Lack of sporting facilities could pose a challenge as Singapore assesses invitation to host 2026 Commonwealth Games

SINGAPORE: While hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games is likely to boost the Singapore brand, observers are divided as to whether the country is ready infrastructure-wise.

This comes as Singapore assesses the feasibility of hosting the Games, after the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) invited all member associations – including Singapore – to express interest in hosting the next edition.

The Australian state of Victoria pulled out as host of the Games, citing projected cost overruns.

Former vice-president of the Singapore National Olympic Council Low Teo Ping noted that Singapore does not have a velodrome, an arena for track cycling, and that there may not be a suitable field for playing cricket.

“We are not necessarily quite there in terms of infrastructure (to) be able to host a lot of the events that are part of the Commonwealth Games,” said Teo, who was chef de mission at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. 

He added that Singapore might have about 60 per cent of the infrastructure needed to host the Games.

The Games typically feature about 20 sports over a two-week period. 

The 2022 edition was held in Birmingham, England, where about 5,000 athletes from over 70 nations took part.

While the two-year runway for the Games is “tight” given the scale of the event, it is doable, said Professor Lawrence Loh, director of the Centre for Governance and Sustainability at the National University of Singapore’s Business School. 

“Facilities are all ready. We have the Singapore Sports Hub, the National Stadium, the Indoor Stadium, and also ancillary facilities,” he said.

However, when asked about a possible joint bid between Singapore and Malaysia, which some experts have suggested, Prof Loh said that two years would be too short for