This is like those "renovation or closing sales" we see everywhere.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/384483/1/.html
Kallang could roar again
SINGAPORE : Both the semi-finals and final of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup in December are played over two legs, home and away.
If defending champions Singapore do make it to the last four, they will play their semi-final home leg at Bishan Stadium, which holds a capacity of 4,254 fans.
But with the 55,000-capacity National Stadium yet to be torn down to make way for the proposed S$1.87 billion Sports Hub, there is a chance the old Kallang Roar could being heard once again.
“It is our understanding that the National Stadium may (still) be available,” said Football Association of Singapore (FAS) spokesperson Eric Ong.
“We have already scheduled a meeting with the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) to work out the relevant details before the AFF are invited for an inspection visit. We can expect this to be done within the next couple of weeks.”
“The larger-capacity National Stadium would allow as many Singaporeans as possible the opportunity to support the Lions in their quest to defend their title as champions of South-east Asia,” he added.
The 2008 Suzuki Cup will be co-hosted by Indonesia and Thailand from December 5-28.
Singapore have been drawn in Group A with Indonesia and Myanmar, while Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam are in Group B.
Each group will be joined by a qualifier, with Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines and Timor Leste all in the mix for the qualifying competition, which kicked off last Friday in Phnom Penh.
The first-leg of the semi-finals will be played on December 16 and 17, with the return matches scheduled on December 20 and 21, while the two-legged final will be held on December 24 and 28.
The FAS had nominated Bishan Stadium in July as its designated venue for the home leg of the semi-final and final, should Singapore qualify.
They are currently working with the SSC on getting the stadium ready, while also exploring the possibility of increasing the capacity.
But with the Sports Hub project set to be delayed due to the global financial crisis, the FAS are now keen to use the National Stadium.
In January last year, a capacity crowd at Kallang watched Singapore beat Thailand 2-1 in the first-leg of the 2007 Asean Football Championship Final.
The last time a football match was held at the National Stadium was in July, when the Lions lost 3-0 to the Brazil Olympic side in a friendly.
When contacted on Tuesday, SSC chief (sports facilities group) Kenneth Hui said: “As long as the National Stadium is available prior to the construction of the new Sports Hub, the SSC assess requests to use the National Stadium on a case-by-case basis and will only consider allowing it to be used in exceptional circumstances.
“Should FAS request for the usage of the stadium, the SSC will consider re-opening it so that more Singaporeans may have the opportunity to watch the Asean Football Championship 2008 (AFF Suzuki Cup 2008).” - TODAY/rose
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/384483/1/.html
Kallang could roar again
SINGAPORE : Both the semi-finals and final of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup in December are played over two legs, home and away.
If defending champions Singapore do make it to the last four, they will play their semi-final home leg at Bishan Stadium, which holds a capacity of 4,254 fans.
But with the 55,000-capacity National Stadium yet to be torn down to make way for the proposed S$1.87 billion Sports Hub, there is a chance the old Kallang Roar could being heard once again.
“It is our understanding that the National Stadium may (still) be available,” said Football Association of Singapore (FAS) spokesperson Eric Ong.
“We have already scheduled a meeting with the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) to work out the relevant details before the AFF are invited for an inspection visit. We can expect this to be done within the next couple of weeks.”
“The larger-capacity National Stadium would allow as many Singaporeans as possible the opportunity to support the Lions in their quest to defend their title as champions of South-east Asia,” he added.
The 2008 Suzuki Cup will be co-hosted by Indonesia and Thailand from December 5-28.
Singapore have been drawn in Group A with Indonesia and Myanmar, while Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam are in Group B.
Each group will be joined by a qualifier, with Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines and Timor Leste all in the mix for the qualifying competition, which kicked off last Friday in Phnom Penh.
The first-leg of the semi-finals will be played on December 16 and 17, with the return matches scheduled on December 20 and 21, while the two-legged final will be held on December 24 and 28.
The FAS had nominated Bishan Stadium in July as its designated venue for the home leg of the semi-final and final, should Singapore qualify.
They are currently working with the SSC on getting the stadium ready, while also exploring the possibility of increasing the capacity.
But with the Sports Hub project set to be delayed due to the global financial crisis, the FAS are now keen to use the National Stadium.
In January last year, a capacity crowd at Kallang watched Singapore beat Thailand 2-1 in the first-leg of the 2007 Asean Football Championship Final.
The last time a football match was held at the National Stadium was in July, when the Lions lost 3-0 to the Brazil Olympic side in a friendly.
When contacted on Tuesday, SSC chief (sports facilities group) Kenneth Hui said: “As long as the National Stadium is available prior to the construction of the new Sports Hub, the SSC assess requests to use the National Stadium on a case-by-case basis and will only consider allowing it to be used in exceptional circumstances.
“Should FAS request for the usage of the stadium, the SSC will consider re-opening it so that more Singaporeans may have the opportunity to watch the Asean Football Championship 2008 (AFF Suzuki Cup 2008).” - TODAY/rose
