Sunday, October 23, 2011

Problem 3 - RJ for Strategic Sports Development

Question: Reflect and critique on the approach Singapore has adopted for the proposed Sportshub development.


First we identify what is the sports hub main aim. The main aim of the hub is to accelerate the development of sports industry, excellence and participation and to take sports to the next level in Singapore.

Next we identify why there is a need for sports hub. The reason why we have sports hub, it is to boost up our tourism using sports as a form of tourism lure, for commercialization and lastly to promote the idea of sports are for all to play.

How I identify that it is to boost our tourism economic is through the statement that state that sports hub will help in creating a critical mass of international, regional and local sports federations and associations, sports medicine and sports science service providers, sports related training and education service provider. Since the sports hub is located just 15 minutes away from the Singapore Changi International airport it makes travelling easier for those who are in the hurry to head back home after watching or joining the international event. Not just so, the sports hub is located near the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort, Marina Barrage, Singapore Flyer and floating platform at Marina Bay which are the attractions which most tourists and our local Singaporean would go on a weekend and school holiday therefore I strongly believe that our sports hub will be the next attraction around the area.

How I identify that it is a commercialization area is because the sports hub is the largest sports facilities infrastructure which is Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) project in the world. Singapore is intending to allow private sector to join in sponsoring our future generation of athletics will definitely help in term of economic and having more elites in our sports industry. Currently most of our sports are supported by the Singapore Sports Council which in turn gains budget cost from MCYS who is the government body. But usually most of the money for sponsorship do not come from MCYS but comes from Singapore Pools (Toto/4D) – private sector. Therefore to boost up our elites sportsmen, it is best that we have more sponsors from the private sector so that we have more money for proper equipments and training facilities for our athletes.

How I identify that it is a sports for all to play is that they mentioned that there are commercial space for leisure, shopping and dining activities. The sports hub will also consists of sports information and resource centre (SIRC), comprising a library, a museum and an exhibition centre. Not forgetting that it will consists of sports promenade and community facilities which are available to public. The sports hub is located in a way that there is ease of transportation to the venue such as Mass Rapid Transit network and the major expressways, it make travelling to the venue lot much easier.

In conclusion, I would say that this sports hub will not be a white elephant, this is because the community will definitely treat it like a venue for relaxation and leisure activity like the esplanade at the bay which has outdoor concert for our local musical talent to showcase we can have local community sport in the venue and earn a little revenue through the retail shops. I would also say that it definitely will bring our sports to a higher level as we gets to let our athletes to compete with international players without sending to oversea which I would considered that as a way to cut cost and spend more on sponsorship.

I hope I have got my idea right, a little lost even after reading the pre-reading before writing my RJ.

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