NDR 2024: Singapore Sports School to move to Kallang Alive precinct as part of master plan

SINGAPORE: Two decades after it first opened its doors, the Singapore Sports School will move its campus from Woodlands to Kallang as part of the Kallang Alive Masterplan.
Speaking in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday (Aug 18), Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said this will allow student athletes to study and train together with senior athletes.
The school was officially opened in April 2004, and notable alumnus include badminton player Loh Kean Yew and sprint queen Shanti Pereira.
Calling Kallang the new “home” for Team Singapore, he also revealed plans for new sports science and sports medicine facilities, and for national training centres for several “key sports” to be integrated at Kallang and to site them under one roof for “better synergies”.
Elaborating on the announcement earlier this year that the Singapore Indoor Stadium will be replaced by a new arena, Mr Wong revealed that this facility will have a bigger capacity of 18,000.
“We can host more top-tier events here. Our athletes can compete on home ground and Singaporeans will have more opportunities to cheer them on,” he added.
In his speech, Mr Wong said that Kallang will be a place for all Singaporeans to enjoy sports.
As part of the plan, the main road that runs through the Sports Hub will be converted into a pedestrianised community boulevard. 
“We will inject sporting facilities and programmes along this stretch for everyone to enjoy,” he added.
“We will make Kallang a new lifestyle destination for people to watch more sporting and entertainment events; take part in sports; and enjoy quality family time together.”
He also emphasised that one does not need to be an elite athlete to enjoy these facilities.
“You may be a weekend player, or a beginner or someone trying to pick up a new sport. Whatever your level, so long as you have an interest in sports, there will be something for you here,” he added.
The Kallang Alive project was first revealed in 2019 as a mixed-use lifestyle destination where Singaporeans can participate in community sports activities and enjoy world-class entertainment and sporting action. 
There were also plans for new developments around the Sports Hub, with Kallang Football Hub and Kallang Tennis Centre opening earlier this year.
The Kallang Tennis Hub is Singapore’s first international tournament-ready indoor tennis facility, while the Kallang Football Hub acts as the National Training Centre for football and the National Development Centre for the Unleash the Roar! Programme.
In 2022, it was announced that SportSG would take over the ownership and management of the Singapore Sports Hub in Kallang, with plans to make it more accessible to the broader community in Singapore.
While the Sports Hub has made the local sports scene “more vibrant” and there were “many happy memories”, Mr Wong recalled having to resolve “several teething issues” during his time at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.
“There is still much more we can do. Now that the government has taken over the Sports Hub, we have the ability to unlock its full potential, and make the whole Kallang area more alive,” he added.
In his speech, Mr Wong also touched on the recently concluded Paris Olympics where a total of 23 athletes across 11 sports represented Singapore. 
The contingent returned home with an Olympic medal – Singapore’s first in eight years – courtesy of kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder. The 17-year-old is the youngest Singaporean to win an Olympic medal.
“We are proud of all our athletes, like Max Maeder. This is his first Olympics. He was up against tough opponents and difficult wind conditions. But on National Day itself, he gave us a wonderful birthday present and delivered a bronze medal for Singapore,” said Mr Wong.
“With his maturity, dedication and skills, I am confident he will have a great future ahead of him.”
At the same time, Mr Wong said sports is “not just about medals”, but also about “grit and determination”, doing one’s best and “pushing the limits”.
“You see that never-say-die spirit in our athletes. Like Shanti Pereira. She’s our fastest ever woman athlete. Unfortunately, she suffered an injury before the Games,” he said.
“But she took it in her stride – and as she put it, ‘this is a part of my journey … it’s going to make me stronger’,” he said.
“And I have no doubt it will. All our athletes fought hard and competed with courage against the best in the world.”
Up next will be the Paralympics which will be held from Aug 28 to Sep 8.
“We are very proud also of our para-athletes who have overcome enormous obstacles to excel in their sports,” said Mr Wong.
Some Team Singapore athletes including Maeder, badminton player Yeo Jia Min, sailor Ryan Lo were invited and present at the rally, which was held at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Headquarters in Ang Mo Kio.
More will be done to strengthen the sporting culture in Singapore, he said.
One way is through the President’s Challenge where the community will be “mobilised” further to work with the government to nurture sports talents, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“I’m glad that more young Singaporeans with the talent in sports are taking it seriously and excelling at the highest levels. Mindsets are changing,” said Mr Wong.
“In the past, parents were not so sure about their children pursuing sports as a career. Now we see more successful role models … More young athletes are taking sports seriously, and training full time, with support from the government.”