sport 쐽 THE STRAITS TIMES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 2009 PAGE B10
LANDING A DIVING PRINCESS
Other stars may join
Guo Jingjing for YOG
sport initiation clinics
BY LEONARD LIM
THE princess of diving is set to come to
town.
China’s Guo Jingjing, the sport’s most
decorated female Olympian, will likely be
thrilling crowds with double somersaults
and twists during the inaugural Youth
Olympic Games next August.
While the 28-year-old and four-time
Olympic gold medallist will not be eligi-
ble for any medals, she will conduct clin-
ics for athletes and the public.
“I was speaking to (Fina executive di-
rector) Cornel Marculescu last Friday
evening, and he told me that she has
more or less confirmed coming,” said Sin-
gapore Youth Olympic Games Organising
Committee (Syogoc) director (sports and
venues division) Patrick Lee.
Other stars who could head here in-
clude American swimmer Michael Phelps,
who won a record eight golds at last
year’s Beijing Olympics; and Jamaica’s Us-
ain Bolt and Shelly Ann-Fraser, the reign-
ing 100m men and women’s Olympic
champions.
Their visits during the Aug 14-26 YOG
will be part of the Sport Initiation pro-
gramme, which aims to pique Singapore-
ans’ and foreign athletes’ interest in
sports they have not tried before.
Another hope is to leave a legacy of
sporting culture long after the Games.
Syogoc chairman Ng Ser Miang said:
“They’ll add a lot of excitement for young
people in Singapore and encourage them
to be involved in sport.”
Of the YOG’s 26 sports, 14 are being
proposed to be part of this programme.
They include badminton, boxing, tennis,
wrestling and fencing.
Said Lee: “The clinics will be at either
the competition or training venue for that
sport.
“The international federations are still
working on who to bring. This person
must be able to connect well with the
youth.”
YOG venues to close
BY CHAN U-GENE
AT LEAST 13 public sports facilities will
be closed to prepare and upgrade them
for next year’s Youth Olympic Games
(YOG).
Most of the closures, which range
from three months to nearly a year, will
begin in May. Bishan Sports Hall has al-
ready shut its doors since last Thursday.
All the facilities are expected to be
re-opened by Oct 16 latest, after the end
of the YOG on Aug 26, said the Singapore
Sports Council in a statement yesterday.
The Bishan Sports Hall, which is the
proposed venue for the YOG gymnastics
competition, will be closed for nearly a
year, the longest period of closure.
The neighbouring Bishan Stadium,
home ground of S-League football club
Home United, will also be upgraded from
May, as it prepares to host YOG’s track
and field events.
Home have already relocated to the
Clementi Stadium, since the football
pitch at Bishan has been closed since Ju-
ly’s Asian Youth Games.
“Now, with the YOG, we will have to
play the next season at Clementi too,”
said Farah Almuddin, a senior executive
at the club.
The SSC has provided a list of alterna-
tive venues for the public to use.
Next 72 hours
Today
Bowling
Singapore National C’ships (Orchid Bowl, Orchid
Country Club, 10am).
Football
Uefa Champions League, Group E: Debrecen v
Liverpool (Live, mio TV Ch62, tomorrow, 3.39am),
Fiorentina v Lyon. Gp F: Barcelona v Inter Milan
(Live, mio TV Ch61, tomorrow, 3.45am), Rubin
Kazan v Dynamo Kiev (Live, mio TV Ch61,
tomorrow, 1.30am). Gp G: Rangers v VfB Stuttgart,
Unirea Urziceni v Sevilla. Gp H: AZ Alkmaar v
Olympiakos Piraeus, Arsenal v Standard Liege (Live,
mio TV Ch63, tomorrow, 3.39am).
Tennis
ATP World Tour Finals: singles round robin (Live,
Ch22, 10.15pm and tomorrow, 4.45am).
Tomorrow
Bowling
Singapore National C’ships (Orchid Bowl, Orchid
Country Club, 10am).
Football
English Premier League: Fulham v Blackburn (Live,
Ch22, Thursday, 4am).
Uefa Champions League, Group A: Bordeaux v
Juventus, Bayern Munich v Maccabi Haifa. Gp B:
CSKA Moscow v VfL Wolfsburg (Live, mio TV Ch61,
Thursday, 1.30am), Manchester United v Besiktas
(Live, mio TV Ch63, Thursday, 3.39am). Gp C: Real
Madrid v FC Zurich, AC Milan v Marseille (Live, mio
TV Ch61, Thursday, 3.45am). Gp D: Porto v Chelsea
(Live, mio TV Ch62, Thursday, 3.39am), Apoel
Nicosia v Atletico Madrid.
Quadruple Olympic springboard champion Guo Jingjing is set to conduct clinics for YOG athletes
from other sports and the public to spark their interest in diving. PHOTO: APPLE DAILY
For some, the closure still comes as an
inconvenience.
Said Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary ath-
lete Azlan Tengku, 17, who uses the track
at Bishan Stadium three times a week:
“This is really inconvenient because I’m
used to training at this place.”
Chen Chong Ji, 26, is also upset. He
swims four times a week at the busy Toa
Payoh Swimming Complex, the proposed
site for YOG’s diving competition, which
will close from June to September.
“I will have to go to the swimming
complex at Kallang Bahru instead, which
is a further 20-minute bus ride,” he said.
Tay Swee Peng, a systems analyst,
hopes the closure of sports halls would
not mean a shortage of badminton courts.
“Most of us can play only after work,
and it is already difficult to book courts
for that time,” said the 37-year-old, who
plays at the Jurong East Sports Hall.
Others complain that they already
have to book at least two weeks in ad-
vance, and the wait will only get longer.
The Jurong East, Jurong West, Toa Pay-
oh sports halls will be closed for between
three and four months next year.
But other recreational sportsmen un-
derstand the need for patience.
Shipyard manager Herman Wee, 44,
who plays badminton every week, said:
“It’s glorious that Singapore is able to
host the YOG, so we will bear with it.”
“This defeat was not as bad
as being beaten by Tonga in
1973, but it’s not far off.”
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD,
savaging the
Australian rugby
team after
Saturday’s
8-9 shock
loss to
Scotland.
The Tonga
humiliation was
11-16
Sepak takraw
Perses Premier League: Police SA v Belia CBC, Yio
Chu Kang CSC v Punggol East CSC (Perses COE,
Bedok North, 8pm).
Tennis
ATP World Tour Finals: singles round robin (Live,
Ch22, 10.15pm and Thursday, 4.45am).
Thursday
Bowling
Singapore National C’ships (Orchid Bowl, Orchid
Country Club, 10am).
Golf
World Cup: Day 1 (Live, Ch26, 11.45am).
Tennis
ATP World Tour Finals: singles round robin (Live,
Ch22, 10.15pm and Friday, 4.45am).
쏆
Federer aims
to get back
at Murray;
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
“The international federations
Nadal loses
are still working on who to LONDON: It is the big two at the O2
bring. This person must be Arena. Roger Federer is looking for-
able to connect well with ward to the chance for revenge over
Andy Murray in the ATP World Tour
the youth.” Finals tonight.
He suffered a costly defeat to Mur-
PATRICK LEE, Syogoc director, on top
sportsmen coming for YOG programmes ray, the world No. 4, in the group
stage of the end-of-season event
when it was held in Shanghai last year.
Then, the Swiss star was eliminated
He was speaking at a briefing to repre- from the tournament as a result of that
sentatives from the 26 national sports as- 6-4, 6-7, 5-7 loss – ending his
sociations whose sports will be contest- two-year reign as Tour Finals champi-
ed. Others present at Syogoc’s Kay Siang on.
Road headquarters yesterday included Ng It was not the first time that Mur-
and Singapore Sports Council chief execu- ray had upset Federer – the Scot is one
tive officer Oon Jin Teik. of the players who holds a career win-
NSA officials were also told of selec- ning record (6-3) against arguably the
tion guidelines, and to nominate athletes greatest player of all time.
to the Singapore National Olympic Coun- “Obviously I expect a difficult
cil by March. Singapore’s contingent at match,” said the world No. 1, who is
the 205-country event will be restricted
likely to need a significant improve-
to 130: a maximum of 70 athletes in indi- ment on his erratic win against Spain’s
vidual sports, and 60 in team sports.
Fernando Verdasco on Sunday.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Com- While Murray looked good in his
munity Development, Youth and Sports)
6-3, 3-6, 6-2 victory over US Open
Teo Ser Luck later gave a closed-door champion Juan Martin del Potro of Ar-
briefing on funding for the YOG.
So far, about $2.6 million has been dis-
bursed to be used chiefly for preparing
athletes through overseas training and
competitions.
This is part of the Games’ $6.2 million
budget, from the $15 million purse an-
nounced by the Singapore Youth Sports
Development Committee in April to sup-
port youth sports initiatives.
The first tranche was released about
five months ago, with the second to be
paid out in a few weeks.
But Mr Teo said eight NSAs need to
submit more detailed selection policies be-
fore they can get any money.
Singapore Athletic Association chief
executive officer Steven Yeo, whose sport
has yet to receive anything, said: “They
just want minor amendments. We’re
hopeful we can get the money soon.”
limze@sph.com.sg
World No. 1 Roger Federer (above) was
WHERE TO WORK OUT
Schedule of alternative SSC
facilities available during the
CLOSING JUNE 1, 2010
Re-opening Sept 3, 2010
unconvincing in beating Fernando Verdasco
and needs a big improvement when he plays
Andy Murray. PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS
inaugural Singapore 2010 gentina, Federer looked ill at ease as he
Youth Olympic Games Facility Alternative Venue
dropped the first set, shaking his head,
Choa Chu Bukit Gombak Stadium
Kang Stadium
and looking like a man in a trough.
CLOSED LAST THURSDAY Woodlands Stadium When the real Federer got to grips
Re-opening Oct 11, 2010 Jurong East Bukit Gombak Stadium with his game, he wore down Verdasco
Stadium 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 in two hours.
Clementi Stadium
Facility Alternative Venue “I just felt that sort of at the begin-
Jurong West Clementi Sports Hall
Hougang Sports Hall Sports Hall ning of the second set, I was starting
Bt Gombak Sports Hall
Bishan Yio Chu Kang to return better. The whole first set I
Sports Hall Sports Hall Jurong West was struggling to really put normal re-
Stadium Clementi Stadium
Yishun Sports Hall turns into play,” Federer said.
Jurong West “That can happen at times.”
Jurong East
Swimming Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal was beat-
Complex Clementi
en 4-6, 4-6 by Robin Soderling in his
CLOSING MAY 1, 2010
opening game, with the Swede repeat-
Re-opening Sept 3, 2010 Re-opening Sept 11, 2010 ing his French Open shock win over
Facility Alternative Venue the Spaniard.
Facility Alternative Venue
Today’s Federer-Murray battle is al-
Clementi Sports Hall Jalan Besar Queenstown Stadium
Jurong East Stadium
most certain to be watched by the big-
Sports Hall Bukit Gombak gest crowd for a tennis match in Brit-
Sports Hall Sengkang Delta Hockey Pitch ain. More than 17,000 saw Murray
Hockey Stadium CCAB Hockey Pitch
beat del Potro but organisers believe
Re-opening Sept 11, 2010 Toa Payoh Serangoon that figure will be smashed when the
Facility Alternative Venue Swimming Bishan big two clash by the banks of the
Complex Kallang Basin Thames.
Serangoon Stadium The Scot said: “When I got close to
Bishan
Stadium Yio Chu Kang Stadium Re-opening Oct 16, 2010 winning against del Potro, the atmos-
Hougang Stadium phere was excellent. That’s going to
Facility Alternative Venue
Co-curricular Activities make a big difference going into the
Branch (CCAB), St Wilfrid (Bendemeer) next couple of matches.”
Toa Payoh Bukit Timah Kallang
Tennis Burghley AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Sports Hall Yio Chu Kang (Serangoon Gardens)
Centre
Sports Hall Farrer Park ATP World Tour Finals
Live, Ch22, 10.15pm and tomorrow, 4.45am
Beckham gives his all, but Galaxy just fall short
SEATTLE: David Beckham (left) team’s only goal and played all 120
consoling Los Angeles Galaxy captain minutes, including 30 minutes of
Landon Donovan, who missed in the extra time, which ended 1-1. Then he
penalty shoot-out loss to Real Salt banged in the first of the Galaxy’s
Lake in the Major League Soccer Cup
four penalties in a shoot-out.
title match. But after Real Salt Lake won 5-4
The midfielder did all he could to
on penalties over his star-studded
win a football championship but it
was not quite enough.
Galaxy team, Beckham, 34, reiterated
The England veteran took three that he would return for the fourth
painkilling injections to dull the pain season of his US$32.5 million (S$45
million) five-year MLS contract.
in his bruised right foot before
Sunday night’s game. He set up his ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHOTO: REUTERS
Scorecard
Basketball German Bundesliga: Bayern Munich 1 Bayer Mikaela Parmlid (Swe) 73 66, Helen Alfredsson
NBA Orlando 104 Toronto 96, Boston 107 NY Leverkusen 1, Hamburg SV 0 VfL Bochum 1. (Swe) 72 67. 140 Pak Se Ri (Kor) 72 68, Suzann
Pettersen (Nor) 72 68, Karen Stupples (Gbr) 71 69.
Knicks 105 (OT), Charlotte 104 Indiana 88, Miami Italian Serie A: AC Milan 4 Cagliari 3, Roma 3 Bari
Withdrawn: 72 Michelle Wie (USA).
102 New Orleans 101, Phoenix 117 Detroit 91, LA 1, Juventus 1 Udinese 0, Livorno 2 Genoa 1, Napoli
Lakers 101 Oklahoma City 85. 0 Lazio 0, Palermo 1 Catania 1, Sampdoria 2
Chievo 1, Siena 0 Atalanta 2. Tennis
Scottish Premier League: Dundee United 2 Celtic ATP World Tour Finals In London – Gp A: Roger
Football 1. Federer (Sui) bt Fernando Verdasco (Esp) 4-6 7-5
Asian Cup qualifiers Group D: China 1 Lebanon 0. Spanish Primera Liga: Malaga 1 Zaragoza 1, 6-1. Gp B: Robin Soderling (Swe) bt Rafael Nadal
(Esp) 6-4 6-4.
Gp E: Jordan 1 Iran 0. Osasuna 1 Valencia 3, Espanyol 0 Getafe 2,
Dutch Eredivisie: Ajax 5 Heerenveen 1, Feyenoord Mallorca 3 Almeria 1, Villarreal 3 Valladolid 1, Xerez
0 Utrecht 0, PSV 4 Heracles Almelo 0, VVV-Venlo 0 Sporting Gijon 0. Volleyball
World Grand Champions In Nagoya, Men: Cuba bt
5 Sparta Rotterdam 0, Willem II Tilburg 1 ADO Den
Iran 3-1 (25-14 25-22 15-25 25-15), Poland bt Egypt
Haag 1. Golf 3-0 (25-19 25-18 25-19), Brazil bt Egypt 3-0 (25-21
English Premier League: Stoke 1 Portsmouth 0. LPGA Tour Championship In Houston, Texas, 25-22 25-22), Poland bt Iran 3-1 (25-23 18-25
French Ligue 1: Montpellier HSC 2 Lille 0, Nice 1 weather-disrupted 2nd rd: 136 Kristy McPherson 28-26 25-23), Cuba bt Japan 3-0 (25-19 25-20
Toulouse 0, St Etienne 0 FC Lorient 2. (USA) 69 67. 138 Anna Nordqvist (Swe) 70 68. 139 25-22).