WEEKLY ROUND-UP: Sports happenings in Singapore (5-11 Jul)

SINGAPORE — Here is a round-up of sports events and developments in Singapore in the past week (5 to 11 July):

Four more para-athletes get nod for Tokyo Paralympics

The Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) has selected para-powerlifter Nur’Aini Mohamad Yasli and equestrian athletes Laurentia Tan, Gemma Foo and Maximillian Tan to join its contingent for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. This bring to number of Singaporean participants to 10 for the 24 August to 5 September Tokyo Paralympics.

Nur'Aini will become the first Singapore Paralympian to take part in para-powerlifting, while for 2008 gold medallist Laurentia Tan, it will be her fourth Games together with para-swimmer Yip Pin Xiu. It will also be the third time that she, Foo and Maximillian Tan will participate in the para-dressage team event.

Singapore's Paralympians will be featuring in six para-sports so far: archery, athletics, cycling, equestrian, powerlifting and swimming. Selection for the Tokyo Paralympics will continue till 30 July.

SPL can admit up to 250 fans per match

Up to 250 fans will be able to attend each Singapore Premier League (SPL) match, when the season resumes on Saturday (17 July).

In order to gain entry, fans will have to produce proof of a negative test result – either of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or an antigen rapid test (ART) – or certification of having received the full two doses of either the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

The PCR test and the ART must be taken within 24 hours prior to the end of the event. Individuals who have been vaccinated will be admitted only if the date of the match falls at least 14 days after their second dose.

Eligible fans will need to purchase a physical ticket at a dedicated booth at each match venue, which will commence operations two hours prior to kick-off. Tickets will be priced at $8 for adults and $5 for concession. However, clubs reserve the right to amend pricing with a maximum price cap of $15 and will also undertake all ticketing operations.

A wrist tag will be issued per ticket-holder at the point of the entry to the match; both will allow the fan access to the venue, starting 60 minutes before kick-off. Fans will be subjected to safe-distancing protocols as well as the usual security protocols at matches, which include bag checks.

SPL fans will still be able to watch every match live on Singtel TV and StarHub TV, as well as online via the SPL Facebook page, YouTube channel and the Facebook page of 1 Play Sports.

AFC Cup Asean Zone cancelled; Lion City Sailors, Geylang miss out

Singapore Premier League clubs Lion City Sailors and Geylang International will not be participating in this year's AFC Cup, following the decision by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to axe the Asean Zone of the cup competition last Wednesday (7 July).

AFC said that this was due to the challenges imposed by the global pandemic in finding a suitable host to stage the centralised matches for the Asean Zone, which comprised three of the tournament’s 10 groups – Groups G, H and I.

This is the second consecutive year in which SPL clubs were unable to take part in the AFC Cup despite qualifying for the competition. In 2020, Tampines Rovers and Hougang United played three games before the entire tournament was canned due to the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Tampines Rovers completed their AFC Champions League group stage matches without a win, after a 0-3 defeat by Thai side Chiangrai United on Saturday (10 July). They finish with six defeats from six matches, scoring once and conceding 26 goals.

GetActive! Singapore campaign celebrates National Day

This year's GetActive! Singapore campaign will be held from 23 July to 8 August at the Singapore Sports Hub, selected ActiveSG sports centres and community spaces. It will offer sports activities in both virtual and physical settings for everyone to play and celebrate Singapore's National Day.

In celebration of Singapore's 56th birthday, the National Day Parade (NDP) committee has called for dance-workout submissions from the public as part of its Dance of the Nation initiative. Selected submissions will be collated and shared across NDP’s social channels, for the community to "participate" virtually and be part of this year's NDP celebrations.

Meanwhile, the Start With 60 (SW60) initiative aims to let Singaporeans kickstart an active lifestyle through 60 seconds of physical activity. Participants can draw from the GetActive !Singapore website resource library which hosts various exercises and sport challenges curated by SportSG's active health coaches.

Participants will perform 60 seconds of physical activity or take on an online challenge, post it, and tag three other friends to continue the initiative. SW60 will also take place physically at various GASG events around the island with booths for event participants to try out different workouts.

The islandwide Pesta Sukan will see individuals and teams compete in over 28 sports, and will continue to promote camaraderie through friendly competitions and encourage future generations to live better through sport.

GetActive! Singapore will also feature a variety of activities under Seniors’ Sports Day, Active Groove, YouthCreates and the Nurture Kids festival to cater for seniors, youths and children respectively. The public can also participate through GameOn Nila, the in-app game within the ActiveSG app.

All participants are encouraged to share memorable sporting memories on social media with the hashtags #GetActiveSG and #PlayOnPlayTogether. More event details can be found here.

SDSC launches LIFE mobile app

The Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) has launched a mobile application, SDSC LIFE, to support persons with disabilities to learn about and participate in para sports.

By entering a profile of their disability and sport interests, persons with disabilities will be matched to information on suitable and attractive sport programmes, events and stories. Registered users can sign up for inclusive sports and wellness programmes and events organised by SDSC and its partners.

Existing para athletes can access additional app modules such as a training tab, which shows athletes upcoming training sessions and competitions, and an analysis of past results and performances. The public can also use the app to register as volunteers for disability sports events and programmes.

Have a sports event to tell our users? Email us at sgnews.tips@verizonmedia.com. In your email, do provide as many details as possible, including videos and photos.