STEFAN TSENG, triple jump national record holder

'It's a great initiative, because Singapore hosts a lot of regional and international competitions. It helps a lot because it will also help build a sporting culture here.'

AMANDA CHOO, national sprinter

'It will be quite cool to represent Singapore there in the 2013 SEA Games. I have been to a SEA Games opening ceremony overseas, and would love to feel the home-ground atmosphere. Of course, I feel a sense of loss for the National Stadium, because I have trained and competed there in Schools National events.'

LEE WUNG YEW, Singapore's Olympic-bound trap shooter

'The National Stadium was a good landmark, but many youths don't identify with it. I'm a teacher at Innova JC, and many of my students ask me why the stadium is so old and so lousy. They watch the Premier League and other major sporting events on TV, and also want a world-class sports facility for Singapore.'

OON JIN GEE, Singapore Swimming Association vice-president and former Olympic swimmer

'There's been a lot of history at the stadium since the Malaysia Cup, the whole nation coming together to support the football team.

This is symbolic of us, as a nation, willing to progress by getting rid of the old. I really hope the new facility can pull the whole nation together in sports.'

ALEKSANDAR DURIC,national soccer player

'I'm sad to see the National Stadium go. But I'm also very excited about the new Sports Hub. The new generation can have a lot of memories in this new stadium. It's like a new technology that excites people.'

QUAH TING WEN, national swimmer

'Even though many people are really upset that the National Stadium is being torn down, the Sports Hub will allow Singapore to be recognised for its sporting achievements.'

MAHMOOD GAZNAVI, Singapore Cricket Association deputy president and former cricket and hockey international

'The National Stadium is a very significant part of our sporting history. But we have to face reality and get a new sporting facility that is more in sync with our current generation. We must compromise a bit of our sentiments.'