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Warming Up Shooting Urban There is sporting Stars Conversations action aplenty Team ’s Learning from here ahead of the Commonwealth Singapore’s 2015 SEA Games Games heroes development story

JUL – SEP 2014 / Issue 51 A newsletter of the S ingapore Cooperation Programme Sporting Singapore Stunning new Hub is the beating heart of an active nation E d ’s Not e Contents Dear readers, 3 Focus Let The Games Begin! ingapore clinched its first in 1960 when The stunning new Singapore Mr Tan Howe Liang literally lifted our sports status with a Sports Hub puts Singapore Silver medal in weightlifting. Since then, we have clocked on the global sporting map, up other achievements, from the adrenaline-pumping while at the same time 2008 Beijing Olympics when Team Singapore came home giving the community a with a Silver medal to swimmer Joseph Schooling’s Bronze space in which to come Smedal at the recent 2014. Next year, the nation is set to together and bond. host the 2015 ! For a start, check out the splendid Singapore Sports Hub which 6 In Singapore will host the SEA Games in Let the Games Begin! on page 3. Shooting Stars Many Singaporeans fondly remember the former National Stadium, Team Singapore — and in where the Hub now stands, before it was closed in 2007. In its new particular, two of its best incarnation, the Stadium has received a fresh breath of life as it shooters — achieved some continues our legacy and spirit of sporting excellence. historic breakthroughs at this summer’s More than the ‘hardware’, we are even prouder of our ‘software’ . in the sporting arena — our very own athletes. Celebrate the achievements of these outstanding athletes in 8 Joining Hands Shooting Stars, as we talk to two Gold medal winners from the Warming Up th in Glasgow. The Games saw Singapore athletes The 28 Southeast Asian taking home 17 medals — including eight Gold Games comes to Singapore’s shores in 2015, but long before medals — in a fine showing for the Republic. this, there is already sporting Find out also how we are (page 8) Warming Up action galore here in the form in regional and international competitions of regional competitions. ranging from swimming and sailing to and as the country gears up for next 10 Reflections year’s SEA Games. Beyond sparring with other countries in the Urban Conversations Officials from studied competitive sports arena, Singapore strives to Singapore’s experience and forge lasting friendships with other countries. In policies in urban development Shooting Stars, Urban Conversations, read about a two-week study visit by Chinese pg6 during a two-week visit officials and how the Singapore Cooperation Programme shares with organised by the Singapore them our unique experiences, challenges and knowledge about Cooperation Programme. urban planning and development.

Sport is one of the few denominators in the which has the Sports Hub Soh/Singapore Cover photo: Darren power to bridge divisions, bringing together people of different nationalities, races, religions and socio-economic statuses. We hope that through this issue, we can celebrate with you the spirit of trust and friendship which transcends borders and ethnicities. Enjoy reading! Keep in ! Copyright © is held by the publishers. Share with us your memories, All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole photos and experiences in or in part without permission is prohibited. Singapore under the Printed in Singapore by Times Printers. Singapore Cooperation www.timesprinters.com. ISSN: 0219-2896 Programme. Email us at [email protected]. Experience Singapore is a publication of the Director Public Affairs and Technical Cooperation Directorates of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Public Affairs Directorate Singapore. The Singapore Cooperation Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore Programme (SCP) is administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, and is aimed at sharing Singapore’s developmental experience with other developing countries.

Publishing Consultant www.scp.gov.sg Like SCP Alumni on Facebook Follow us on Twitter @MFAsg MediaCorp Pte Ltd

2 Jul - sep 2014 Issue 51 Focus sporting singapore

Let The Games Begin! The new Singapore Sports Hub puts Singapore on the global sporting map while giving the community a space to bond WORDS BY GENE KHOR

The National Stadium’s retractable roof

Photo: Singapore is the largest dome structure in the world.

Experience Singapore 3 Focus Sporting Singapore

he closing of SINGAPORE’s National Stadium seven Tyears ago marked the end of an era. The Grand Old Dame had opened in July 1973 and until 2007 was the venue for many of the country’s National Day celebrations and innumerable pop concerts. It also witnessed Singapore’s best footballers taking on the Malaysian and Bruneian teams during the Cup league matches from the 1970s to the early 1990s. It was at these matches that The new stadium has a The OCBC Aquatic Centre, the “ Roar” — the name retractable massive dome roof which hosted the given to the cheers from Singapore and seating, which can support Asian Swimming Championships, football fans who packed the stands the widest range of sports and seats up to during home matches — was born. leisure events. 3,000 spectators. Now in 2014, the roaring flame In addition, the pitch is made of Singaporeans’ sporting passion of a combination of natural grass and camaraderie is rekindled at reinforced by artificial fibres for the site of the old Stadium, as the added durability — a first in . brand new Singapore Sports Hub It was on this pitch that reigning (SSH) ushers in a new era of sports Italian football league champion in Singapore. Juventus took on Singapore’s finest players in August 2014 in an BIGGER AND BETTER international friendly match. The stunning SSH is an integrated Beyond its beautiful façade, sports, leisure, entertainment and SSH also boasts many sustainable The Sports Hub lifestyle destination. At the heart features, earning it a Green Mark is intended as of SSH is the new 55,000-seat GoldPlus rating from the Building a community focal point, with National Stadium. The futuristic and Construction Authority. Over structure has a height of 82.5m 2,700 solar panels are installed and Taekwondo being some of the and a diameter of 310m — wide around the precinct to partially sports that have enough to fit four A380 jumbo jets! power the structure’s cooling dedicated facilities.

4 Jul - sep 2014 Issue 51 So massive is the dome that four A380 jumbo jet planes can fit abreast inside.

MORE TO COME About 60 events are scheduled to be held at the SSH between late 2014 and December 2015. Fans got to see some of the world’s best tennis players like Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova tear up the court at the Singapore Indoor Stadium — also part of the SSH — in October 2014 for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals system that includes vents that month. A record 16 teams from Singapore, a 10-day international pump cool air from underneath 10 countries including the Czech tournament which Singapore will each seat in the spectator stands. Republic, and host for five years. This is the first Timber benches from the former crossed swords — or in this case, time the high-profile tournament National Stadium have also been floorball sticks. was held in Southeast Asia, with recycled as art installations inside But the SSH is more than just Singapore joining the honour roll the Sports Hub Library. a sports venue. It is also a bridge of past host cities like Madrid, to the community — a communal Munich and New York. A STUNNING DISPLAY place where Singaporeans can And to add to the excitement, The SSH’s other facilities have also enjoy leisure activities and hang the Brazilian and Japanese national seen their fair share of action. Some out with one another. There is the football teams also clashed here in 200 athletes from seven Southeast Kallang Wave, a shopping mall of an international friendly. Asian countries made a splash at over 41,000 sq m that also houses But the biggest event on the the biennial TYR Southeast Asian a waterpark and Singapore’s tallest SSH’s calendar is the forthcoming Swimming Championships in indoor rock-climbing wall. Also, an 28th SEA Games, to be held over 12 June 2014 at the 3,000-seat OCBC information and resource centre days in June 2015. SSH and 15 other Aquatic Centre. comprising the Sports Hub library, venues in Singapore will see some The OCBC Arena indoor hall, Singapore Sports Museum and 7,000 athletes from 11 Southeast which also seats 3,000, became Visitor Centre provides a glimpse Asian countries competing in 402 the first non-European venue to into the Stadium’s past. At the events in 36 sports. (Turn to page 8 host the biennial World University Water Sports Centre, there are to find out what’s happening ahead Floorball Championship that same canoes and kayaks for rent. of the Games.) Photos: Singapore Sports Hub, Andrew Tan/, Stanley Cheah/Sport Singapore, Arup, DP Architects Stanley Cheah/Sport Singapore, Singapore, Tan/Sport Sports Hub, Andrew Photos: Singapore

Experience Singapore 5 In Singapore Going for Gold Shooting for

Team Singapore achieved some theS tars historic breakthroughs at this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Experience Singapore speaks to two Gold medal winners WORDS BY Syed Jaafar Alkaff

he 20th iteration of the quadrennial TCommonwealth Games, held in Glasgow, , was the perfect chance for Singapore’s athletes to show off the nation’s broad range of talents. As one of the youngest teams the Republic has ever sent to Jasmine Ser the Games — with 45 of the 70-strong contingent attributes her fine Jasmine Ser, 24 comprising young athletes making their debut showing at the Gold, 50m Rifle 3 Positions Commonwealth on the world stage — Team Singapore displayed Games to the hard Jasmine took up shooting at age 13 and found it unique tremendous confidence and fighting spirit. They work she and her among the sports clubs in her secondary school. Her returned home with eight Gold, five Silver and four have put in. skilled marksmanship did not go unnoticed. In 2013, Bronze medals, in addition to two Games records and she was selected for the Singapore Sports Institute’s seven national records. Sport Excellence Scholarship, which enables her to Mr Low Teo Ping, one of Singapore’s train full-time. Commonwealth Games Chefs-de-Mission and vice- The training has paid off — her outstanding president of the Singapore National Olympic Council, of 449.1 set a new Commonwealth Games Record in paid tribute to the fine showing. “Over the past few the demanding 50m rifle three positions final. “The years, our athletes have been giving us more and hard work my coach and I put in, as well as the strong more reason to cheer. Even our young athletes are support from the Singapore Shooting Association who performing better and better on the international believed in me, are what have made me successful.” stage. Not all will end up winning medals, but they Although this is her third Commonwealth Games have always displayed true determination and grit, gold medal — having won two at the 2010 Games performing to the best of their abilities. These are in , — she is “overwhelmed at the values every athlete should display every time they support she has received from fellow Singaporeans”, don our Singapore colours.” adding that “This is motivation to strive harder and Indeed, for two such athletes, determination and aim for excellence!” grit paid off in the form of a pair of Gold medals. And strive she will, as she is hoping to secure a Experience Singapore speaks to two Gold medal place at the 2016 Olympics. “Competing overseas holders who have made Singapore proud on the against the world’s best shooters, and preparing international sports arena. myself both physically and mentally are my aims

ahead of the 2016 Olympics.” Photos of Jasmine and Shun Xie: xxxx

6 Jul - sep 2014 Issue 51 Going for the Gold Besides its success in the shooting arena, Team Singapore shone brightest in table tennis, with six Gold, two Silver and two Bronze medals. Paddlers and Yu Mengyu took the Gold in the women’s doubles event, while Zhan Jian and Gao Ning took the Silver and Gold medals, respectively, when they battled each other in the men’s singles final. Another medal hopeful, 19-year-old swimmer Joseph Schooling, did Singapore proud by clinching the Silver in the 100m butterfly final, beating the national record. Meanwhile, in badminton, 25-year-old shuttler Derek Wong became the first Singaporean to reach the men’s singles final, in which he fought hard to clinch the Silver. And in another first for the nation, 25-year-old gymnast Hoe Wah Toon won Singapore its first Commonwealth Games medal in the vault event.

Star swimmer Paddlers Gao Joseph Ning (left) and Schooling Zhan Jian took set a new Silver and Gold, national record. respectively.

Teo Shun Xie Teo Shun Xie, 26 recovered from Gold, 10m Air Pistol a disappointing qualifying to win a Shun Xie took up air pistol as a 17-year-old junior Gold medal at the college student. The petite athlete tells Experience Commonwealth Singapore, “Shooting is a sport based on skill. Games. Therefore, we can be of smaller build but yet be equally skilled.” In 2006, she was invited to join the national Team Singapore (in ) took shooting team. She has represented Singapore the Gold in the in various competitions since 2009, winning Silver women’s doubles table tennis final. in the 10m air pistol event at the 2013 Southeast Asian Games. But that was just a taste of things to come. In Glasgow, her top score of 198.6 was a Games record, even though she had to fight her way up from seventh place. “The new format of the final played quite a big part — I didn’t do well in qualifying, but everyone starts the final from zero regardless of your qualification score. So I persevered and stuck to my game plan and didn’t let the crowd or other expectations distract me.” After her Games win, Shun Xie’s next big target is qualifying for the 2016 in Brazil. Feeling confident, she says, “When it happens, I hope I will be able to bring something back for Singapore.”

Shuttler Derek Wong became the first Singaporean to “Our athletes have been giving us more reach a badminton men’s singles final and more reason to cheer. Even our at a Commonwealth young athletes are performing better Games. and better on the international stage.” Mr Low Teo Ping, Singapore’s commonwealth games Chef-de-mission Photos: Getty Images

Experience Singapore 7 The OCBC Aquatic Centre hosted the Joining Hands TYR Southeast Asian sporting action galore Swimming Championships.

WARMINth G UP The 28 Southeast Asian Games comes to Singapore in 2015, but way before this, there is already sporting action galore WORDS BY GENE KHOR

Singapore successfully defended its title in the Mission Foods Asian Netball Championships.

ingapore celebrates its 50th year of independence in 2015, and extra shine Shas been added to the planned celebrations — after a 22-year gap, the country will once again host the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, one of the region’s biggest sporting events. The SEA Games will take place from 5 to 16 June 2015, and will see SPLASHING OUT swimming, synchronised swimming over 7,000 athletes from 11 South- One of the first was the biennial and water . east Asian countries competing in TYR Southeast Asian Swimming Singapore demonstrated its a whopping 402 events across 36 Championships held at the swimming prowess with the largest sports. The newly-built Singapore OCBC Aquatic Centre at SSH. medal haul with 20 Gold, 22 Silver Sports Hub (SSH) will be the main From 14 to 26 June 2014, some and 14 Bronze. “This success bodes venue for the Games. 200 athletes from Indonesia, well as we turn our full attention to But ahead of the Games, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, making preparations for the 28th SEA various regional competitions Thailand and Vietnam competed at Games next year,” says Singapore are already heating up the the 3,000-seat swimming complex Swimming Association president, sports arena. in four aquatic disciplines — diving, Mr Lee Kok Choy.

8 Jul - sep 2014 Issue 51 Photos: Singapore Sports Hub, , VOXSPORTS do ourcountry proud.” to want we and hard really trained “We’ve Shan. Hui says Heng member Games,” the Singapore National Floorball Team for home really excited we’re bring and medal gold to the hoping we’re Republic, Czech Finland andJapancompeted. the including countries 10 from teams 16 record arena,a indoor multi-purpose seat 3,000- the At 2014. June from 22 to 18 Arena OCBC SSH’s the — non-European a at venue held was (WUFC) Floorball Championship biennial the 2015 Games. For the firsttime ever, the at debut its make will , Floorball, an indoor sport similar to COURTING GOLD “For the coming SEA Games, Games, SEA coming the “For World University 2 attention we t bod 8 t next year.” o M h f r l

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ll ll World Cup inSydney, 2015 . the in place a earning each Lanka Sri and took Singapore with part India, and Japan including Ten2014. September 14 countries, courts the of the on OCBC Arena out from 7 played to was most — competition Asia in the netball — prestigious tournament The Asian NetballChampionships. defended in the its title recently most country the where netball, is is in high flying Singapore that sport Another Outside our shores, Singapore’s Mission Foods Mission Foods for a wonderful sports spectacle spectacle next year! sports wonderful a for their belt, they are all well-prepared mettle. athletes’ our of test real a were took here to place that competitions the Singapore regional spirit, sporting its for showcase platforms came sailors through with a pair of our gold medals. where 2014 China, the at Nanjing, in Games Olympic Youth skills been their also honing have athletes young With these experiences under under experiences these With exciting being Besides E ingapore Singapore xperience 9

Learning visit Urban Conversations Officials from China studied Singapore’s experience and policies in urban development during a two-week visit organised by the Singapore Cooperation Programme WORDS BY GENE KHOR

HAT challenges could a public housing estate and the Wsmall island city-state and the most Singapore River. These inter­ populous country in the world find active lessons showcased the in common? development of Singapore’s A group of 23 Chinese cityscape, as well as ongoing inter- As the visit progressed, senior officials explored this agency efforts in urbanisation to Chief Planner Mr Tang Kai question during a recent trip to meet the needs of its population. came to realise that study Singapore’s experience in The delegates also exchanged Singapore and China shared urbanisation and city management. views with key policymakers and similar urban challenges. The delegation, led by Chief experts. Senior Minister of State, Planner of the Ministry of Housing Ministry of Trade and Industry and and Urban-Rural Development, Ministry of National Development Mr Tang Kai, and Director-General Mr Lee Yi Shyan hosted a of the Ministry of Transport’s dialogue session to discuss social Department of Integrated Transport, and economic issues of urban Mr Liu Xiaoming, comprised city populations. Chairman of the mayors and directors-general in Centre for Liveable Cities Dr Liu charge of urban development from Thai Ker; Chief Planner and Deputy various provinces and cities in China. Chief Executive Officer of the The Civil Service College of Urban Redevelopment Authority Singapore organised a multi- Mr Lim Eng Hwee; and Chief faceted programme from 16 to 27 Executive of the Singapore Land June 2014 which included briefings Authority Mr Vincent Hoong also by government agencies such as spent time with the delegation. the Building and Construction Authority, National Parks Board, DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, SIMILAR CHALLENGES and the Housing and Development The dialogue with Board. They also visited the Asian Chief Planner Mr Tang felt that Senior Minister of State Mr Lee Yi Shyan Civilisations Museum, Gardens the compact programme greatly (right) on urban social by the Bay, the Pinnacle@Duxton benefited the participants. Before and economic issues.

10 Jul - sep 2014 Issue 51 Conversations

Venturing into the the study visit, he had wondered to share Singapore’s development are tailored to the interests and heart of Singapore to study the development what China could learn from experiences with our friends needs of our foreign counterparts, of the Marina Bay area. Singapore given the differences in around the world. Its philosophy and cover a broad spectrum of land and population size between follows Singapore’s developmental topics such as urban development, both countries. As the visit experience that investment in economic planning and investment progressed, he came to realise people and capacity-building are promotion, good governance and that Singapore and China shared key to managing the complex public administration, sustainable similar urban challenges such as challenges of our world today. The development and environmental the need to manage high-density SCP programmes and study visits management. cities that are undergoing rapid development. Deputy leader Mr Liu also agreed that Chinese cities could emulate some of the strategies and considerations that underlined our policies in urban planning and development. The study visit was conducted under the auspices of the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP). The SCP was established in 1992

URA led a discussion on conservation development through an experiential boat ride on the Singapore River.

Experience Singapore 11