A CAUSEWAY clash between Singapore and Malaysia on Aug 8 has been confirmed as the first football match that will take place at the new National Stadium, after the Singapore Sports Hub announced a line-up of events that will be held there this year.
The rugby World Club 10s on June 21-22 will be the first sporting event to be held at the 55,000 seater stadium. The new annual event will feature top professional club rugby teams from around the world.
Other international sporting events that will be held at the $1.33 billion, 35-hectare facility include the South-east Asia Swimming Championships, Asian Netball Championship and other marquee events like the Singapore Swim Stars (September 5-7) and the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Championships (Oct 17-26).
Said Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Zainudin Nordin: "We look forward to hosting Malaysia for the opening match at the Stadium on Aug 8, which will serve as an excellent prelude to our National Day celebrations. We are in the midst of finalising details of other upcoming matches with our partners, including events promoters, and we will make the necessary announcements in due course."
Added Singapore Rugby Union president Low Teo Ping: "We have had rugby events since the Singapore 7s in 2006, yet they have all not had the same lustre the Grand Dame had provided. We hope to reignite the Singapore spirit with the Kallang Roar and Kallang Wave as we support Team Singapore rugby and make it affordable to bring international events at affordable prices for all Singaporeans and people in Asia."
Sports Hub Pte Ltd's chief executive officer Philippe Collin Delavaud however reminded that the Hub will not just be a place for sporting elite.
He said: "Beyond spectator events, the Singapore Sports Hub will offer community programming, sports experience initiatives and public facilities open to all, young and old. We are looking forward to opening our doors to the public and showcasing all that the Sports Hub has to offer."
Entertainment events include concerts from American country star Taylor Swift (June 12), Korean group 2NE1 (June 28), and Mandarin pop group Sodagreen (Aug 30). Taiwan singer Jay Chou will be the first pop act to perform in the National Stadium on Nov 8.
