'A fresh start': Singapore Sports School's Kallang move will boost larger ecosystem, say current and ex-students

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Sports School's (SSP) move from Woodlands to Kallang will benefit not only student-athletes but also the larger sporting ecosystem, according to both current pupils and alumni.

At the National Day Rally on Sunday (Aug 18), Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced the shift as part of a Kallang Alive Masterplan.

He said this would let student-athletes study and train together with senior athletes.

Calling Kallang a new “home” for Team Singapore, Mr Wong also revealed plans for new sports science and sports medicine facilities, as well as national training centres based under one roof, in the precinct.

Some former Sports School students told CNA they were pleasantly surprised to hear of the future move.

"Many of us alumni have made so many memories living and going to school at the Woodlands campus," said national jumper Tia Rozario.

Over the years, the school has become "synonymous" with the Woodlands area, added Olympian swimmer Chantal Liew.

"The Sports School is literally built on (One) Champions Way; the road was named after the Sports School. It's pretty iconic," she said. 

"But I think this is ultimately a good thing and we're condensing our sports ecosystem into one place and if that can be a hub for all sports, I think that would benefit the country a lot more."

Being at Kallang will "change the entire energy and the entire dynamic of the school", said Liew.

One major plus for student-athletes will be the convenience of Kallang's central location, said those who CNA spoke to.

Currently, SSP offers "academy programme" sports such as badminton, swimming and track and field, where student-athletes are trained by the school's coaches. But some of them also train outside the school, with national youth and