Schools competitions will benefit from Sports Hub as venue

Schools competitions will benefit from Sports Hub as venue

I agree that the magnificent stadium and other sports facilities at the Sports Hub should be put to better use to inspire our student athletes ("Inspire our kids, let them compete at the Sports Hub"; July 28).

It would be a waste if such a world-class facility is left unused while the national schools competitions are held elsewhere.

This year's National Primary and Secondary Schools track and field competitions in April, for instance, could have benefited from being held at the Sports Hub.

As April is traditionally a rainy period, there were thunderstorms on many afternoons during the competition period that disrupted the race schedule.

Many competitors, officials, parents and supporters were left frustrated as they waited for the lightning alert to go off before the competition could resume.

Many races had to be postponed to another day, including some on the grand final day at Choa Chu Kang Stadium. After a three-hour wait, the final few relays were postponed to two days later at a different location.

It was such a pity as the stadium was packed with supporters waiting for their school to be crowned divisional champions, but the award was given out two days later in front of a paper-thin crowd, in a separate location.

It would have been a fitting tribute to the athletes who had trained hard the whole year, to be cheered by their schoolmates while battling on the track or standing on the podium.

I understand that the Sports Hub is a commercial entity, but it would be great if the Government could step in and negotiate a nominal fee for the facilities for school competitions to help promote sports among the young.

Liau Kah Han


This article was first published on Aug 17, 2015.
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