Search Results

Although more than 72% of people ranked their wellbeing as a top priority in Singapore, 48% said they thought achieving wellbeing as a top priority was impossible PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE • More than 72% of people in Singapore place wellbeing as their top priority, yet 48% feel that achieving wellbeing as a top priority is impossible • For men, societal factors are key: more than 50% in Singapore wish they wouldn't be judged for showing an interest in improving their mental wellbeing. • lululemon deepens commitment in Singapore with “Find Your Wellbeing” – a series of initiatives that help advance men’s and the community’s wellbeing • CrossFit Trainer Aidan Chemaly to hold a 24-hour Murph Challenge that seeks to bring to life community wellbeing and a safe space for expression PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE Singapore, 29 September 2023 – lululemon released its third annual Global Wellbeing Report (GWR) which reveals the worldwide state of wellbeing has not improved since the company first surveyed in 2021, during the height of the pandemic. In fact, 40% of respondents in Singapore said wellbeing is lower than it has ever been before. Although more than 72% of people ranked their wellbeing as a top priority, 48% said they thought achieving wellbeing as a top priority was impossible. The “Wellbeing Dilemma” is the result of a troubling paradox: the prioritization of wellbeing is not improving wellbeing. While the Global Wellbeing Index score has remained stagnant at 66, there is hope and an opportunity to learn from those with higher wellbeing as uncovered by the report. PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE As a global company committed to advancing wellbeing for all, lululemon has continued to provide access to wellbeing tools and resources to more than five million people and counting. This October, lululemon will be launching “Find Your Wellbeing” – an invitation to embark on a path to being well through a series of activities in key cities around the Asia Pacific (APAC) region including Singapore that support physical, mental and social wellbeing. The campaign will kick off with a four-day wellbeing event in Seoul, South Korea on October 12. “lululemon believes wellbeing is a personal journey, rather than a destination. While ‘wellbeing’ is recognized as a life priority, the concept along with its barriers have become increasingly overwhelming. The heightened expectations around what ‘wellbeing’ should have led to a downward spiral triggering further anxieties and stress,” said Gareth Pope, Senior Vice President, lululemon, Asia Pacific, “insights from the report help us better understand how to support people and communities in their efforts to be well within APAC and globally. PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE With the dedication to advancing wellbeing for all, lululemon is committed to building a path towards positive change and helping guests embark on their personal wellbeing journey.” The “Wellbeing Dilemma” manifesting in Singapore While many pandemic era challenges are behind us, there has not been a post-pandemic morale boost. In Singapore, there are certain groups that are feeling the impact of low wellbeing more acutely, creating a ripple effect of impact to both the individual and society: • People are feeling that barriers to wellbeing are harder to overcome: o 36% of people in Singapore do not have the time to think about their wellbeing. o 45% feel the need to pretend to be happy even when not because of societal pressures. PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE • Men and Gen Zs are feeling the impact of low wellbeing more acutely: o Men face challenges speaking up about and/or improving their mental health; more than 1 in 2 individuals identifying as men in Singapore wish they wouldn't be judged for showing an interest in improving their mental wellbeing. ▪ Nearly half of individuals identifying as men feel societal expectations for men in Singapore make it difficult for them to express their emotions. ▪ 50% of the surveyed men within Singapore feel that society has made it more difficult for them to speak up about their mental health than women. o Gen Zs in Singapore feel the effect of social media on wellbeing; 2 in 5 Gen Zsin Singapore reported that social media negatively impacts their mental wellbeing. PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE A path to progress The report uncovers steps everyone can take to improve their wellbeing, learning from those with higher wellbeing: • Workout / exercise with other people when possible. Those with high wellbeing are 4X more likely than those with low wellbeing to have joined free community-based workouts. • Work to express your needs, especially with loved ones. 72% of those with higher wellbeing are more vocal about their needs in friendships, relationships and with family. PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE lululemon Deepens Commitment to Advocate for Wellbeing The GWR provides a glimpse into Singapore’s state of holistic wellbeing, revealing the personal struggles and societal barriers in people’s pursuit of wellness, especially among men and Gen Z. To help break the stigma and tackle challenges to achieving wellness, lululemon will be launching the “Find Your Wellbeing” campaign across the region in the month of October to celebrate World Mental Health Day (October 10). Forming the cornerstone of the campaign is a holistic wellbeing event that will kick off in Seoul, bringing together celebrities, athletes, field experts including psychologists, and lululemon ambassadors. This will culminate in a series of community sweat sessions and interactive pop-ups in the region for all to embark on their journey toward feeling well with acts of movement, mindfulness, and connection. PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE Global Wellbeing Report 2023 for Singapore The Global Wellbeing Report (GWR) is lululemon's unique research study designed to look at the global wellbeing landscape - from its challenges to solutions - over time. Now in its third edition, GWR 2023 included 14 markets and focused on the general public. The online survey was fielded in 14 markets between May 1, 2023 to June 6, 2023. Key Findings for Singapore 72% of people in Singapore place wellbeing as a top priority, however 48% feel that this is impossible to achieve. In particular, half (50%) of the surveyed men within Singapore feel society has made it more difficult for them to speak up about their mental health than women, and 52% of men feel societal expectations hinder their expression of emotion. Meanwhile Gen Z's wellbeing is greatly affected by social media, with 39% expressing that social media negatively impacts their mental wellbeing. #lululemonsg #Wellbeing

Charmaine Soh returns to the fold after a year out due to injury, as tickets go on sale for the 22-28 October event PHOTO: NETBALL SINGAPORE Singapore, 12 September 2023 – The Mirxes Nations Cup is set to make its highly-anticipated return to the OCBC Arena from 22 to 28 October 2023. Supporters can look forward to catching Team Singapore in action again, including fan favourite and Singapore’s most-capped player Charmaine Soh, following a year out due to injury. The Singapore Opens team participating in the 2023 Mirxes Nations Cup remains largely unchanged from the team that competed in July’s Netball World Cup, except for the notable return of shooters Charmaine Soh and Lee Pei Shan. At this year’s Netball World Cup, the team placed 15th and secured victories against Sri Lanka twice – the first time the Singapore national team has recorded wins against the Asian Champions since 2015. Soh is an iconic figure in Singapore’s netball history, having been a stalwart in the national team since making her international debut in 2011 at the Netball World Cup in Singapore against Jamaica. Over the years, the 33-year-old has achieved numerous milestones for Singapore, being part of the winning team at the 2012 and 2014 Asian Netball Championships and the 2015 SEA Games. Soh, who currently has 123 caps, also serves as a World Netball Athlete Ambassador for Asia. Upon her selection to compete in the Mirxes Nations Cup, Soh expressed her gratitude and said: “It’s always an honour to represent Singapore, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to do so again. Overcoming a serious injury has been challenging, and I’m extremely grateful to all who have supported me during my recovery. I can’t wait to compete in front of the fans, friends and family again and contribute to the team’s success at the Mirxes Nations Cup.” Featuring a round-robin format, six teams from around the world will vie for the Mirxes Nations Cup trophy. The lineup includes top-ranked teams, namely Sri Lanka (15), Cook Islands (20), Papua New Guinea (39), Canada (unranked), and Singapore’s very own Opens (28) and A teams. The Singapore Opens team, under the leadership of national coach Annette Bishop, is poised to face established opponents during the tournament, and stated: “The team had a strong showing at the Netball World Cup earlier this year, and we’re determined to build on that momentum. While our team remains largely unchanged, the return of Charmaine brings a wealth of experience, while Pei Shan, with her height and strength, will provide a different challenge to opposing defenders. Together, Pei Shan and Charmaine offer unique strengths and we will continue to build on our strong showing this year as a team.” PHOTO: NETBALL SINGAPORE The Singapore A Team, Netball Singapore’s developmental squad, is set to feature in the Nations Cup once again, building on their introduction to the competition last year. Established in 2020, the Singapore A Team predominantly comprises players aged 23 and under. It also includes Opens players who may not regularly secure court time or are returning to the national setup after a hiatus from competitive action. The inclusion of the Singapore A Team in the Mirxes Nations Cup adds depth to the competition and serves as a crucial bridge for emerging talents to gain invaluable experience, bolstering the overall strength of the national team and nurturing the future of netball in the country. One notable success story from the Singapore A Team is Aqilah Andin, who made her return to competitive netball, representing and captaining the Singapore A Team at the 2022 Nations Cup after giving birth in July last year. Andin, who will be part of the Opens team at the Mirxes Nations Cup, reflected on her experience: “I have cherished memories of competing at last year’s Nations Cup, especially because I had my son Qaif in the stands watching me play. Being part of the Singapore A Team last year significantly aided my exposure to competitive netball against top-notch teams again after almost being out for some time. This experience was pivotal in my journey back to the Opens team and paved the way for me to play in top competitions such as this year’s Netball World Cup.” Mirxes, the title sponsor for the 2023 and 2024 Mirxes Nations Cup, has expressed its support. “Mirxes is honoured to be the title sponsor for the 2023 and 2024 Nations Cup. Through this sponsorship, we aim to amplify the message of preventive health, using sports as a powerful platform to inspire positive change,” said Mr. Teo Cher Hwa, Senior Vice President, Health Innovation Delivery, Mirxes. The Mirxes Nations Cup is scheduled to take place from 22 to 28 October 2023 at the OCBC Arena. Tickets are now available for purchase through Ticketmaster. For more information on the Mirxes Nations Cup, follow Netball Singapore (@netballsingapore) on social media for the latest updates. Singapore Opens Team Toh Kai Wei (Co-Captain) Khor Ting Fang (Co-Captain) Aqilah Andin (Vice Captain) Charmaine Soh Lee Pei Shan Amandeep Kaur Angelina Lim Tan Yi Jie Rachel Ling Kimberly Lim Jamie Lim Reena Divya Reserves Goh Wei Ping K. Mishalenee Singapore A Team Goh Wei Ping Priscilla Wong Rebecca Leong Sherlyn Yip Zulfa Rashad Laura Low Matilda Su-Yin Narayan Miki Ng Faith Lawrence Norah Paul Gabriel Shannon Tan K. Mishalenee Training Partners Jenine Ang Uzma Rashad #SportPlusSG #Netball #NationsCup

LIV ACTIV's new Raffles City store spans 3,000 square feet and is its biggest in Singapore PHOTO: LIV ACTIV Singapore, 5 September 2023 – LIV ACTIV, a leading destination for multi-sport and lifestyle gear, is pleased to announce the opening of its newest retail location at Raffles City Singapore this month. The expansion marks a significant milestone for the local brand, building upon its initial store opening in 2014. The addition of the newest store extends LIV ACTIV’s offering of high-quality athletic and lifestyle apparel and accessories to the discerning shoppers of one of Singapore’s prominent retail malls in the heart of the city. LIV ACTIV presently operates two other stores in Singapore, located at Velocity @ Novena Square and Changi City Point. PHOTO: LIV ACTIV The new LIV ACTIV store at Raffles City boasts a spacious retail space of 3,000sqft, showcasing a thoughtfully curated collection of gear and accessories from renowned sports and lifestyle brands worldwide, such as The North Face, HOKA, Salomon, ON, Helly Hansen, BUFF, OOFOS and Gregory. New to this space is a state-of-the-art trail ramp with different terrain surfaces, where customers can test out their hiking shoes before making a purchase. This innovative feature underscores LIV ACTIV’s commitment to ensuring that customers can make informed choices when selecting the perfect gear for their outdoor adventures. PHOTO: LIV ACTIV "We are thrilled to open our doors at Raffles City, which marks a pivotal moment for our brand as we aim to provide an enhanced shopping experience for our valued customers," said Mr. Walter Tan, Managing Director of Outdoor Venture Pte Ltd. "This new store underlines our commitment to serve the active community in Singapore by offering premium products that cater to their fitness and outdoor needs. The central location of Raffles City will allow us to make our products even more accessible for our esteemed patrons." PHOTO: LIV ACTIV To celebrate the grand opening, LIV ACTIV has introduced these exciting special promotions for its valued customers: - 20% off The North Face, Helly Hansen, and Gregory regular-priced products - 15% off Salomon regular-priced products PHOTO: LIV ACTIV An additional 10% off with a minimum of 2 items purchased, for any of the above brands. These promotions end on 1 October 2023. The biggest and newest LIV ACTIV store is located at 252 North Bridge Road #02-05, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103. For more information on LIV ACTIV, you can follow LIV ACTIV (@livactiv) on social media for the latest updates and deals. #LiveActivSG

Over 2,000 participants united for the ninth annual Run For Inclusion 2023 to run, walk or cycle over varied distances and demonstrate a collective effort that includes persons with special needs (PWSNs) Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Education, esteemed guests and participants at the flag-off point for Run For Inclusion 2023 at Singapore Turf Club. PHOTO: RUN FOR INCLUSION Singapore, 2 September 2023 - A remarkable spectacle unfolded today at the Singapore Turf Club (STC) as more than 2,000 participants united for the ninth annual Run For Inclusion 2023. In the event organised by inclusive sports co-operative Runninghour, participants run, walk or cycle over varied distances to demonstrate a collective effort that includes persons with special needs (PWSNs). In doing so, they raise awareness of the importance of inclusion. The run celebrated sportsmanship and supported the positive affirmation of all participants, including PWSNs who live with sensory impairments such as hearing or visual disabilities, and developmental and neurological impairments such as those intellectually challenged, diagnosed with autism or in mental recovery. Minister for Education Mr Chan Chun Sing was the event’s guest of honour and flagged off the running categories. Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Education, interacting with PWSNs participants and their guides for Run For Inclusion 2023 at Singapore Turf Club (L-R: Minister Chan, Lawrence Gabriel Villar Angel (PWSN), Howard Yap (Guide), Chan Yun Xuan (PWSN) and Grace Chong (Guide). PHOTO: RUN FOR INCLUSION Run for Inclusion stands as a beacon of hope for inclusivity, setting an example for the acceptance of PWSNs in society. The event included 3km and 5km runs and walks, a 10km run and an 18km bike or hand cycling ride that included a tandem option designed for PWSNs. A standout feature of this year's event was the highly anticipated return of the signature Blindfold Walk after a three-year hiatus. Participants in this walk wore blindfolds and partnered with a sighted person for the first 500m, switching places for the next 500m. The unique experience gave participants a sense of what it is like to be visually impaired, allowing them to trust and rely on their partners as they walked. As is its tradition, Runninghour gave complimentary slots to all PWSNs and their caregivers under the 'SoleMate' programme, an initiative with the Central Singapore Community Development Council. This year's event was supported by prominent partners including the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry Singapore Foundation, STC and SportCares. Participants walking and running at Run For Inclusion 2023, Singapore’s largest inclusive mass running event, held at Singapore Turf Club. PHOTO: RUN FOR INCLUSION As Run For Inclusion’s corporate partner for a second consecutive year, STC demonstrated its commitment to inclusivity with the largest race contingent this year. Some 330 STC employees, their friends and families joined the event, committing to log 180 kilometres collectively in commemoration of STC’s 180th anniversary. As a fitting conclusion to its 180th milestone, STC again donated $32,400 ($180 x 180 kilometres) to Runninghour. “Singapore Turf Club is honoured to support social initiatives such as Run for Inclusion,” said STC Chief Marketing Officer, Ms Christina Chua, esteemed guest and participant at this year’s event. “Giving back to the community and supporting inclusivity are among our core values as the oldest social club in Singapore. We have long supported a variety of social causes through close collaboration with advocacy groups and community partners.” Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Education with the Singapore Turf Club contingent, the largest at this year's Run for Inclusion. PHOTO: RUN FOR INCLUSION The donation will support Runninghour’s regular programmes including its weekly runs, yoga sessions and its outreach programmes to special schools to encourage school leavers to embrace sports. “We are thrilled to witness the incredible turnout at Run For Inclusion 2023”, said Runninghour Executive Director, Ms Jasmine Chan. “This event serves as a testament to the power of unity and inclusivity, where persons with special needs and individuals from all walks of life come together to celebrate diversity. With the unwavering support from our partners and participants, we are paving the way for a more inclusive Singapore.” Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Education, being taught by a participant of Run For Inclusion 2023, how to ride a handcycle. PHOTO: RUN FOR INCLUSION Members of the public who are interested to join Runninghour's weekly sports activities can visit their website www.runninghour.com, or their Instagram page https://instagram.com/runninghour for more information. #Running #RunForInclusion

Biggest ever Singapore delegation to an international short track competition sees impressive medal haul and new personal bests written in Bangkok event PHOTO: SINGAPORE ICE SKATING ASSOCIATION Singapore, 3 September 2023 – Singapore clinched a total of 8 medals at the Asian Open Short Track Trophy, the biggest haul since the country started fielding skaters to the competition in 2014. The competition held in Bangkok, Thailand from 31 August to 2 September 2023 had 113 skaters from 11 countries. PHOTO: SINGAPORE ICE SKATING ASSOCIATION Singapore sent 11 skaters, making this the biggest-ever Singapore delegation to an international short track competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union. Singapore’s youngest development squad skater Raeon Zhang, 9, clinched two silvers for Junior D2 333m and 777m, clocking new personal bests in the process. This was his first overseas outing for an international competition. PHOTO: SINGAPORE ICE SKATING ASSOCIATION Raeon was pumped from the experience. “I am so excited to represent Singapore for my first international overseas competition. I am so happy that I got two silver medals and two personal bests as I wasn't expecting any podium finishes. I was just targeting a top 5 finish for all my races. I will definitely aim for a gold for my next competition. So happy to do Singapore proud!” National squad skater Braelynn Nga, 11, contributed a silver for Junior D 777m. Lavelle Zhang, Loh Geok Qin, Amelia Chua, Keegen Chan and Chloe Luai won a bronze each. The total tally for Singapore is 3 silver and 5 bronze medals. PHOTO: SINGAPORE ICE SKATING ASSOCIATION Singapore Team Leader Ms Alicia Tan said: “This is Singapore’s best showing at the Asian Open, and I am very pleased at the fighting spirit displayed by all our skaters. In addition to the medals, our skaters clocked 12 new personal bests during the competition. As the Olympic-sized rink in Singapore has closed, our skaters flew in about a week earlier to access ice training to prepare for the competition. The extra effort plus the will to press on and do their best have paid off.” SISA is raising funds through the 25th Anniversary Fund to support the ice skating community for overseas competitions and on-ice training during the period there is no Olympic-sized rink in Singapore. The campaign is on Giving.sg at https://www.giving.sg/singapore-ice-skating-association/25thanniversaryfund . Donations are 2.5 times tax deductible and will be matched under the One Team Singapore Fund (OTSF). Donors who contribute $180 or more will receive a complimentary copy of the SISA 25th Anniversary commemorative book on the history of ice skating in Singapore. #SportPlusSG #ShortTrackSpeedSkating #TeamSingapore

Missing a connecting flight is one of the biggest nightmares for most travelers. For veteran sports journalist, Shireen Ahmed, what should have been an unpleasant experience turned into a touch of Women’s World Cup magic. PHOTO: SHIREEN AHMED The Senior Contributor at CBC Sports was on her way to Melbourne, Australia to cover the FIFA Women’s World Cup. After already travelling to San Francisco from her native Toronto, Canada, Shireen failed to make her connecting flight that would have taken her straight to Melbourne. With no direct flights left, she was rerouted to Singapore. Shireen’s daughter, Rumaysa Khan is a goalkeeper for Pakistan’s Women’s National Team. In a stroke of luck, Singapore was hosting Pakistan at Jalan Besar Stadium that very same day. Prior to their reunion at the stadium, the two had not seen each other in two months. “There was a joke in the family WhatsApp. Everyone was like ‘you have to go,’ but realistically, everyone was just teasing me. Nobody, including her thought that I would be there,” Shireen says. Having worries about potentially missing yet another flight, Shireen consulted her two cousins who live in Singapore about the possibility of making it out of immigration, to the match and back in five hours. After getting reassurance of a quick and smooth process at Changi Airport, Shireen decided it was worth a shot. PHOTO: SHIREEN AHMED “I wasn’t aware what time her match was. Then when I found out that it was at 7pm and I land at 6.30pm, I was like, ‘I think this can happen.’” she smiles. “Staying over in San Francisco was fortuitous because it helped give me time to map out my strategy for Singapore. I didn’t need a visa to enter, I just needed to pay $35 USD and I was joking that it felt like a ticket to Disney World, you can just get a pass for a day.” By the time Shireen bought her $11 match ticket, which is now back in her Toronto home as keepsake, the game was already 12 minutes into the first half. She picked her seat amongst the Pakistani fans behind the team’s bench and watched as they took on the Lionesses. 35 minutes in, a particular on-the-ball movement by Pakistan had captivated her in the stands. “Keep at it!” Shireen yelled in what she described as her spectator voice. “All of a sudden, my daughter’s head jerked up and she turned around and I just did this,” she says as she demonstrates a cheeky, muted wave. “She started to cry. I hadn't seen her in 2 months, which is the longest I hadn’t seen my child. The word I used to describe this was ‘serendipitous’. My son said it best, he said ‘Mama, if you even tried to do this, it wouldn’t have worked.’” PHOTO: SHIREEN AHMED Shireen’s missed connection was not the only blessing in disguise. The Pakistan Women’s National Team was never supposed to be in Singapore. Instead of Southeast Asia, the team was scheduled to face Mauritius in Southeast Africa. “Subhanallah, it was really interesting. The point that I made is that God is a better travel planner. The fact that this happened was something really spectacular. It sounds like something out of a movie,” she gushes. After the 1-0 loss for Pakistan, the mother-daughter duo met at the team hotel, where the two spent 30-45 minutes catching up. “To be honest, we didn’t talk a lot about the match. We talked a lot about each other. We really had to pack in a lot in that little time that we had,” Shireen recounts. Despite the loss, Rumaysa took some positives away from the game. “Later, she said that she was pleased the challenge is there. If you go through all the teams and win everything then something is wrong. A one-nil win signifies a certain amount of equilibrium and that means that all these teams are moving forward," Shireen shares. PHOTO: SHIREEN AHMED Shireen is no stranger to the global realm of women’s sports. Having contributed to countless of established platforms like The Guardian, Sports Illustrated and currently CBC Sports, the award-winning sports activist and journalist has witnessed the evolution of women’s football in all parts of the world with differing socio-economical and political environments. Sitting in Jalan Besar Stadium, she had hoped that there would be more Singaporean fans considering the home advantage, but understood better than anyone that it takes time. Shireen believes strongly in the emboldening of youth teams and pathways as a way of growing the sport and feeding the national teams. With several U-16 Singaporean players already in America and Spain under the Unleash The Roar! football scholarships and the growth of prolific goal scorers like Izzati Rosni and Borussia Dortmund youngster, Danelle Tan, there is already a slight buzz within the women’s football community in Singapore. IRSALINA IRWAN, UNLEASH THE ROAR! FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT VS HONG KONG PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG “There is a starting point and it keeps growing. I think looking at the example of the Australian Women’s National Team, there were less than 2000 people at games about a decade ago and now they’re spending $80,000 on stadiums so that’s really important to note. One day when I come to Jalan Besar, maybe there won’t even be a ticket for me!” Shireen says, full of hope. “The environment in the stadium was one I really enjoyed because there was excitement and that is something that I think there's a vibe globally with the growth of women’s soccer. It’s long overdue, particularly in countries in Asia.” On the back of a successful ongoing Women’s World Cup, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is due to announce an inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League. While the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) is still very much in its developmental stages, it is historical that teams will even have the chance to fight to compete in such a tournament. Taking the example of a Pakistan team that was suspended from 2014-2022, being able to now have tournaments to potentially play in is already a chance to grow. “With the global growth of women’s football, it will trickle down into these parts of the world. You’ll always get the naysayers who say no. To try weed out the negative comments is really tough for the players because they read it. Players at every level read the comments but hopefully, you’ll get more people saying yes louder.”

Thai muay Thai and kickboxing champion Stamp Fairtex in bid to become unprecedented three-sport queen PHOTO: ONE CHAMPIONSHIP Singapore, 8 August 2023 - ONE Championship is set to return home to “The Lion City” for a magical event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, as destiny awaits martial arts superstars who will be competing at the ONE Fight Night 14: Stamp vs. Ham showdown on 30 September 2023 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. In the headline attraction, two of the world’s greatest female athletes will attempt to make their wildest dreams come true. PHOTO: ONE CHAMPIONSHIP After claiming Muay Thai and kickboxing gold, Stamp Fairtex will challenge for the ONE Interim Women’s Atomweight MMA World Championship and try to become an unprecedented three-sport queen. But standing in her way is Ham Seo Hee, a highly decorated Asian MMA Champion who looks to win the richest prize in the sport and cement her legacy as one of the continent’s best female mixed martial artists. PHOTO: ONE CHAMPIONSHIP The card will feature two more all-female World Title bouts. Strawweight Muay Thai queen Smilla Sundell will defend her crown against Filipino-American standout Jackie Buntan in a high-stakes rematch, while Danielle Kelly and Jessa Khan will collide for the inaugural ONE Atomweight Submission Grappling World Championship. PHOTO: ONE CHAMPIONSHIP Plus, ONE Women’s Strawweight MMA World Champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan will face Nat “Wondergirl” Jaroonsak in an innovative special rules striking contest that you won’t want to miss! With several more pivotal battles expected to be added to the blockbuster lineup, ONE Fight Night 14 is shaping up to be one of the biggest cards of 2023. Fans can get their tickets via https://ticketmaster.sg/activity/detail/23_onesep30 For more information and regular updates, https://www.onefc.com/events/onefightnight14/ #ONEChampionship #ONEFightNight14

A showdown between two European powerhouses always promises fireworks and goals and the tantalising clash between Premier League giants Liverpool FC and reigning Bundesliga champions FC Bayern Munich delivered just that. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG SINGAPORE, 2 AUGUST 2023 – In a seven-goal thriller that rocked the Singapore Sports Hub, FC Bayern Munich came from behind twice to defeat Liverpool FC 4-3 with a stoppage time winner to clinch the Singapore Trophy presented by Audi and Standard Chartered on Wednesday (2 Aug) at the National Stadium. FC Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel was pleased with the spirit and discipline his side showed, which bodes well as his side gear up for their title defence from 19 Aug. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG The German hailed the result as a “huge step forward”, adding: “It was a good performance and result against one of the best teams in Europe. I’m very happy the players showed a performance like this to put an exclamation at the end of this tour. We’ll focus on the process to get better every single day and to become a team. This match is proof we are on the right track. Against Liverpool FC, we had to overcome tough moments. It was more difficult because we went down twice and it’s very physical as always against Liverpool FC. We never gave up our spirit and discipline. There’s still time for us to develop and grow, but this is a big step and proof that we’re on the right track, so we’ll keep going.” Defender Alphonso Davies also showed his appreciation for the crowd, saying: “I just want to say thank you to the fans who came down. We appreciate your support over here in Singapore, and we're looking forward to the season and we’ll keep going when we get back to Munich.” PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG While FC Bayern Munich emerged victorious, it was Liverpool FC who drew first blood after just two minutes following a smooth passage of play between Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo. Jota’s final pass split the FB Bayern Munich defence for Gakpo to fire the ball past goalkeeper Yann Sommer. The Reds doubled their lead in the 28th minute through a classic Virgil van Dijk header off Andy Robertson’s well-positioned corner and the many diehard Liverpool FC fans got to their feet celebrating again. The Germans pulled one back just five minutes later after new signing Kim Min-jae whipped in a sumptuous pass to Serge Gnabry, who put it past Alisson to the delight of the away end. Gnabry then turned provider in the 42nd minute, squaring the ball for Leroy Sane who made no mistake finding the back of the net to keep things level at the break. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Liverpool FC led again through Luis Diaz in the 66th minute who dinked a pass from Mohamed Salah past Josip Stanisic before slamming the ball into the bottom left corner. Defender Stanisic then made amends in the 80th minute, making no mistake from close range after Liverpool FC goalkeeper Alisson pushed Mattijs de Ligt’s header from Arijon Ibrahimovic’s free-kick into his path. When it appeared that penalties would decide the winner, Stanisic’s fellow defender Frans Krätzig stepped up, smashing a long pass from de Ligt into the roof of the net to seal the trophy for the Germans as the crowd went wild. Both teams also took the time to thank their fans after the final whistle as “You’ll Never Walk Alone” played for a second time tonight. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG On the 20-year-old Krätzig, Tuchel said: “He’s a lovely guy, he’s very intelligent and smart on the pitch. He was very strong when we changed him to an offensive position, I didn’t know how well he could play. He did very well since day one on tour. Today, he finished a very spectacular attack and played a good match. I’m very happy, he’s a nice guy, he deserves it and now, we will try to improve him, to push him." Despite the narrow loss, Liverpool FC manager Jürgen Klopp still took positives from the match and thanked Singapore fans for the support they showed the Reds for the last few days. Reflecting on a competitive match that delivered both positives and areas for improvement, Klopp said: “The goals we conceded were due to a lack of concentration in that moment and were all very similar. The atmosphere was great, (the fans) created something really special and from the first second, we were super welcomed. I hate losing, it happens, but this is pre-season and it’s a strong opponent. We could’ve scored a fourth goal, but there are lots of good stuff, stuff to improve on. That’s how it is and we keep going. The most important information of all: nobody got hurt. The physical aspect of today’s game was super important. We scored really good goals in the first half and there were good moments. We saw encouraging positive performances and we can work with that.” PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Newly appointed Liverpool FC captain Virgil van Dijk echoed Klopp’s sentiments and made the team’s goal next season clear. He said: “Overall, it was a good game for the neutral fans and a lot of goals so that was not boring for the fans. There were so many good things today as well. But obviously, we still have to improve as well. That's what we're going to work on next week. We're going to fight to make it right. Last season was disappointing and we're going to do everything in our power to make everyone proud again and let the club be where it belongs.” The match was the perfect finale to the Singapore Festival of Football Driven by CDG Zig, which saw over 130,000 fans come together for three top-class matches at the National Stadium. Tottenham Hotspur beat 2021 Singapore Premier League champions Lion City Sailors 5-1 to win the Tiger Cup on 26 July. Liverpool FC then defeated Leicester City FC 4-0 to retain their Standard Chartered Singapore Trophy on 30 July. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Timothy Ho, Managing Director, TEG Asia, said: "It was heartening to see over 130,000 football fans united by their love for football filling the National Stadium. Over the past week, we have had two training sessions and three matches for this year’s Singapore Festival of Football Driven by CDG Zig. Each of these sessions were well-supported with fans from around the region – including countries like China, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia – coming to watch their sporting heroes live. We've also had strong support from our various partners and sponsors. We are always looking to bring live sporting and entertainment events to Singapore and the electrifying atmosphere on and off the pitch has made this event a very special one." PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG #SportPlusSG#Football#SgFestivalOfFootball

After 30 minutes, the 28,597-strong crowd were rewarded for their patience and treated to a goal fest as Liverpool FC beat Leicester City FC 4-0 to retain the Standard Chartered Singapore Trophy on Sunday (30 July). PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG SINGAPORE, 30 JULY 2023 – From kick-off, they shouted for goals, urging Liverpool FC stars Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah to shoot whenever they were in a good position. Liverpool FC manager Jürgen Klopp hailed the atmosphere at the Singapore National Stadium as special and thanked the crowd, majority of whom were sporting LFC jerseys and scarves while waving various banners and flags. Klopp said: “It was all good, we created great chances. In the first half, the high press worked pretty well in moments. The second half, we were a lot better with pressure on the ball. There were a lot of good moments, but we can still do better. A few knocks ruined the game, but the atmosphere was really special. We’ve experienced it a couple of times so to the people doing it, thank you for that.” PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG After being flagged for offside, Darwin Núñez got his goal minutes later, drawing vociferous cheers from the crowd who earlier sang iconic anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone with gusto. The Uruguayan tapped in from close range after half an hour when Leicester City FC goalkeeper Mads Hermansen parried Diogo Jota’s strike into his path. Young midfielder Bobby Clark doubled Liverpool FC’s lead in the 35th minute, coolly slotting in Mohamed Salah’s cutback to the middle of the penalty box. Just three minutes later, the crowd went wild again when Jota’s header off a cross from Salah easily found the back of the net, giving the Reds a comfortable 3-0 lead at the break. Ben Doak added a fourth in the 63rd minute, heading in at the near post to seal Liverpool FC’s victory. Leicester City FC created several chances but could not convert. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Klopp and Jota, who was named Man of the Match, were pleased with the result as both emphasised the desire of the team to improve on last season’s performance. Jota said: “We want to build on the physical side of the game and build on (what we did today). We want to do a lot better than we did last season. Last season was not great, so we really want to improve on that. That is what pre-season is about, to build and try to get better for the start of the season.” Klopp added: “They’re not happy with last season but we ended quite well. We worked together and it really showed. If you look at the team, there’s a lot of different roles on the pitch and in the dressing room as well. I’m really happy about the situation we’re in, the boys have grown into the game and their roles again and that’s really special and good.” PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Despite the loss, Leicester City FC manager Enzo Maresca remained upbeat. He said: “The atmosphere was great. I’m happy to be here and spend days here in Singapore. Today I think the team started very well in the first half an hour. We were playing good football from the back, (they) created chances, found solutions, found the space. Liverpool FC, for me, are one of the best teams in terms of transition. The results will always come in football, but for me today was very important to see how the team receive the idea, the intention and to be honest, I’m happy with that.” Leicester City FC midfielder Harry Winks also took positives from the match, adding that the lessons learnt will be helpful as the club chase Premier League football again. He said: “I think in spells we played really well, we showed our intention in how we want to play and what we want to do this season. We played against one of the best teams in the world who are ruthless when you make mistakes. It was a good test for us, lots of positives, but ultimately we're disappointed with the results. Our aim this season is to get promoted, we know it is a difficult league to play in, but we have a great squad and a great manager, and we are all very determined to get back into the Premier League.” PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Tickets for the Singapore Festival of Football Driven by CDG Zig can be purchased here. #SportPlusSG#Football#SgFestivalOfFootball

Spurs stars including Harry Kane and Son Heung-min dazzled over 25,000 spectators at Singapore Sports Hub’s National Stadium in opening match of the Singapore Festival of Football PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore, 26 July 2023 – They waited four years to see their beloved team return to Singapore and Tottenham Hotspur fans here did not hold back. They welcomed the team at the hotel at 2.30am, returned on subsequent days to greet the team, and cheered them on during Open Training. On Wednesday (July 26), Tottenham Hotspur fans were rewarded with a goal fest as Richarlison’s hat-trick helped Spurs beat the Lion City Sailors 5-1 to clinch the Tiger Cup. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Stars including Harry Kane and Son Heung-min dazzled over 25,000 spectators at Singapore Sports Hub’s National Stadium in the opening match of the Singapore Festival of Football Driven by CDG Zig and fans of both teams were in high spirits throughout the 90 minutes. Their support did not go unnoticed by Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou who thanked the fans during his post-match press conference. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG The Australian said: “We got a great reception and great welcome here. They’re there every day at the hotel as well. They came out tonight and I’m glad they got to see a few goals and the players they’ve admired from afar up-close. We’ve had a great welcome and it’s a great stadium to play football and the players have enjoyed it.” PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG The crowd erupted into vociferous cheers after 2021 Singapore Premier League champions Lion City Sailors opened the scoring in the 14th minute through Shawal Anuar. Belgian winger Maxime Lestienne’s cross was deflected into Shawal’s path and the Singaporean made no mistake from close range to the delight of their fans. Tottenham Hotspur equalised through a Kane penalty right before the half-time whistle. Half-time substitute Richarlison later delivered the goals the crowd were asking for, scoring two quick goals in the 48th and 52nd minute to establish a comfortable lead for his side. The Brazilian then had two goals disallowed before Giovani Lo Celso added a fourth for the English Premier League club in the 73rd minute. Richarlison later added the cherry on top by completing his hat-trick in stoppage time. Son added that the win will boost the team’s confidence as they conclude their pre-season preparations. The South Korean said: “I think the atmosphere was fantastic. The result is not important at the moment because we are getting our fitness back, and (figuring out) how we want to play is very important now. We scored four goals in the second half and it was really important to get our confidence up.” PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Lion City Sailors forward Shawal has named the goal as the highlight of his career so far. He said: “I’m definitely very happy, and I can’t express this feeling. It’s definitely a team goal. (This match was) a great experience for the team. This will build my confidence and the team’s confidence. We will try to build on and bring this momentum as we focus on our next Singapore Premier League game next week.” Head coach Aleksandar Rankovic also emphasised that the experience will help the club as it prepares for the upcoming AFC Champions League (ACL). He said: “We have gained a lot from this game. We’ve experienced the way that top opposition can play in terms of speed, physical power, tactical awareness, everything. This is a great learning match for my team. The guys gave their best… I was looking at this game as a learning process, something that we can apply in the ACL and build up from there.” PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Football fans can look forward to more enthralling action as the sizzling football fiesta continues with two matches featuring Premier League giants Liverpool FC. The Reds will defend their Standard Chartered Singapore Trophy against Leicester City FC on 30 July before facing Bundesliga champions FC Bayern Munich in the Singapore Trophy presented by Audi and Standard Chartered on 2 August. Tickets for the final match are selling fast with just 1,000 left. The Reds will also hold an Open Training Session on 29 July. Off the pitch, fans are encouraged to attend the Football Interactive Fanzone, which will be open on match days, Liverpool FC’s open training day, and 1 Aug prior to the Liverpool FC and FC Bayern Munich game. Fans will get the chance to meet club legends, giving them a once-in-a-lifetime moment with their football heroes. There will be photobooths, giveaways and performances, along with Q&A sessions with club legends. Fans can also meet the team mascots including Mighty Red of Liverpool FC and FC Bayern Munich’s Berni. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Tickets for the Singapore Festival of Football Driven by CDG Zig can be purchased here. #SportPlusSG #Football #SgFestivalOfFootball

Media friends, partners and brand ambassadors across Southeast Asia were introduced to the latest collections that featured state of the art product innovations designed to improve performance, across categories from sports to fashion PHOTO: ERIC CHEONG, SPORTPLUS.SG 24 July 2023, Singapore – ASICS launches their brand-new collections across product categories – Performance Running, Core Performance Sports, and ASICS SPORTSTYLE and Apparel – during its ASICS Autumn Winter 2023 Media Preview Day held in Bangkok, Thailand. Located at Urban Yard. The space was split into four distinct concepts to invite discovery of various ASICS collections, initiatives, and fringe activities. Media friends, partners and brand ambassadors including across the Southeast Asia region, from actors Tay Tawan, Pon Nawasch, Toey Pongsakorn, and Neng Sarun to ultra-marathoner Natalie Dau, Miss Universe 2019 Gazini Ganados and more were introduced to the latest collections that featured state of the art product innovations designed to improve performance, across categories from sports to fashion. PHOTO: ERIC CHEONG, SPORTPLUS.SG “ASICS is firmly rooted in the founding philosophy of “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body” in a bid to improve both the body and mind through movement in sports and exercises. The new Autumn Winter 2023 collection aims to inspire all within the community to move their bodies to positively impact their mental and physical health.” – Yogesh Gandhi, Managing Director of ASICS Southeast Asia To commemorate ASICS’ continued efforts towards sustainability at the AW23 Media Preview Day, the brand collaborated with Thai social activist turned artist WISHULADA, to create unique and purposeful art installations around the event space which utilises old ASICS footwear and apparel. This included the ASICS logo in an upcycled form to spotlight the brand’s lowest carbon emitting shoe, ASICS GEL-LYTE™ III CM 1.95. PHOTO: ERIC CHEONG, SPORTPLUS.SG Under the Performance Running category, guests were immersed in the brand’s philosophy of Sound Mind, Sound Body through new and improved the brand’s legacy models, including the GEL-CUMULUS 25, GEL-KINSEI MAX and GEL-KAYANO 30 that endeavor to enhance running performance. Most notably, guests were introduced to the latest 30th anniversary iteration of the ASICS GEL-KAYANO™ series - the GEL-KAYANO™ 30 – that is designed for a more comfortable and stable ride with the 4D GUIDANCE SYSTEM™. To put the shoe to the test, regional guests had the first-hand opportunity to participate in the GEL-KAYANO™ 30 Running Clinic held earlier in the day, that has been designed with stability-centric workouts while having the opportunity to learn about the shoe’s illustrious 30-year legacy. PHOTO: ERIC CHEONG, SPORTPLUS.SG Guests were also introduced to ASICS’ latest line-up in the Core Performance Sports category which shone a spotlight on the launch of the limited-edition GEL-RESOLUTION 9 Tennis Shoe in collaboration with high fashion house BOSS. Designed for Italian Tennis Champion Matteo Berrettini, the latest model combines ASICS’ advanced technology for baseline players with a sleek and modern design inspired by BOSS’ dapper house style. Moreover, ASICS’ ACTIBREEZE AW23 line-up is developed with advanced breathability for performance enhancement while the AW23 NAGINO Collection has been crafted for women to inspire body confidence and enable women to move undistracted and freely. In conjunction, ASICS also launched the Move Every Mind study, a global initiative to tackle exercise inequality and to push forward the messaging of the positive impact movement has on mental health benefits and function. PHOTO: ERIC CHEONG, SPORTPLUS.SG Housing the latest ASICS SPORTSTYLE launches is the ASICS SPORTSTYLE Café within the venue site. Trailblazing in the SPORTSTYLE category, the ASICS AW23 Collection combines form, function and fashion to put forth reimagined models of the GT-2160, JAPAN S ST and EX89. Through the eyes of fashion house Cecile Bahnsen, the ASICS GT-2160 harmonises everyday couture intricacies of hyper feminine form and embellishments fused with ASICS’ technical expertise. The JAPAN S ST model amps the iconic basketball silhouette with improved cushioning and modern properties, while the latest iteration of the EX89 flashes new colourways on top of the inaugural introduction last year. Shop new products from the ASICS Autumn Winter 2023 collection at ASICS stores, department stores, leading stores nationwide and via online at ASICS.COM. #ASICSSG #NothingFeelsBetter

Singaporean Duo Aloysius Gan and Yan Jia Yi captured the championship title in the BC3 Pairs event at the inaugural World Boccia Youth Championships in Portugal The Boccia Youth World Championships is taking place from 7 - 16 July 2023. PHOTO: SINGAPORE DISABILITY SPORT COUNCIL Varzim, Portugal, 14 July 2023 - Singaporean boccia athletes Aloysius Gan and Yan Jia Yi have etched their names in history by capturing the championship title in the BC3 Pairs event at the inaugural World Boccia Youth Championships. This follows resounding victories in their BC3 Individuals events, where Aloysius Gan emerged as the Champion in the BC3 Individuals (Male) category, and Yan Jia Yi claimed a well-deserved bronze medal in the BC3 Individuals (Female) category. Yan Jia Yi and Athlete Competition Partner, Chew Ziqun. PHOTO: SINGAPORE DISABILITY SPORT COUNCIL The highly anticipated World Boccia Youth Championships took place from 8th to 14th July in Povoa de Varzim, Portugal, featuring close to 50 aspiring youth athletes with disabilities from 12 nations. Aloysius and Jia Yi were accompanied by their competition partners, Eve Cher (who is also Aloysius’ mother), and Chew Zi Qun. This remarkable victory follows Aloysius's recent success at the ASEAN Para Games, where he secured a silver medal in the BC3 Individuals (Male) event. Reflecting on his achievements, Aloysius humbly stated, "I've chosen the right tactics and have been able to execute what I trained for in Singapore. After winning my first end, I had to maintain my composure and focus for the subsequent matches. I believe this is the key to winning the game." Jia Yi also expressed her excitement and gratitude, saying, "I am thrilled to have performed well and won the bronze medal in the BC3 Individuals (Female) event. I would like to thank Zi Qun jiejie (big sister) for her support throughout this competition." "We are incredibly proud of Aloysius and Jia Yi for their outstanding achievements," said Kelly Fan, Executive Director of the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC). Boccia athletes Aloysius Gan and Yan Jia Yi. PHOTO: SINGAPORE DISABILITY SPORT COUNCIL "They still have a long way to go, but this is a promising start. We were able to unearth their potential, thanks to a very supportive system at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore School, and Tiger Balm’s longstanding support for the boccia team’s training and competitions. We hope that more educational institutions and corporates will come forward to support our youths with disabilities, enabling them to realise their full potential through sport.” #SportPlusSG #Boccia #AloysiusGan