SINGAPORE: In 2005, names like Muhammad Ali, Sebastian Coe
and David Beckham visited Singapore for the 117th International
Olympic Committee Session.
Three years later, 100,000 fans heard the roar of 300km/h
engines for the first time, as the SingTel Singapore Grand Prix -
the world's first Formula 1 night race - hurtled along the
spectacular Marina Bay street circuit.
Last year, Singapore organised the first Asian Youth Games, and in
148 days' time, Singapore will welcome an estimated 3,600 athletes
aged 14 to 18 from 205 National Olympic Committees for the
inaugural Youth Olympic Games.
The Republic has also hosted the World Cup short course swimming
series, and the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon has witnessed
record entries.
As a result, Singapore is in the running for the prestigious Sport
Business Ultimate Sports City Award 2010.
The Republic was one of 25 cities shortlisted on Thursday for the
biennial award - first held in 2006 - by London-based Sport
Business Group, the world's leading supplier of information, media
and business-to-business marketing services to the global sports
industry.
The winning city will be announced at the Sport Accord Convention
in Dubai next month.
"All cities are awarded a value according to the events they host
annually, have hosted or will host between 2006 and 2014, as well
as federations in their locale," Rachael Church-Sanders, author of
the Ultimate Sports City report, told MediaCorp in an interview on
Thursday.
"Singapore's score was boosted by events such as the 2010 Youth
Olympics, World Netball Championships and the Formula 1 Grand Prix
...
"(There is) no monetary award, but as Melbourne (our winner in 2006
and 2008) will tell you, the kudos from winning the award has given
them exposure for promotional purposes and attracting future
events."
Singapore is believed to be among the frontrunners to topple
reigning Ultimate Sports City Melbourne - it has won both editions
in 2006 and 2008 - which it pipped in the bid to host next year's
World Netball Championship.
The shortlist was comprised by analysing the locations of over
2,000 sports events and federations globally between 2006 and 2014
and awarding points according to the importance of the event or
federation.
It is the first time Singapore has made the shortlist, and the
Republic is one of five Asian cities - and the only South-east
Asian city - in the mix.
Some of the other shortlisted cities include Moscow, Beijing, 2010
Winter Olympics host Vancouver, Johannesburg, venue of the 2010
World Cup Final, and London, host of the 2012 Olympic Games.
For the award itself, the 25 cities will be judged on criteria
including stadia and venues, transport and infrastructure,
government and public support, legacy, standard of living,
marketing and promotional ability and testimonials of event
personnel.
The Singapore Sports Council (SSC) hailed the development as an
"achievement". "We are truly honoured to be one of the 25 Ultimate
Sports Cities to be shortlisted ..." said SSC chief (sports
marketing group) Kelven Tan.
"To stand alongside some of the world's best sports cities and be
one of only five Asian cities ... is an achievement in itself.
Whatever happens after this is a bonus."
- TODAY