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SINGAPORE: As Singaporeans prepare to celebrate National Day, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has urged the nation to pledge to stay united against any challenge the country may face.
He has also called on the people to continue to upgrade the city and new towns to improve their lives.
Mr Lee was speaking at the opening of the S$48 million Sengkang Sports and Recreation Centre and the area's National Day Carnival.
National Day enforces the common identity of Singaporeans, and Mr Lee said such community celebrations help strengthen bonds and remind citizens of their shared future.
He said: "But we cannot just bond once a year on National Day and around this period. We have to build good relations with one another through our daily contacts, ordinary lives and friendships and working relationships. And therefore, it is important to have shared facilities and facilities where we can interact with one another, regardless of race and religion, where we can mingle, and be comfortable with one another and gain confidence in each other."
And Mr Lee said sports is a good unifier.
"When you come to sporting events, strangers can be wearing the same colours, cheering for the same team. And when the national team wins or sometimes loses, we share the joy, the glory and sometimes the tears," said Mr Lee.
The Sengkang Sports and Recreation Centre is co-located with the Anchorvale Community Club and Mr Lee said this provides an excellent opportunity for both organisations to hold many community programmes and bonding activities.
The Sengkang Sports and Recreation Centre will serve some 12,000 households comprising nearly 30,000 residents in the area.
The Sports Council said the decision to offer residents sports with a lifestyle twist has been successful, and this will be incorporated at its next sports and recreation centre in Bukit Panjang.
- CNA/yt
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