Sports venues for inaugural Asian Youth Games undergo makeover

By Jan Lin/Red Sports. Pictures by Les Tan/Red Sports.

Bishan Stadium, Thursday, April 30, 2009 - Despite the gloomy economic situation, organisers are pressing ahead with the preparation for the Asian Youth Games (AYG) to leave a lasting legacy for the country.

The Singapore Sports Council (SSC), the co-organiser of the AYG, revealed the first phase of redevelopment for the sports venues at Bishan Stadium in the presence of Teo Ser Luck, the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, and members of the SSC and Singapore 2010 senior management team.

Some 1,100 athletes and 300 officials from 45 countries are anticipated in Singapore for the AYG from June 29th to July 7th, 2009. A total of nine sports with 90 events will take place at nine existing venues across the island, six of which are currently undergoing a facelift to adhere to international standards. It was revealed that the annual sports facilities' budget swelled by 7 times for the entire makeover project.

"Leaving a legacy is extremely important," stressed Mr Teo Ser Luck in response to queries on how much the upgrading will cost. "We made an internal decision not to reveal an absolute figure (of the budget)," clarified Mr Teo, "and this is because the focus is on the sports culture in Singapore and memories for Singaporeans."

Members of the media were taken on a tour around the upgraded Bishan Stadium, which will be home to the athletics events for both the AYG and the 2010 Youth Olympic Games. Floodlights have been upgraded to meet the international broadcast lighting standard, while work is underway to resurface the synthetic running track to meet the standards of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The football field was also recently relaid with Zoysia Matrella grass in a sand-based system that will provide better drainage.

Underpinning this makeover is a strategy to maximize the ´investment returns' of an increased budget that may appear an extravagance in these difficult economic times. Heartland sporting facilities were specifically chosen to house the Games' events so that local residents and the National Sports Associations (NSAs) will be the biggest winners of the makeover even after the conclusion of the Games.

The Other AYG Event Venues:

Swimming – Singapore Sports School
Diving – Toa Payoh Swimming Complex
Bowling – Orchid Country Club
FIBA 33 (3-on-3 Basketball) – Anglican High School
Football – Jalan Besar Stadium
Sailing – National Sailing Centre
Shooting – SAFRA Yishun
Table-Tennis – Toa Payoh Sports Hall
Beach Volleyball – Sentosa