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.

TWO-YEAR RUNWAY

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 “intense country to country negotiations”.

He said that while Singapore may not have the facilities needed for some sports, the list of games is “not cast in stone”, and that the host has influence in that area.

The key consideration in accepting the invitation to host would be value for money, but there is a need to look at other aspects, said Prof Loh.

“We need to also look at the other side which is the benefits, not only in terms of direct benefits, like economy, but the more intangible benefits in terms of reputation and branding of Singapore as a destination,” he said.

He added that hosting the Games would put Singapore on the map as a node in the world for events. 

Singapore is set to host next year's World Aquatics Championships, but missed out on staging the 2025 edition of the World Athletics Championships.

PUSH FOR LOCAL SPORTING SCENE

It will also be a push for the local sporting scene in terms of having international exposure, Prof Loh said, noting that Singapore is short of such globally-oriented games on its homeground. 

However, Low said that there may not be many people familiar with the Commonwealth Games. 

“We're talking about the Commonwealth, really going back to the old days when we were part of the British Commonwealth. Today, especially for the younger ones who are in their 30s 40s, they probably cannot relate at all,” he said. 

“It is an event which is not really well-known to the man on the street. And if you're going to host it, I think it has got to have that impact on the man on the street,” he added. 

President of the Singapore Swimming Association Mark Chay said that the Games can be seen as an opportunity to promote Singapore as an elite destination. 

“We built all these world-class facilities and of course we need to host world-class events,” he said. 
 
He noted that Singapore is competitive in various sports that will feature in the Games, like badminton, table tennis and shooting.

“We hope to have more of our Singaporeans winning on the podium when we host these tournaments,” said Chay, who was chef de mission at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.