a smart-casual look for the Hibiscus Room, which allows visitors. Rugby and cricket matches are held on the Padang, an attractive setting at the colonial heart of Singapore. This is the home of the Singapore Cricket Club and is members only, although it is possible to watch matches away from the clubhouse. There are several other cricket grounds around the city, and league matches are held at weekends. Information on fixtures, events and venues are available through Singapore Sports Council (see above). Bowling: Ten-pin bowling is a popular pastime with over 20 bowling alleys in the city. The Singapore Ten-pin Bowling Congress (tel: 6440 7388) can give details of venues. Most are open 0900-0200 although some are open 24 hours. Fitness centres: Numerous centres include Ray Wilson California Fitness Center, Grange Road (tel: 6834 2100; website: www.calfitnesscentres.com), and Takashimaya Fitness Club, Ngee Ann City (tel: 6739 9314). Gym facilities are also available at all the major hotels. Golf: Singapore is said to have more golf courses per capita than any other country in the world (18), several of which are of championship quality. In most clubs, non-members are not allowed at weekends and they are often expected to hold a handicap or proficiency certificate to play at all. Courses include: Changi Golf Club, Netheravon Road (tel: 6545 5133), which has a nine-hole course with green fees from S$40; Keppel Club, Bukit Chermin Road (tel: 6273 5522), 18 holes from S$105; Laguna National Golf & Country Club, Laguna Golf Green (tel: 6541 0289), a masters and a classic course from S$150; Raffles Country Club, Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim (tel: 6861 7655), two 18-hole courses from S$123; Sentosa Golf Club, Bukit Manis Road (tel: 6275 0022), two 18-hole courses from S$164. More information on golf courses is available from the Singapore Tourism Board (website: www.visitsingapore.com). Karting: Karting Club of Singapore, 2 Fisher Street, Merchant Square (tel: 6354 2319; website: www.kartingclub-sg.com) encourages people to safely try go-karting. Riding & polo: The Singapore Polo Club, Mount Pleasant Road (tel: 6256 4530), hosts polo matches throughout the year. Sailing: Seasport Centre, Lagoon Hawker Centre, East Coast Parkway (tel: 6449 5118; fax: 6449 7181), can be used by non-members for windsurfing and sailing; as can the Changi Sailing Club, 32 Netheravon Road (tel: 6545 2876; fax: 6542 4235; e-mail: enquiry@csc.org.sg). Scuba diving: Singapore is not a destination offering crystal clear waters and colourful marine life but it is a good location to complete the pool training before heading off to clearer waters in Malaysia or Indonesia for open-water diving. There are several reputable dive operators, including Big Bubble Centre (tel: 6222 6862); SEADive Adventures (tel: 6734 7730) and the St Andrews Centre, 250 Tanjong Pagar Road (tel: 6220 9339; fax: 6220 7619). Squash: Courts can be hired at Kallang Squash and Tennis Centre, 52 Stadium Road (tel: 6440 6839), and St Wilfred Squash and Tennis Centre, 3 St Wilfred Road (tel: 6293 3452). Swimming: All the top hotels have pools and every residential neighbourhood has a public swimming complex. The Singapore Sports Council (tel: 6345 7111; website: www.ssc.gov.sg) can provide information. Tennis: Singapore Tennis Centre, East Coast Parkway (tel: 6449 9034), offers courts for hire; as does the Bedok Tennis Centre, 3 Bedok North Street (tel: 6443 1767) and Jurong Tennis Centre, 10, 4th Chin Bee Road (tel: 6265 0586). See also Squash above. Water-skiing & wakeboarding: Singapore’s waters can be quite sludgy but Singapore is one of Asia’s top water-skiing and wakeboarding nations. Several centres rent out equipment and also offer professional instruction: Cowabunga Ski Centre at Kallang Riverside Park (tel: 6344 8813; fax: 6346 1780; e-mail: cowabunga@pacific.net.sg); Ponggol Seasports, Ponggol Marina (tel: 6386 3891), and Williams Water Sports Centre, Sembawang Seasport Club (tel: 6257 5859; fax: 6386 3495). |
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