WEEKLY ROUND-UP: Sports happenings in Singapore (25 Sept-1 Oct)
Cycling stars to compete in Singapore criterium, Netball Singapore gets new president, Albirex stunned in Singapore Cup
SINGAPORE — Here is a round-up of sports events and developments in Singapore in the past week (25 September to 1 October):
Star-studded line-up finalised for Singapore Criterium
This month's Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium is set to feature a star-studded field, with the confirmed participations of three of the four classification winners of this year’s Tour de France, the world No.1 rider and winners of six of the past 10 Tour de France editions.
Race organisers confirmed on Thursday (28 September) that the reigning Green Jersey winner Jaspen Philipsen, four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome, 2019 champion Egan Bernal, three-time world champion Peter Sagan, and recent Vuelta a Espana winner Sepp Kuss will line up on the Suntec City street circuit on 29 October.
They will join World No.1 Tadej Pogacar, this year's Polka Dot Jersey winner Giulio Ciccone and cycling great Mark Cavendish as the leading lights for the second edition of the Singapore Criterium.
This year's Singapore Criterium field will feature 44 riders, consisting of seven of the world’s best international teams, alongside three regional teams and the Singapore national team. Suntec City’s iconic Fountain of Wealth will feature prominently as the world’s best cyclists race around the new street circuit.
Tickets to the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium and its various fringe events on 28 and 29 October, such as a Kids’ Ride and CEO Breakfast Ride, can be purchased on the event website.
More than 130 cyclists also gathered at Jurong West Stadium on Saturday (30 September) for a race simulation of the PRURide Seeker’s Criterium, the only event for amateur cyclists during the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium race weekend on 28 and 29 October.
Joined by national cyclist Mohamed Elyas Mohamed Yusoff and Singapore Cycling Federation’s Boram Seo, participants had the opportunity to apply their technical skills on a track mimicking turns from the actual route that they will take at the Singapore Criterium.
SGX Cares Bull Charge Charity Futsal raises $132,000
SGX Cares - the corporate social responsibility platform of Singapore Exchange - rallied the financial community, local football greats and celebrities to raise close to $132,000 at the SGX Cares Bull Charge Charity Futsal at Kick Off! in Kovan on Saturday (30 September).
A total of 34 teams - including all-women squads as well as youth players - participated for a good cause, with guest-of-honour Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Social and Family Development, gracing the event.
Former Singapore international football greats such as Aleksandar Duric, Razali Saad, Malek Awab and Nazri Nasir, as well as a team of celebrities consisting of Charlie Goh from Ah Boys to Men fame and CNA news anchor Steve Lai, joined in the event.
The funds raised at the charity futsal tournament will go towards supporting underprivileged children and families, persons with disabilities and the elderly. In partnership with the Community Chest, all fundraising proceeds will be channelled to the adopted beneficiaries for 2023: AWWA, Autism Association (Singapore), Fei Yue Community Services, HCSA Community Services and Shared Services for Charities.
To round off the 20th year of fundraising, the Bull Charge Charity Run will be held in-person on 27 October at Marina Barrage.
Trina Liang takes over as Netball Singapore president
Netball Singapore has appointed Trina Liang as its new president following the association's 2023 annual general meeting. She succeeds Jessica Tan, following the East Coast GRC Member of Parliament's 10-year tenure.
Liang's connection with netball dates back to her secondary school days at CHIJ St Joseph’s Convent. She is currently the president of Women in Sustainability and Environment Singapore, and also serves as a fund manager for a firm specialising in green real estate investments in Asia.
Liang also holds board positions at prominent organisations like the World Wildlife Fund for Nature and SPCA Singapore. Together with her husband, she established the Lin Foundation, focusing on education, employment, and healthcare, particularly for women and girls.
As Netball Singapore president, Liang will lead efforts to elevate the sport, with a particular emphasis on enhancing elite performance, expanding mass participation, and advancing technical development. Another key focus will be nurturing sponsorship partnerships to provide increased international exposure opportunities for all national teams, with particular attention to the younger age groups.
Geylang score upset win over Albirex Niigata in Singapore Cup
Geylang International stunned reigning Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions Albirex Niigata (Singapore) in their Singapore Cup group-stage match, beating them 2-1 at the Jurong East Stadium on Tuesday (26 September).
The Eagles' Japanese forward Yushi Yamaya put them ahead in first-half stoppage time, and Naufal Azman extended their lead six minutes into the second half. Although Albirex pulled a goal back in the 74th minute through Shunsaku Kishimoto, they were unable to draw level against Geylang.
The result puts Geylang in third place in Group A, while Albirex are in fourth spot with only one point from two matches.
Brunei's DPMM FC climbed to the top of Group A after a 1-0 win over Tampines Rovers at Jalan Besar Stadium on Tuesday. The lone goal was scored by Farshad Noor in the 63rd minute.
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