SPORTS HUB

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SPORTS HUB: 9.

Mr Ng Ser Miang asked the Minister for Community Development and Sports (a) what is the progress on the planning and construction of the new sports hub; (b) when is this new sports hub expected to be completed; and (c) when will Singapore host the next South East Asian Games.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, in 2002, my Ministry conducted a feasibility study on the sports hub project, primarily to determine its location, the facilities and capacity that would be required and the estimated project cost.

In 2003, a more in-depth study was conducted to determine the size of the sports hub site and transport accessibility to the site. Besides the infrastructural requirements, it is also critical that there be a sound business model for the sports hub. My Ministry is currently studying the ownership and funding model and looking into the details of the business plan and operational model. We hope to complete the new sports hub by 2009 or 2010.

Hosting of SEA Games is on a rotation basis. Based on the expected completion of the sports hub, the earliest that we can host the SEA Games would be in 2011. The host country for the 2011 SEA Games will only be decided in 2007.

Mr Ng Ser Miang: Sir, I think that the new sports hub was first announced in this House in March 2001. The Minister has just mentioned that it is going to take up to year 2010 to finish the sports hub.

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I think it is probably a very long time. Would the Minister explain why it would take such a long time?

Secondly, Singapore has hosted three SEA Games before, ie, in 1973, 1983 and 1993 when our term was due then. We are now unable to host the 2007 and 2009 Games and maybe we will host in 2011. I think there was some disappointment amongst our other SEA Games countries as well as our local sports fraternity. Could the Minister undertake to try to expedite the completion of the new sports hub so that we can host the Games earlier?

Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, I wish I could expedite the project, but I do not think it is possible because it is a huge project. Our initial estimate shows that the project is exceeding half a billion dollars. So a project of that size, we will need to take time to study, not only in terms of its development, but we have to think what happens after we have developed the site. Give us a bit more time because we have to study this very carefully. The hon. Member, being a former Chairman of SSC, will realise that running sports facilities is indeed a massive exercise that will require good business acumen to ensure that the facilities do not become a drag onto the nation. But having said that, we are confident that we will be able to build the hub in time for at least the 2011 SEA Games. Rather than promising our colleagues that we will be able to host the Games in 2007 or 2009, let us be sure on our part that we have a completed facility which is tested, with a sound business model, before we go ahead.

I would like to assure the Members of the House that we are working vigourously to get the business model and

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the funding formula out. Ultimately, when we have a sports hub, it must continue to contribute to the development of sports in Singapore and not be a drag onto the nation. I would like to assure the Member that we will try our very best. I rather not promise now that we can do it by 2007 or 2009, but give us some buffer so that we can do a proper job.