HERE TO
| M a y - J u l 2 0 1 9T H E L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N E F O R S I N G A P O R E S P O R T S H U B
AMP UP THE
ADRENALINETHE PLAYCATION AND MULTI-ACTIVITY CAMP PROGRAMMES PROMISE THRILLS APLENTY!
BOYBAND
ALERT!GIGS BY WESTLIFE, 5566 AND
THE BACKSTREET BOYS
THROUGH THE AGES
A NEW HERITAGE TRAIL CELEBRATES KALLANG’S PAST
GOING FOR GOALON THE BALL &
FANS BRACE THEMSELVES FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP!
CONTENTS02 FEATURE
Fans get loud in the run-up to the International Champions Cup
06 SCENE & HEARD The legendary Pesta Sukan sports festival revived!
08 SHOW & TELL Westlife, 5566, the Backstreet Boys ‘live’ and more!
12 POWER PROGRAMMES A fun-packed activity camp for children at Sports Hub
13 EXPERIENCE SPORTS Celebrate the joys of group play
14 IN THE SPOTLIGHT A new heritage trail that puts the focus on Kallang’s rich past
15 MAKING WAVES Performance footwear for
raising your running game
16 THE FINISHING LINE Meet a participant of the Flex
Revolution workout programme
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THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB
EDITORIAL ADVISERS Liliane Lye
Shane ChuaNuraini Rosman
PUBLISHING CONSULTANT
Mediacorp Pte Ltd
HERE TO PLAY is a quarterly publication by the Singapore Sports Hub.
For more information email us at [email protected]
Copyright ©2019 Singapore Sports HubAll rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means. All information is accurate as of time of publishing.
MCI (P) 120/03/2019
SET TO SCORE!There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that football is the most popular game in the world today. Now take the planet’s biggest football clubs, pitch them against each other and invite their legions of screaming fans into one world-class arena for a weekend. That’s exactly the prospect on offer at the Singapore leg of the International Champions Cup to be held at the National Stadium in July. In this issue, we present the low-down on what to expect, while our cover story (pages 2-5) features die-hard aficionados of the participating teams — Manchester United, Inter, Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus — on their love of the game. Elsewhere in our pages, we highlight other exciting programmes and activities that Sports Hub has organised during the mid-year season. Foremost among these is the revival of the beloved Pesta Sukan sports festival (pages 6-7) in line with Singapore’s bicentennial celebrations. Other highlights include the Playcation (page 13) and Multi-Activity Camp (page 12). And showcasing the Kallang area’s historic side is a new heritage trail (page 14) that celebrates its sporting and cultural highlights over the years. With all these and more in store — including top-draw concerts by Westlife, 5566 and the Backstreet Boys — it’s easy to see that Sports Hub is the obvious pick for a fun destination in the months ahead. Time to play!
Team Sports Hub
HERE TO
FOR THE LATEST UPDATES, VISIT WWW.HERETOPLAY.COM.SG
EDITOR’S NOTE
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to Manchester United”. “The food, the weather, the people… they’re all great,” he said.
A REMATCH TO WATCHFor Ms Farah and her husband Mr Ignatius Kaltz, 49, a diehard Spurs supporter, the match to look forward to is on the second night, when their favourite teams will face-off. Fans of both teams will know this game is a must-watch, since it’s
basically a rematch of last season’s Champions League
showdown. Spurs will be undoubtedly looking to
get back at the side that defeated them in the round-of-16. With no shortage of
world-class players on each team, both the seasoned
competitors from Turin and the current ICC
incumbents are set to serve up a top-quality battle.
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WORLD-CLASS FOOTBALL ACTION KICKS OFF AT THE SPORTS HUB THIS JULY, WHEN THE 2019 INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP SINGAPORE PRESENTED BY AIA ROLLS INTO TOWN.
FEATURE
Football Frenzyor a football fan, the experience is completely different today,” says
Ms Farah Bagharib-Kaltz, comparing how soccer aficionados experience the beautiful game today versus some three decades ago, when she first got into it. Back then, she recalls that she would race to catch snippets of her favourite team — Italian Serie A side Juventus — during TV highlights on Saturday morning.
Fast forward to the present and, Ms Farah, 38, is in a position to get up close to her idols yet again, as she prepares to join thousands of other fans to watch the black-and-white striped stars show off their fancy footwork on our sunny shores. That’s because Juventus is one of four teams that will be turning up the action at the 2019 International Champions Cup Singapore presented by AIA. Singapore hosts the competition for the third time this year, with a kick-off on 20 July between English giants Manchester United and Italian heavyweights Inter, while ‘Juve’ itself
takes on London club — and last year’s champions — Tottenham Hotspur the next day.
These two matches are poised to be the biggest football games to watch at the National Stadium this year. The weekend of football in Singapore is part of the global lineup of International Champions
Cup matches taking place across North America, Europe and Asia. The annual tournament — which also includes teams such as Spain’s Real Madrid and Barcelona as well as English Premier League heroes Arsenal — will conclude in August in Stockholm, Sweden.
While the final squad line-ups have not been firmed up, fans can look forward to seeing top players showing off their fancy footwork. As former Spurs/Man U star-turned-football ambassador Teddy Sheringham — who was in town recently to promote the matches — put it, “There is nothing like seeing the teams in the flesh. And with no distraction of other big tournaments (in Europe), hopefully all the big players will be on show for our Asian fans.” Dwight Yorke, a fellow Red Devils’ legend (and Sheringham’s one-time team-mate), added that the team is looking forward to returning to Singapore, calling the island “a fantastic host
F
BY THEIR SIDE Four decades is a long time to support a football club but as Here to Play discovered, Spurs superfan Ignatius Kaltz isn’t looking back any time soon. The 49-year-old retiree shares more about his love for the eight-time FA Cup champions.
What attracted you to Spurs?Back when I was seven years old, I caught a glimpse of the Spurs jersey. I can’t remember if it was on TV or in the newspaper, but the jersey made me curious about the club and I haven’t looked back since.
How has the team evolved in the four decades since?It has become a lot steadier — their gameplay is tighter and their profile has been raised. There has definitely been a lot of growth, which has been a joy to watch.
Who’s your favourite all-time Spurs player and why?Without a doubt, Paul Gascoigne, aka Gazza. I think any other Spurs fan would agree — that man was magnificent in his day.
CIAO, SINGAPORE!Unfamiliar with the Serie A and its uniquely Italian brand of football? Fret not. Mr Iskandar Shah, who fell in love with Juventus in the early 1990s, says that watching the Italians play football is a “rich” experience. “There’s a lot of quality playing to applaud,” he tells Here to Play. “Especially in the defence, which makes for a very exciting game.” The excitement of the game probably explains Ms Farah Bagharib-Kaltz’s — a fellow Juventus super fan — annual trips to Europe to watch Juventus live. On her most recent trip, she watched five Juventus matches, including one with arch-rivals AC Milan. She believes that the South Curve (as Juventus fans at stadiums are affectionately called) will bring with them their signature brand of loud — but respectful — cheering and boisterous renditions of Italian cheers. “So if you really want to soak in the atmosphere,” she advises, “get tickets in the Juventus sector. And come prepared to chant and sing along!”
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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
MANCHESTER UNITED
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ABOVE: Young fans facing off at FIFA 17 on Xbox One, at a gaming station within the Sports Hub Library
RIGHT: Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo
Harry Kane
Real-life husband-and-wife pair Ignatius and Farah will find themselves in opposite camps on Day 2’s match
Inter supporter Franceso Vespasiano takes on Red Devils fans Kenzo Prasad,10, and Desmond Sim in a game of table soccer
Iskandar and Farah are joined here by young Juve fan Ronan Connolly, 10
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But Mr Kaltz insists that emotions won’t be running as high this time. “It’s a friendly, so what I’m looking forward to seeing are new faces and some novel gameplay,” he says. The former is especially important for Spurs fans, who are eager to see how the team’s success this decade can be carried on by future players.
FIVE YEARS ON, AN ENCOUNTER TO EXPERIENCEFor fans like radio presenter Mr Joakim Gomez, it’s the match between Manchester
United and Inter that will be the ultimate nail-biter. This marks the first time that the two clubs are meeting since 2014, when
they went all the way to penalties. Ultimately, it was the Red Devils that claimed victory, 5-3. Question is, five years on, will they be able to retain their edge? To Mr Gomez, the match is a chance for the Red Devils to relive their former glory after a rough patch. “It’s painful lah,” he said referring to the club’s recent underperformance. “But I believe the good days
My favourite player is Javier Zanetti.
He embodied Inter’s values of passion, family, respect, honour and loyalty. FORZA INTER! Francesco Vespasiani
FEATURE
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MAKING THE SPORTS HUB “OLD TRAFFORD FOR A NIGHT”
will come back again. I still love the club.” And to the 31-year-old, there’s no better place to revisit these good days than at the Sports Hub on 20 July. “I hope we’ll see a rebuilt and united squad under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, the club’s new manager,” he adds, his trademark optimism shining through.
It’s an optimism that Mr Francesco Vespasiani shares for his own team. The 29-year-old has love for Inter running through his veins — as he quips, three generations of his family have been loyal Inter supporters. “There’s something about their gameplay that is just magical and I think we’ll be treated to that in Singapore,” shares the restaurant manager.
DID YOU KNOW?Fun facts about your favourite football teams:
Manchester United is the most successful English football team, having won all competitive club trophies.
Inter is the only Italian club to have never been relegated from the Serie A.
Juventus was founded in 1897 by a group of Torinese students.
Tottenham Hotspur was the International Champions Cup champions in 2018.
RED DEVIL IN THE RED DOT? COUNT HIM IN Frenzied Manchester United Fan Desmond Sim shares his journey with the club. The 45-year-old research analyst takes ‘superfan’ to a whole other level, since he has a tattoo of a literal Red Devil on his shoulder.
I fell in love with Manchester United when… I was a kid. My brother, who is three years older, influenced me and after I saw them win the FA Cup against Everton in 1985, I haven’t looked back. In fact, I attended university in Manchester largely so I could attend matches regularly — but don’t tell my mum!
The best Manchester United moment was… Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s last-minute winner against Bayern Munich to win the treble in 1999.
The one Manchester United song to know before a match… Should be ‘Pride of all Europe’ as a true Man U fan. But the easiest would be ‘Glory Glory, Man United’.
INTER IN HIS BLOOD“What Inter means to me? That’s simple… it’s a passion, family, respect, honour, loyalty. As one of the founding
members of the Inter fan club in Singapore, I try to share these values with my fellow fans. Any Inter fan is
a brother or sister. It’s a tradition that I am proud of, since Inter was the first club to accept all players, regardless of race or religion in the early 1900s.
Two years ago, we lifted the International Champions Cup in Singapore and I hope we do that again this year. Why will we do that? Because when you wear the Inter
jersey, you respect everyone but fear no one.”
Manchester United’s Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku
Inter’s Miranda carrying the ICC trophy following his club’s win over Chelsea in 2017
Kenzo and Desmond trading kicks
When he’s not entertaining listeners of 987FM’s Shock Circuit, radio presenter Joakim Gomez is likely to be decked out in a Manchester United jersey. After all, he has been a fan for nearly 25 years, and counting. “I fell in love with Manchester United back in 1995 once I was old enough to understand what football is,” he shares with a laugh. “I was in awe whenever I watched Eric Cantona play,” he says referring to the iconic Frenchman, whose move to United in the 1990s set in motion a huge revival in the club’s fortunes, and a stature they enjoy all the way to the present. It should come as no surprise then, that he has watched the Red Devils play many times — and around the world, at that: first as a wide-eyed 16-year-old at the National
Stadium and then several times in the UK in the past three years. With all these matches under his belt, you could just about call him a professional United fan. So take it from the ‘pro’ that first-time watchers of Manchester United will almost immediately feel at home when in the sea of red (“Just don’t wear light
blue,” he quips, referring to the team’s away kit). “I’m sure our Singaporean Red Devils family will do our best to make fans feel welcome and with the noise we’ll make at the Sports Hub, I hope
we’ll turn it into Old Trafford (the
team’s iconic homeground)
for a night.”
Lautaro Martínez
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HOW TO PARTICIPATE? Visit getactive.sg to register for the events above, or simply to find out more about what else is in store for Pesta Sukan at GetActive! Singapore 2019.
Back, and Better Than BeforeMEET LIKE-MINDED SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS AND SWEAT IT OUT WITH FELLOW SINGAPOREANS AT PESTA SUKAN, SINGAPORE’S ICONIC SPORTS FESTIVAL WHICH IS BACK FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE 1970s.
FORTUNATELY FOR THE MILLENNIALS and Gen Z folks, Pesta Sukan (or ‘sports festival’ in Malay) will soon no longer just be a fond memory of our parents and grandparents. This year, GetActive! Singapore is bringing back the well-loved festival from 1-10 August in commemoration of Singapore’s Bicentennial and our sporting heritage.
While Pesta Sukan originally featured events like mass jogging, cycling and dragon boating when it first launched in 1964, it will now be given a modern update
to include up to 24 different sports. Among these, aquatics, badminton, dragon boating, fencing and indoor volleyball will be held at the Singapore Sports Hub. For those looking for family-friendly fun, non-competitive mass events such as a round-island bike adventure, Canoe Discovery and Adventure Race @ Sentosa have also been planned as integral parts of the festival.
Most importantly, GetActive! Singapore will continue to drill through themes of care and giving by encouraging Singaporeans to organise inclusive
activities and raise funds through sporting activities. The festival targets to achieve 500,000 acts of care — which can be any helpful act such as volunteer work, donation or simply a nudge to get others to live healthier lives — in the lead-up and during the period of Pesta Sukan.
BLAST FROM THE PASTThe inaugural edition of Pesta Sukan in 1964 was launched by then-Minister for Culture S Rajaratnam.
After Singapore gained independence on 9 August 1965, the festival was briefly renamed Pesta Sukan
Minggu Merdeka and became an annual feature of the National Day celebrations.
In 1971, the first Asian Wimbledon tournament was organised in conjunction with Pesta Sukan, attracting
top tennis players in the region to Singapore.
TOP PICKSTEAM UP WITH YOUR FRIENDS OR LOVED ONES TO GET YOUR ADRENALINE PUMPING DURING PESTA SUKAN:
Pedal away on a cycling adventure race around Singapore at the Round Island Bike Adventure. This is a 106-km route which will take riders around the whole of Singapore, starting and ending at designated sports centres, as well as the Singapore Sports Hub. Of course, no island adventure would be complete without cheeky station challenges and milestone checks along the journey to keep participants both physically and mentally stimulated!
Enjoy an outdoor escape from the hustle and bustle from city life at Adventure Race @ Sentosa. Think island life with a ‘Spartan’ twist, with obstacle stations designed to test participants’ stamina, endurance, strength and perseverance. Terrain varieties such as sand and jungle will further challenge fitness levels. Participants are welcomed to complete the stations in any preferred sequence, and teams will be awarded according to their finishing times.
If sprints or marathons are up your alley, put your name down for the Stadium Run, a mass run event in which you can challenge yourself to run around the 100PLUS Promenade, Singapore’s largest fully-sheltered, free-to-use civic space that encircles the National Stadium. Runners can either sprint as fast as possible, or test their endurance by seeing how many rounds they can go. There will be also be family-friendly fringe activities for all to take part in during and after the run.
CONCERT
SINCE 5566 LIVE IN SINGAPORE 2019Date 06 July 2019Venue Singapore Indoor StadiumTicket Prices From S$128Don’t miss this comeback concert by iconic Taiwanese boyband 5566. The five group members went their separate ways in 2009 but reunited, much to the delight of fans, in 2016 for an awards show. This reunion tour features three members — Tony Sung, Zax Wang and Jason Hsu — and is 5566’s first performance in Singapore after 17 years.
BACKSTREET BOYS DNA WORLD TOURDate 30 October 2019Venue Singapore Indoor StadiumTicket Prices From S$168The world’s most successful boyband of all time (over 100 million records sold) may have been formed 26 years ago but fans, young and old, are still hungry for its music — Backstreet Boys (BSB)’s latest album DNA debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard chart. This not-to-be-missed concert will feature over 20 years of BSB smash hits.
As a live act, Westlife has sold 5 million concert tickets.
‘Hello My Love’ and ‘Better Man’ Westlife’s first two singles off the
upcoming Spectrum album, were penned by Ed Sheeran, a professed fan of the boyband. Spectrum releases in September this year.
Westlife has had 14 No. 1 singles in the UK, behind only Elvis Presley and
The Beatles.
Westlife is the only group to achieve seven consecutive No. 1 singles in
the UK.
Westlife has sold over 55 million records worldwide.
Westlife has won 92 music awards.
The Twenty Tour is Westlife’s fastest-selling tour with 400,000 tickets sold
in the UK in just 48 hours.
Westlife will broadcast the final UK date of The Twenty Tour live in 600
cinemas across Great Britain.
Did You Know?
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• Westlife was originally signed by music mogul Simon Cowell in the UK in 1998.
• Westlife was formerly called Westside.
• Westlife once had five members but Brian McFadden quit in 2004 to spend more time with his family, as well as concentrate on a solo career.
WESTLIFE THE TWENTY TOURWESTLIFE CELEBRATES TWO DECADES OF MUSIC WITH THE TWENTY TOUR. HERE TO PLAY GIVES YOU EIGHT REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CATCH THE QUARTET IN CONCERT.
Date 10 August 2019 Venue National Stadium Ticket Prices from S$108
EDITOR’S PICK
2019 INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP SINGAPORE PRESENTED BY AIAGET SET FOR THE GLITZIEST FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT IN SINGAPORE!Date 20 and 21 July 2019 Venue National Stadium Ticket Prices from S$38
In its seventh edition, the 2019 International Champions Cup (ICC) features 12 of the best clubs in the world playing 18 matches across the United States, Europe and Asia. Each team will play three matches in the tournament and the club with the most points at the end will win the championship.
The Singapore leg of the 2019 ICC plays host to two matches between four clubs. Among them are some of the world’s top scorers this past season.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus ): Scored 21 goals in Italian Serie A, 6 goals in the UEFA Champions League, and 1 goal in the Supercoppa Italiana.
Mauro Icardi (Inter): Scored 11 in the Italian Serie A, 2 goals in Coppa Italia and 4 goals in the UEFA Champions League.
Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur): Scored 17 goals in the English Premier League, 5 goals in the UEFA Champions League and 1 goal in the English Football League Cup.
Paul Pogba (Manchester United): Scored 13 goals in the English Premier League and 2 goals in the UEFA Champions League.
SPORTS
Mark these dates down on your calendar!
20 July 2019, 7.30pm 21 July 2019, 7.30pm
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FEI YU QING FAREWELL CONCERT ENCORE SHOWDate12 October 2019Venue Singapore Indoor StadiumTicket Prices From S$98
If you had missed Fei Yu Qing’s farewell show in March, this is really your last chance to catch him in concert. The Taiwanese balladeer will be retiring later this year after having spent almost five decades in show business.
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FOR UPDATES ON UPCOMING EVENTS, VISIT WWW.SPORTSHUB.COM.SG
ShowTell&
THE ULTIMATE KAREN MOK SHOWDate 15 June 2019Venue Singapore Indoor StadiumTicket Prices From S$108
Besides starring in over 20 films, multi-talented Hong Kong singer-actress Karen Mok has released more than 30 music albums and was twiced named Best Female Singer at the Golden Melody Awards. This new concert tour marks her 25th year in showbiz.
SINGAPORE BICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATIVE CONCERTDate 30 June 2019Venue Singapore Indoor StadiumTicket Prices From S$48
In this special concert to mark Singapore’s 200 years of history, 30 local Chinese artistes perform evergreen favourites that span across the ages.
TWICE WORLD TOUR 2019 TWICELIGHTDate 13 July 2019Venue Singapore Indoor StadiumTicket Prices From S$168
Having performed at the Singapore Indoor Stadium just a year ago, K-pop sensation Twice returns for another concert spectacle. Be enchanted by all nine members, as they showcase their slick dance moves, infectious music and unique individual personalities on a brand-new stage setup.
MY SONGS 6 Date 27 July 2019Venue Singapore Indoor StadiumTicket Prices From S$88
This trip-down-memory-lane concert features performances by 10 popular ’80s Chinese singers, including Hong Kong legend Lui Fong, who makes a rare appearance at this musical extravaganza. The concert is part of Love 972 radio station’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
THE CHAINSMOKERS LIVE IN SINGAPORE Date 21 August 2019Venue Singapore Indoor StadiumTicket Prices From S$148
Such is their popularity that The Chainsmokers have three songs with over one billion streams on Spotify — only Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber have done better, with four songs each in this exclusive club. The Singapore Indoor Stadium show is the chart-topping duo’s debut solo arena show, having last performed at the F1 Singapore Grand Prix in 2017.
SHAWN MENDES: THE TOURDate 4 October 2019Venue Singapore Indoor StadiumTicket Prices From S$88 (SOLD OUT)
Shawn Mendes may be only 20 years old but the Canadian heartthrob has completed two sold-out world tours, with over one million tickets sold. This new show is part of his third solo world tour, which spans over 100 dates throughout 2019.
RONGHAO LI “IF I WERE YOUNG” WORLD TOUR CONCERT Date 19 October 2019Venue Singapore Indoor StadiumTicket Prices From S$25
Mandopop’s shining star Li Ronghao returns to Singapore for his second show here. As the If I Were Young concert’s chief planner and one of its directors, Li is personally involved in every aspect of the show, from poster visuals and the setlist to the stage design and effects.
WALKING WITH DINOSAURS — THE LIVE EXPERIENCEDate 29 August to 5 September 2019Venue Singapore Indoor StadiumTicket Prices From S$78
Go back 65 million years in time, as 18 life-sized dinosaurs take over the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Seen by over nine million people in more than 250 cities around the world, this dazzling $20 million production is a must-experience live show for all ages.
WWE LIVE IN SINGAPOREDate 27 June 2019Venue National StadiumTicket Prices from S$48
After highly-successful shows in 2015 and 2017, WWE returns to Singapore for more high-octane action. WWE Superstars* scheduled to appear include AJ Styles, Braun Strowman, Seth Rollins, Finn Bálor, Samoa Joe, Alexa Bliss, Natalya and more! * Talent line-up subject to change
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5 DAYS OF FUN!THIS JUNE HOLIDAYS, LET YOUR YOUNG ONES UNLEASH THEIR INNER ATHLETES AT THE SPORTS HUB MULTI-ACTIVITY CAMP.
he verdict is out: the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends more outdoor
play, and less screen time for kids. And there’s no better place to start than at the upcoming Sports Hub Multi-Activity Camp. After all, it’s never too early to get into sports, and if you’re looking for something active for your children to do during this June holidays, the five-day camp presents the perfect activity. Suitable for children aged 3 to 12, it will run in two editions. The first is from 3 to 7 June while the second runs from 10 to 14 June.
As Here to Play found out, the camp isn’t just an extended Physical Education class, but a programme that builds confidence, social skills and, of course, physical fitness and stamina. There are heaps of activities lined up each day for participants. In fact, it’s non-stop movement from
the moment the camp kicks off.The range of sports and activities for kids to have a go at includes health workshops and team-building sessions.
This is where all our future Fandis, Schoolings, Kean Yews and the like will come to shine! From having a dribble on the soccer field to plunging into Sports Hub’s Olympic-sized pool for a splash, it will be hard not to find at least one sport that is right up your child’s alley.
GET THEM OUTSIDE!The WHO recommends that children between the ages of 2 and 4 should not have more than one hour of “sedentary screen time” each day. But limiting screen time isn’t enough — getting children outside for exercise will result in healthier adults, the organisation said.
THE LINE-UP:• Bend it like Beckham during Soccer • See how far you can sling a Frisbee • Learn the martial art of Karate • Get a home run before three strikes
in Baseball • See how many tries you can score
in Rugby
That’s not it! The schedule will also take kids through Dodgeball, Basketball, Karate, Swimming, Kickball, Floorball, Tennis and Athletics. If you’re interested in having a sporty, fulfilling time for your children during the school break, sign them up at sportshub.com.sg/camp.
Sports Hub Multi-Activity Camp Visit www.sportshub.com.sg/camp for more information.
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EXCITING, ENTERTAINING AND ENGAGING! SPORTS HUB’S PLAYCATION PROGRAMME PROMISES FAMILIES, CORPORATES AND THE YOUNG ONES EXCEPTIONAL FUN.
LET’S PLAY TOGETHER!
e have all heard of vacations and staycations — but what if you would like to tailor your
leisure plans around heart-pumping activities and get tips and skills, as well as a chance to bond with others? The answer is simple: you go on a Playcation!
Singapore Sports Hub’s signature programme lets you customise a range of fun and engaging activities to meet different objectives and preferences. Whether it is your child’s birthday bash, a company team-building retreat or even your school’s sports day, there is something for everyone! Programmes range from two-hour sessions to multi-
GET READY TO PLAY TODAY! Speak to us at [email protected] and let us help you create your ultimate adventure! Find out more at www.sportshub.com.sg/Playcation
day affairs, and include lifestyle-wellness workshops, mind and body programmes, sporting and tness routines and more. Food and beverages can be arranged as well.
TAILOR-MADE THRILLSCentral to the programme’s proposition is that everyone has unique party needs. In true bespoke fashion, there’s no one-size- ts-all solution here. Instead, we pay attention to the requirements of different age groups.
The Junior Playcation programme for those aged 7 to 18 is packed with activities for children and teens, whether they are into physical exercise,
artistic and creative expression or even multi-sports-based play. It’s a great chance for young ones to nd their feet, discover new activities and make lots of friends.
The Family Playcation programme offers plenty of opportunities for you to create magical memories with your loved ones. Connect over conversations, get active and even solve challenges together!
Lastly, if you’re looking to plan a company retreat or bonding session, opt for the Corporate Playcation programme, which offers a host of activities to help you meet your objectives.
What are you waiting for? Gather your family, friends and colleagues, and sign up for Playcation today with Team Experience Sports at the Singapore Sports Hub!
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DISCOVER THESE AND MORE AT THE UNIQUE WALKING TRAIL THAT CELEBRATES KALLANG’S VIBRANT HISTORY.
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Merdeka Lions Are Here!
THERE’S NO BETTER TIME than the present to plan an outing to the Singapore Sports Hub, now that its latest attraction is open to the public. Launched on 12 May, The Kallang Story: A Sports, Arts and Heritage Trail is an educational walking trail that showcases the rich history of Kallang, as well as local sporting and artistic achievements. It is a community project supported by the National Heritage Board in partnership with Sport Singapore and Republic Polytechnic, and forms part of the year-long Singapore Bicentennial celebrations.
Spanning three kilometres, the trail consists of 18 markers placed throughout the Singapore Sports Hub, with artefacts and artworks bringing the Kallang story to life. Prominent landmarks in the area will also evoke memories of the neighbourhood.
“There is a treasure trove of stories at Kallang,” said Mr Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and the Ministry of Transport,
who was Guest-of-Honour at the launch event. “I encourage everyone to come explore the area with family and friends, relive old memories, and reflect on our Singapore Story.”
HOME OF SPORTS Kallang has provided the backdrop for our nation’s greatest sporting moments. Follow the trail to discover little-known trivia about the various landmarks at the Singapore Sports Hub, and be inspired by the feats of Singapore’s sporting heroes and heroines.
ARTISTIC LICENCE Look out for specially-commissioned sculptures that have been installed along the trail. These include the iconic Merdeka Lions (replicas of the original), placed at the Stadium Roar; Dream, unveiled by tennis legend Billie Jean King in 2018 to commemorate the legacy of WTA Finals Singapore and placed outside Singapore Indoor Stadium; and the Re:Bench series of 14 uniquely-designed benches, made from the timber seats in the former
National Stadium and placed around the Singapore Sports Hub.
BYGONE DAYS Take a walk down memory lane and learn about Kallang’s physical transformation over the centuries. For example, reminisce about the old Oasis Theatre Restaurant Niteclub & Cabaret at The Waterfront Trail; find out where Singapore’s first civil international airport was located near The Stadium Trail; and walk past the old National Stadium cauldron along The Park Trail.
WHERE TO START • Pick up a self-guided tour map of the
trail at the Sports Hub Visitors Centre at OCBC Square.
• Complete the entire 3km route OR choose between three smaller walking trails:
1. The Waterfront Trail (which faces the Kallang Basin)
2. The Stadium Trail (on the second level of the National Stadium)
3. The Park Trail (which ventures into the former grounds of Kallang Park)
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making waves
RUN WITH EASE AND COMFORT WITH THESE THREE NEW BALANCE KICKS AVAILABLE AT KALLANG WAVE MALL.
The New Balance Experience Store is located at #01-79 Kallang Wave Mall. Opens daily from 11am to 9.30pm.
LL.
Speed From The Ground Up
NEW BALANCE HAS LONG BEEN the go-to brand for footwear and sporting apparel designed to enhance an athlete’s performance. Its Experience Store at Kallang Wave Mall stays true to the brand’s 110-year heritage, while keeping up with the latest fashion trends to cater to style-conscious consumers.
Visitors to the store will appreciate all the latest technological innovations that it comes equipped with. A standout feature is the 3D foot scanner, which captures foot sizes in seconds. The image is then used to determine the best- tting piece of New Balance footwear for the consumer. Cool, huh?
HEY SNEAKERHEADS!Pop by the store and pick up a pair of these latest models to ful l your running needs:
GO NATURAL The Fresh Foam More ($199) combines a lower offset with plush Fresh Foam cushioning. The result: a more natural-feeling t that ensures premium comfort while running. It features a soft double Jacquard mesh upper to provide structure, a slab of Fresh Foam with laser-engraved impact-relieving holes to cushion impact, as well as ex grooves below the sockliner to enable exibility in movement.
GET SERIOUSThe 890v7 ($189) is a must-have trainer for serious runners. Featuring a responsive signature REVlite midsole and a gusseted tongue for snug midfoot t, these fuss-free, lightweight shoes are perfect as daily trainers or for a dedicated workout session. The shoe’s minimalist yet sleek design includes a knit upper for breathability.
OPT FOR COMFORTComfort and style go hand-in-hand in the Fresh Foam Roav ($149) men’s shoe. Featuring a breathable mesh upper atopan ultra-heel construction for seamless comfort, this model is perfect for your active lifestyle. Its modern, stylish silhouette also guarantees that you can keep it on even after a workout. 15
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The Finishing Line
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A NEW WORKOUT PROGRAMME IS HELPING YOUNG ADULTS LIKE ALEANDRE KWAN GET FIT AND ALSO MEET PEERS WITH SIMILAR INTERESTS.
FITTING CONNECTIONS
Photo
by Al
vin Te
o
ecoming fitter had long been a goal of Aleandre Kwan’s, but what she needed was the proverbial kick up the backside.
“I had signed up for gym memberships before, but seldom went to the gym because I got bored easily. I wasn’t motivated to work out on my own,” says the 30-year-old. That all changed early this year, when a newspaper article about Singapore Sports Hub’s new workout programme, Flex Revolution, caught her eye.
Flex Revolution takes a distinctive, team-based approach to workouts. Participants are split up into pairs or small groups for the duration of the session, and opportunities for interaction are built into the exercise routines. Whether performing back-to-back medicine ball passes,
tapping a partner’s hand in between push-ups or simply cheering each other on when completing reps, the participants are usually heard giving encouragement to one another — and as a result, end up making fast friends.
Attracted by the programme’s group setting, Ms Kwan attended her first Flex Fitness class in April. She is now a regular at the twice-weekly sessions at the National Stadium. “Right off the bat, there was no awkwardness, even though I didn’t know anyone else at first,” she says. “I look forward to seeing both new and familiar faces at the classes. We can track each other’s progress and push each other. It’s a good way to meet like-minded people who are also looking to jumpstart their physical fitness.”
ALEANDRE KWAN
is a regular face at the Flex Fitness classes. She is also keen to sign
up for the Flex Pulse dragon boating
sessions.
JOIN THE REVOLUTION!Flex Revolution consists of three components: Flex Fitness (which combines high-intensity interval training and functional movements); Flex Pulse (dragon boating); and Flex Altitude (rock climbing). Depending on your preference, you can sign up for one or all three components. The first season of Flex Revolution has just ended, and the next one will resume in August. Stay tuned for more information at www.sportshub.com.sg/FlexRev.
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