<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="560"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="550">Sports Hub won't be ready for SEA Games <!-- TITLE : end--> <!--
Despite delays, Government won't be rushed into costly construction. -myp --> </td> </tr> <tr></tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="left" valign="top" width="550"> <table> <tbody><tr> <td> <table> <tbody><tr><td>
</td> </tr> <tr><td class="content_subtitle" align="left"> Thu, Oct 01, 2009
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</td></tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <!-- Story Without Image / With eXtra Large Image End --> <tr><td colspan="3" class="bodytext_10pt"> <!-- CONTENT : start --> By Chia Han Keong
THE much-delayed Sports Hub in Kallang is unlikely to be completed in time for the 2013 South-east Asia Games.
Speaking on the sidelines of the unveiling of the Youth Olympic Games' (YOG) Culture and Education Programme (CEP) pictograms yesterday, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan confirmed that the proposed facility is unlikely to be ready in time for the biennial Games.
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</noscript><!-- /AdSpace --></td></tr></tbody></table>He said: "We're still discussing with the Singapore National Olympic Council and we'll take a decision later as to whether we'll put our hands up to host the 2013 SEA Games or to consider offering ourselves as a venue in the subsequent series of Games."
The $1.87-billion project has been plagued by delays since a private consortium won the bid in January last year to build it by next year.
Dr Balakrishnan revealed that financial concerns, like high construction costs and sky-high interest rates, were behind the persistent setbacks in construction.
However, he stressed that the Government will not be rushed, saying: "I'd rather be cautious and deliberate moving forward, and not be rushed into making hasty decisions, or decisions which may cost taxpayers more in the long run.
"I still want to work within the budget that we have set for ourselves, but in due time there will be a Sports Hub which all of us can be very proud of."
Meanwhile, preparations for next year's inaugural YOG in Singapore continued with yesterday's unveiling of its CEP pictograms at Pulau Ubin's Outward Bound Singapore.
Indeed, not only are YOG athletes coming here to compete in their respective sports, but they are also encouraged to learn and interact through seven formats of CEP activities: Chat with Champions, Discovery Activity, World Culture Village, Arts and Culture, Community Project, Exploration Journey, and Island Adventure.
Dr Balakrishnan believes that the CEP is a great opportunity for Singapore to leave behind a legacy for the YOG.
He said: "Being hosts of the inaugural Games, it is a great chance for us to set the standard of incorporating such cultural activities into the competition."
The minister witnessed some of the activities that athletes will be taking part in, should they sign up for the day-long Island Adventure activity.
For example, they can attempt to build a raft by using only poles, drums and ropes, or even try their hand at rock climbing.
[email protected]
</td></tr></tbody></table>
Despite delays, Government won't be rushed into costly construction. -myp --> </td> </tr> <tr></tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="left" valign="top" width="550"> <table> <tbody><tr> <td> <table> <tbody><tr><td>
my paper </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td align="right" width="400"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td align="right" valign="top">
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THE much-delayed Sports Hub in Kallang is unlikely to be completed in time for the 2013 South-east Asia Games.
Speaking on the sidelines of the unveiling of the Youth Olympic Games' (YOG) Culture and Education Programme (CEP) pictograms yesterday, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan confirmed that the proposed facility is unlikely to be ready in time for the biennial Games.
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The $1.87-billion project has been plagued by delays since a private consortium won the bid in January last year to build it by next year.
Dr Balakrishnan revealed that financial concerns, like high construction costs and sky-high interest rates, were behind the persistent setbacks in construction.
However, he stressed that the Government will not be rushed, saying: "I'd rather be cautious and deliberate moving forward, and not be rushed into making hasty decisions, or decisions which may cost taxpayers more in the long run.
"I still want to work within the budget that we have set for ourselves, but in due time there will be a Sports Hub which all of us can be very proud of."
Meanwhile, preparations for next year's inaugural YOG in Singapore continued with yesterday's unveiling of its CEP pictograms at Pulau Ubin's Outward Bound Singapore.
Indeed, not only are YOG athletes coming here to compete in their respective sports, but they are also encouraged to learn and interact through seven formats of CEP activities: Chat with Champions, Discovery Activity, World Culture Village, Arts and Culture, Community Project, Exploration Journey, and Island Adventure.
Dr Balakrishnan believes that the CEP is a great opportunity for Singapore to leave behind a legacy for the YOG.
He said: "Being hosts of the inaugural Games, it is a great chance for us to set the standard of incorporating such cultural activities into the competition."
The minister witnessed some of the activities that athletes will be taking part in, should they sign up for the day-long Island Adventure activity.
For example, they can attempt to build a raft by using only poles, drums and ropes, or even try their hand at rock climbing.
[email protected]
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