Hosting sporting events in Singapore not just about 'economic receipts': SportSG chief

SINGAPORE: While profitability is a factor in deciding which sporting events Singapore will host, it is not the only consideration, said Sport Singapore (SportSG) chief executive officer Alan Goh.

Speaking to CNA on Thursday (Jan 16), Mr Goh said authorities also look at whether events, through the participation of world-class athletes, can inspire the next generation and provide a high level of competition for local athletes.

"There is a sweet spot where you can get the correct level of competition which Team Singapore can benefit from," he explained. "It is no longer just about economic receipts."

SportSG took over the ownership and management of the Singapore Sports Hub in Dec 2022, reaching a mutual agreement with then operator SportsHub Pte Ltd to terminate their public-private partnership (PPP).

"Before we took back ownership of the SportsHub, arguably with the PPP, it was more commercially driven," said Mr Goh.

"But since we took back (ownership and management), we made sure that we have a good spread, a good balance between events, concerts, sports, community (and the) National School Games."

A number of major sporting events were held in Singapore in 2024, including the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup and the World Chess Championship.

This year will see the inaugural Singapore Tennis Open and the World Aquatics Championships held here.

"We don't go for every single event and try to pull it here, because there's always a cost to it," said Mr Goh.

However, it is also not a case of just pursuing money-making events, he added.

"Success (in an event) would be when it's something (where) Singaporeans (can) participate, spectate and enjoy (themselves)," he said.

He cited the example of the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup