TR EMERITUS

By Damon Yeo, Business Correspondent

I wasn’t there at the Kallang National Stadium on 30 June 2007, when a grand “farewell” party was held for the beloved stadium. I can imagine that it was probably quite a night for the 45,000 paying attendees. It was day of festivities for those who bothered to turn up for the entire event.

It opened with a friendly between ex-internationals from Singapore and Malaysia, followed by an international friendly between a star-studded Australian national side and our national team. Minutes after game, a spectacular display of fireworks brightened the night sky as local singer Kit Chan gave an emotional rendition of “Live Our Dreams” (read article here)

It must have been the most fitting of farewells for our Kallang National Stadium, everything as described was probably pitch-perfect, except for one thing. The “farewell” wasn’t really a “farewell”.

Nearly 800 days after that night in June 2007, the Kallang National Stadium is still standing as it was. No construction had begun and there were no signs that it is about to begin any time soon.

In fact, the National Stadium had hosted no less than eight international matches for the Singapore national football team since, the last one as recent as 12 Aug 2009.

In an undated article shelved inside the Singapore Sports Council’s (SSC) online archive, (read article here)  it was stated that construction on new Kallang Sports Hub was initially scheduled to begin by February 2008. Singaporeans were promised a brand-new 55,000-capacity National Stadium, together with an indoor Aquatic Center and a multi-purpose arena and a new Water Sports Centre, all by mid-2011.

Suffice to say, that timetable is no longer anywhere near achievable. What is unacceptable  is the lack of disclosure from the authorities on what went wrong and an updated schedule as to this new Sports Hub can be completed.

In October last year, sources first revealed to the Straits Times that the new completion date was going to be pushed back to 2012.

Earlier in February this year, the Government was cornered into answering questions on the delays in the Parliament. Minister of State Ms Yu-Foo replied that the project had ran into financial difficulties, but provided no further details and no further disclosure on the amounts of losses already incurred. (read report here)

This is an area where a lot questions can and should be raised. How can a Government-backed project run into “financial difficulties” as described? Is it because the Government had been prudent on spending in a recession? Why can’t the public know the truth here? This project cannot be described as one of “national security”, so surely the lack of information here must indicate a pre-emptive action to prevent further embarrassment.

Oddly enough, in May 2007, Singapore won the right to host the Singapore F1 Grand Prix. The government had committed to pay $90million every year to bring F1 to our shores. Is this is anyway connected to the delay in Sports Hub project? (read report here)

Furthermore, the Government refused to get new deadlines on the project. Great, the people in charge of the project don’t even know when or if the project will be completed.

Worse news was delivered in late August, when it was first revealed that Singapore may forgo the hosting of the 2013 SEA Games due to the delays in the new Sports Hub. (read article here)

SEA Games are usually held in the second half of the calendar year, indicating the new Sports Hub, if ever completed, will be more than at least two whole years behind schedule. For the record, we last hosted the SEA Games in 1993.

In July this year, Japan won the right to host the IRB Rugby World Cup in 20196. As part of the bid, Japanese organising committee will give Hong Kong and Singapore the chance to host some of Group Stage matches to promote the sport across the region. (read article here) Yes, this event is ten years from now, but let’s hope that by then, Singapore will indeed have a new National Stadium that is worthy of playing host to an event at the world stage. Fingers crossed.

Other articles by Damon Yeo:

>> DBS and a series of ‘unfortunate events’

>>  Sale of Chartered – An anatomy

About the Author:

Damon is a proud graduate of Nanyang Technological University in 2004 with a degree in Accountancy. He is currently working in the finance department of a UK Bank. He is also a regular contributor at redsports.sg.

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