Singapore to hold most of World Aquatics Championships in Kallang for 'logistics and operations efficiencies'

SINGAPORE: Most of the 2025 World Aquatics Championships will be held within Singapore's Kallang precinct to "achieve logistics and operations efficiencies", organisers said on Monday (Jul 22).

They were responding to questions from CNA after eyebrows were raised over an announcement that some events would take place in temporary pools in a shopping centre car park.

A subsequent media report also quoted anonymous sources claiming that the budget for the championships had been underestimated. Organisers did not address related questions on costs and funding sources in its response on Monday.

The multi-discipline World Aquatics Championships will be held in Singapore from Jul 11 to Aug 3 next year, after being relocated from its original Russian venue in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier in July, Singapore organisers announced that water polo and diving events would be held at the Sports Hub's OCBC Aquatic Centre, while swimming and artistic swimming events would take place in temporary pools in the car park of Leisure Park Kallang mall. Sentosa island meanwhile would host open-water swimming and high diving.

Having the bulk of events within the Kallang precinct will make it "more convenient for athletes to move between the different competition and training venues",  said Mr Alan Goh who co-chairs the organising committee and is also chief executive of Sport Singapore.

"Spectators can easily access different competition events in one location too," he added.

Mr Goh said that venues were assessed and selected together with the World Aquatics body, and took in factors such as technical specifications, event scheduling and seating capacity for spectators. 

On the temporary pools, Mr Goh described them as a "purpose-built