[h=1]IF THE PROFIT-DRIVEN SPORTS HUB CONTINUES WHAT THEY ARE DOING, MANY SINGAPOREANS WILL GET FED UP[/h]
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25 Oct 2014 - 1:07pm
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Since our new National Stadium opened, the focus seems to have been on its sandy pitch and what an embarrassment it has become for Singapore. (“Improve stadium pitch to bring back the Kallang Roar”; Oct 24)
Not enough attention, though, has been given to the manner in which commercial priorities appear to have taken precedence over the arena’s primary purpose.
In line with our Government’s intention to market Singapore as a world-class leisure and lifestyle destination, the National Stadium will host a full calendar of international sporting events and concerts.
SportsHub Private Limited (SHPL), like any corporation, created a multipurpose venue motivated by profit alone. Even the security personnel seem more concerned about preventing food being brought into the stadium than searching for dangerous items during events.
Obviously, the management is working with vendors to maximise sales of their food and drinks. Developing local sporting talent and a high-quality turf is not high on SHPL’s agenda.
With Singapore set to co-host the 2014 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup commencing next month, should not our national team at least play and train on the field?
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I fondly remember the old Kallang stadium, where I grew up watching Malaysia Cup games.
Football was the ultimate social leveller in Singapore, with white- and blue-collar fans cheering on the Lions in unison.
Having attended the last two matches at the new stadium, I saw a brigade of well-heeled but, for the most part, emotionally detached expatriate and local spectators who went to soak up the atmosphere.
With tickets for the Japan-Brazil game selling for up to S$180, many ordinary Singaporeans were priced out of the event. I hope prices for the Suzuki Cup and Malaysian Super League, if the latter is shifted to the Sports Hub, will be affordable.
If the management continues to operate this venue like a playground for the rich, there will be a backlash from the masses. Interest in local football would decline together with the fortunes of our national team.
Can we afford to let our latest national treasure become another tourist attraction similar to Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands, where only wealthy foreigners and Singaporeans can enjoy events?
Edmund Khoo
*Article first appeared on TodayOnline Forums (25 Oct 2014)
<!-- /.block --> <style>.node-article .field-name-link-line-above-tags{float: right;}.node-article .field-name-ad-box-in-article {float: left;margin: 15px 15px 10px 0;}.node-article .field-tags{clear: both;}</style> Post date:
25 Oct 2014 - 1:07pm
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Since our new National Stadium opened, the focus seems to have been on its sandy pitch and what an embarrassment it has become for Singapore. (“Improve stadium pitch to bring back the Kallang Roar”; Oct 24)
Not enough attention, though, has been given to the manner in which commercial priorities appear to have taken precedence over the arena’s primary purpose.
In line with our Government’s intention to market Singapore as a world-class leisure and lifestyle destination, the National Stadium will host a full calendar of international sporting events and concerts.
SportsHub Private Limited (SHPL), like any corporation, created a multipurpose venue motivated by profit alone. Even the security personnel seem more concerned about preventing food being brought into the stadium than searching for dangerous items during events.
Obviously, the management is working with vendors to maximise sales of their food and drinks. Developing local sporting talent and a high-quality turf is not high on SHPL’s agenda.
With Singapore set to co-host the 2014 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup commencing next month, should not our national team at least play and train on the field?
<ins id="aswift_1_expand" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: currentColor; width: 336px; height: 280px; display: inline-table; visibility: visible; position: relative; background-color: transparent; border-image: none;"><ins id="aswift_1_anchor" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: currentColor; width: 336px; height: 280px; display: block; visibility: visible; position: relative; background-color: transparent; border-image: none;"><iframe name="aswift_1" width="336" height="280" id="aswift_1" frameBorder="0" marginWidth="0" marginHeight="0" scrolling="no" vspace="0" hspace="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="left: 0px; top: 0px; position: absolute;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe></ins></ins>
I fondly remember the old Kallang stadium, where I grew up watching Malaysia Cup games.
Football was the ultimate social leveller in Singapore, with white- and blue-collar fans cheering on the Lions in unison.
Having attended the last two matches at the new stadium, I saw a brigade of well-heeled but, for the most part, emotionally detached expatriate and local spectators who went to soak up the atmosphere.
With tickets for the Japan-Brazil game selling for up to S$180, many ordinary Singaporeans were priced out of the event. I hope prices for the Suzuki Cup and Malaysian Super League, if the latter is shifted to the Sports Hub, will be affordable.
If the management continues to operate this venue like a playground for the rich, there will be a backlash from the masses. Interest in local football would decline together with the fortunes of our national team.
Can we afford to let our latest national treasure become another tourist attraction similar to Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands, where only wealthy foreigners and Singaporeans can enjoy events?
Edmund Khoo
*Article first appeared on TodayOnline Forums (25 Oct 2014)
