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WEEKLY ROUND-UP: Sports happenings in Singapore (9-15 May)

Singapore shuttler Loh Kean Yew.
Singapore shuttler Loh Kean Yew. (PHOTO: Shi Tang/Getty Images)

SINGAPORE — Here is a round-up of sports events and developments in Singapore in the past week (9 to 15 May):

Singapore Badminton Open to return in July after 2-year hiatus

The Singapore Badminton Open will return from 12 to 17 July at the Singapore Indoor Stadium after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fans could see the likes of Singapore's world champion Loh Kean Yew and India Open mixed doubles champions Terry Hee and Tan Wei Han in action.

Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) confirmed the hosting of the US$370,000 (S$516,000) Open in a media release on Thursday (12 May).

With the Open coming on the back of the Super 750 Malaysia Open and the Super 500 Malaysia Masters, fans can expect a star-studded field to compete in Singapore. It is also one of the last tournaments before the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, and shuttlers will be keen to get much-needed match sharpness before the Games.

"It’s truly exciting to be among the first big sporting events in Singapore to welcome back capacity crowds," said SBA president Lawrence Leow. "We will work closely with our event organisers and the authorities to ensure that the Open is both a safe and an enjoyable event for large groups of fans to experience."

Singapore to host Inter Nations Cup water polo tournament

Singapore will host the region’s water polo teams from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand in the Inter Nations Cup 2022 at the OCBC Aquatic Centre from 18 to 22 May.

It will be the first time the teams are competing against one another since the 2019 SEA Games. Since then, the COVID-19 pandemic had put water polo competitions on hold for the past two years.

The Inter Nations Cup is a ticketed and vaccination-differentiated safe management measures (VDS) event. Spectators are required to show proof of vaccination before entering the venue. Ticket sales start from S$10, and are available through Ticketmaster SG.

Lion City Sailors notch fifth SPL win on the trot

Defending Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions Lion City Sailors notched their fifth straight win after a 1-0 win over Geylang International at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday (14 May). Brazilian import Diego Lopes scored the winner in the 35th minute.

Last season's runners-up Albirex Niigata (Singapore) overtook the inactive Tampines Rovers into second spot, after a 2-1 victory over Balestier Khalsa at the Toa Payoh Stadium on Friday. Kan Kobayashi (31st minute) and Tadanari Lee (86th) scored for Albirex, while Balestier replied through Shuhei Hoshino (50th).

At Hougang Stadium on Saturday, Hougang United and Tanjong Pagar United shared the points after 1-1 draw. Reo Nishiguchi thought he had given the Jaguars the win with a 90th-minute goal, but Pedro Gomes equalised for the hosts in the 95th minute.

Elvin Ting (right), co-founder of Orange Room Asia, awarding the hosting rights for the TriFactor World Championship to Afrah, co-founder of Move Maldives. (PHOTO: TriFactor World Championship)
Elvin Ting (right), co-founder of Orange Room Asia, awarding the hosting rights for the TriFactor World Championship to Afrah, co-founder of Move Maldives. (PHOTO: TriFactor World Championship)

TriFactor Asian Championships across nine countries this year

This year's TriFactor Asian Championship Series will be held in nine countries this year - Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, China as well as a brand new World Championships race venue at the Maldives.

The Singapore leg will be held on 20 and 21 August. Meanwhile, the Bike & CycleRun Singapore event will be held on 30 and 31 July, while the Run & RunSwim Singapore event will be on 29 and 30 October.

The TriFactor World Championship will be held from 9 to 12 November, and will have two categories. The Elite category is only via qualification – athletes need to finish in the top three of their age group at any races in the TriFactor Asian Championships Series or Top 3 in a World Triathlon-sanctioned race. The Age Group category is limited to 300 participants, but anyone can sign up for the race.

Another addition is the TriFactor Asia Cup, which will be held in Vietnam later this year, where the best of the region will compete for the title of Asia champion. Another debuting event is the TriFactor Kids, a fun 1km and 3km run for children which will be held at Gardens by the Bay on 9 and 10 July, in collaboration with Kiztopia.

A feeder series called T.R.A.C. (Train - Recover - Assess - Complete) has been created, consisting of shorter and simpler races to serve as a stepping stone towards the main TriFactor races. Participants can download the LevelUP app for customised coaching programmes.

Lions to face Kuwait in friendly before Asian Cup qualifiers

Singapore men’s national football team will face Kuwait in an international ‘A’ friendly on 1 June as part of preparations for their final round of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup qualifiers.

It will also be the first match in charge for new head coach Takayuki Nishigaya, after the Japanese was appointed by the Football Association of Singapore in April.

The match will take place at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi as part of the Lions' training camp ahead of the qualifiers.

Singapore will then travel to Bishkek to face host Kyrgyzstan (8 June), Tajikistan (11 June) and Myanmar (14 June) in Group F of the Asian Cup qualifiers. The six group winners and five best second-placed teams will advance.

Singapore Floorball Series tickets on sale at Sistic

Tickets to the Singapore Floorball Series now on sale at Sistic, with prices starting from $6. The series comprises two international tournaments at the OCBC Arena, both of which will feature Singapore's national floorball teams.

The Women's Asia Oceania Floorball Confederation (AOFC) Cup from 23 to 28 May will feature six teams, including defending champions Singapore and runners-up Thailand.

The Men's Floorball World Championships AOFC qualifying tournament from 31 May to 4 June will see eight teams - including Singapore, South Korea and Australia - battling for their spot in the world championships in November.

Cycle of Peace charity drive opens registration

Registration to participate in the Cycle of Peace - a virtual cycling charity drive to raise awareness on the lives of the terminally ill in the community while raising funds to support Ambulance Wish Singapore (AWS) - began on Sunday (15 May) and will last until 15 June.

Participants can registers either individually or as team with family or friends. Once signed up, they can download the free fitness tracker, start cycling anytime and anywhere, and submit results using the STRAVA app or any GPS enabled fitness app/device.

Participants can track their progress and fund-raising accomplishment via the daily/weekly leadership ranking board. All participants with a minimum donation of S$50 will be entitled to an e-certificate, finisher e-badge and arm sleeve.

Awards will be given to the top five cyclists who covered the longest distances, as well as the top individual and top five team fundraisers. Donations can be made through AWS’s Cycle of Peace campaign page on Giving.sg.

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