Other sports
Every year, the Singapore Sports Council (Tel: (65) 63 45 71 11. Internet: www.ssc.gov.sg) organizes activities that promote a healthy lifestyle and in which as many people as possible should take part, including national swimming and cycling events . The best known is the annual Fitness Encounter at the National Stadium in Kallang (Tel: (65) 63 48 12 58) with the Sports for Life event, a fun run over 2.4 km.
There are more than a dozen stadiums on the island, and because fitness is important, there are sports facilities for every level. Swimming is a very popular pastime, and there are plenty of pools; Gyms are equipped with the latest equipment.
Because of the constant, predictable weather in Singapore, you can do outdoor sports all year round – especially when the heat and humidity drop in the evening. One of the biggest sports attractions in Singapore are the many extensive golf courses, and since Singapore is an island, there are plenty of water sports available.
Spectators can watch the national soccer team S-league (Internet: www.sleague.com) play in their home stadium, the National Stadium. The Heineken Open tennis tournament is held in the Singapore Indoor Stadium, which is also located in Kallang.
The most popular spectator sports include horse racing, which is held throughout the year at the Singapore Turf Club. Highlights include the Queen Elizabeth Cup and the lucrative Singapore Gold Cup.
Rugby and cricket games take place on Padang, a green space in the heart of Singapore. Information about tickets is available from the Singapore Sports Council.
Bowling
You can bowl around the clock; There are trains at Jackie’s Bowl on East Coast Road (tel: (65) 62 41 65 19), Kallang Bowl at Stadium Walk (tel: (65) 63 45 05 45) and Victor’s Superbowl at Marina South (tel: (65 ) 62 21 07 07).
Biking
Bicycles can be rented from East Coast Park, Sentosa and Pasir Ris. On the island of Pulau Ubin (a short boat trip from Changi) there are also unpaved trails for mountain biking.
Gyms
The numerous studios include Ray Wilson California Fitness Center, Grange Road (tel: (65) 68 34 21 00) and the Takashimaya Fitness Club in Ngee Ann City (tel: (65) 67 39 93 14). There are also fitness rooms in the larger hotels.
Golf
In terms of population, Singapore has more golf courses per capita than anywhere else in the world. Visitors are often allowed to play for a special fee. There are also some driving ranges where golfers can get balls to practice on. On weekends, it is often difficult to get a place admission; In various clubs, visitors are also required to have a handicap or other proof of performance.
The golf courses include the 9-hole course of the Changi Golf Club, Netheravon Road (Tel: (65) 65 45 51 33), and the Keppel Club, Bukit Chermin Road (Tel: (65) 62 73 55 22), which has an 18-hole course.
The Laguna National Golf & Country Club, Laguna Golf Green (Tel: (65) 65 41 02 89) has a classic and advanced golf course, and the Raffles Country Club, Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim (Tel: (65) 68 61 76 55 ) two 18-hole courses. The Seletar Country Club, Seletar Club Road (Tel: (65) 64 86 08 01) has an 18-hole course; the Sentosa Golf Club, Bukit Manis Road (Tel: (65) 62 75 00 22) also has two 18-hole courses.
Further information is available on the official Singapore website (Internet: www.newasia-singapore.com ).
Polo
The Singapore Polo Club, Mount Pleasant Road (Tel: (65) 62 56 45 30), hosts polo games between February and November.
Sailing
The Europa Sailing Club, East Coast Parkway (Tel: (65) 64 49 51 18) can also be used by non-members and offers opportunities for windsurfing.
Water sports
The waters around Singapore offer neither crystal clear water nor a colorful underwater life, but you can complete a course in the swimming pool before you set off for clearer waters in Malaysia or Indonesia. Courses are held by Abyss Dive Junction (Tel: (65) 63 33 54 20); Big Bubble Center (Tel: (65) 62 22 68 62) and Dive Atlantis (Tel: (65) 62 92 89 80).
Swim
There are swimming pools in every quarter. For more detailed information, contact the Singapore Sports Council (Tel: (65) 63 45 71 11. Internet: www.ssc.gov.sg ).
Tennis
Tennis courts can be rented at the Singapore Tennis Center, East Coast Parkway (tel: (65) 64 42 59 66).
Water sports
Singapore’s waters can be quite cloudy and uncomfortably warm and in April they are full of spawning jellyfish, but Singapore is still one of the best Asian nations in water skiing and wakeboarding. The Cowabunga Ski Center at Kallang Riverside Park (Tel: (65) 63 44 88 13) offers a fixed slalom course. Other organizers include the Punggol Marina Water-Ski & Wakeboard Center (tel: (65) 63 86 38 91) and Williams Water Sports, Sembawang (tel: (65) 62 57 58 59).