8/9/2019 Sports Hub wont be ready for SEA Games

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CHIA HAN KEONG

THE much-delayed SportsHub in Kallang is unlikelyto be completed in time

for the 2013 South-east AsiaGames.

Speaking on the sidelines oftheunveiling of theYouthOlym-pic Games (YOG) Culture andEducation Programme (CEP)pictograms yesterday, Ministerfor Community Development, Y o ut h a nd S po r ts V iv i an

Balakrishnan confirmed thatthe proposed facility is unlikelyto be ready in time for thebiennial Games.

He said: Were still discuss-ing with the Singapore NationalOlympic Council and well takea decision later as to whetherwell put our hands up to hostthe 2013 SEA Games or to con-sider offering ourselves as a ven-ue in the subsequent series of

Games.The $1.87-billion project has

been plagued by delays since aprivate consortiumwon the bidin January last year to build itby next year.

Dr Balakrishnan revealedthat financial concerns, likehigh construction costs andsky-high interest rates, were be-hind the persistent setbacks inconstruction.

However, he stressed thatthe Government will not berushed, saying: Id rather becautious and deliberate movingforward, and not be rushed intomaking hasty decisions, or deci-sions which may cost taxpayersmore in the long run.

I still want to work withinthe budget that we have set forourselves, but in due time therewill be a Sports Hub which all ofus can be very proud of.

Meanwhile, preparations fornext years inaugural YOG in

Singapore continued with yester-days unveiling of its CEP picto-grams at Pulau Ubins OutwardBound Singapore.

Indeed, not only are YOG ath-letes coming here to compete intheir respective sports, but theyare also encouraged to learn andinteract through seven formatsof CEP activities: Chat withChampions, Discovery Activity,World Culture Village, Arts and

Culture, Community Project,Exploration Journey, and IslandAdventure.

Dr Balakrishnan believesthat the CEP is a great opportu-nity for Singapore to leave be-hind a legacy for the YOG.

He said: Being hosts of theinaugural Games, it is a greatchance for us to set the standardof incorporating such culturalactivities into the competition.

The minister witnessed some

of the activities that athletes will be taking part in, should theysign up for the day-long IslandAdventure activity.

For example, they can at-tempt to builda raft by using on-ly poles, drums and ropes, oreven try their hand at rockclimbing.

hankeong@sph.com.sg

DELAYED AGAIN: Artists impression of the $1.87-billion Sports Hub in Kallang being built by a privateconsortium. It was originally slated to be completed by next year. (PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB CONSORTIUM)

SportsHubwont be ready

for SEA GamesDespite delays, Governmentwontbe rushed into costly construction

BONDING: These students in Pulau Ubin are building a raft as DrVivian Balakrishnan (background) looks on. (PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN)

Biennial:

ling nin y d de

Consortium:j tun

Legacy:y chn

Drums:yun tng

HELPDESK

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