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 venue which can meet the requirements of the championships". 

"It will house a competition pool, a warm-up pool, ample spectator seats, and dedicated areas for community events," he added.

"We’ve done a cost-benefit analysis and also referenced the approach of past editions of the World Aquatics Championships held in Hungary, Japan and most recently in Doha, where between two and six temporary pools were built by the respective local organising teams.

"We are exploring options to extend the use of this arena, including using the facility as a training or competition venue for local and regional meets before and after the championships." 

On Jul 13, a report published by the South China Morning Post cited unnamed sources who said the swimming events had to be relocated as costs were underestimated in the initial bid.

They said the initial plan was to use the 55,000-seat National Stadium, and that organisers had budgeted for the Championships "in double-digit millions" when it was "actually in triple-digit millions”.

Organisers did not respond to CNA's related questions, including on the cost of hosting the championships and how it's being funded. 

Mr Goh would only say: "We are budgeting for the event, with reference from past editions of World Aquatics Championships as well as possible sponsorships."

One of the organisers' "top priorities is to create a positive event experience for athletes and spectators while being fiscally prudent and cost-effective", he added.

The World Aquatic Championships will add to a string of major events that have taken place at the Sports Hub since SportSG took over the 35ha venue in December 2022.

This year, it has held sold-out concerts by international performers including Taylor Swift, Coldplay and Bruno Mars.

The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) also announced earlier in 2024 that it would set aside S$165 million over four years for a major sports event fund to attract more world-class sporting events to Singapore.

"Hosting a diverse range of world-class events, such as the World Aquatics Championships ... build Singapore’s brand as a must-visit destination," said Mr Goh in his statement on Monday.