Sport is a highly valued activity and regarded as one of the most favourite pastimes in Singapore. People all over the state like to play and watch their favourite sports events.
The island is home to some of the best sports facilities in the region, and its players are also among the best in the area. Over the years, Singapore has participated in numerous sports events and bagged many prizes, including its first gold medal, which was won for swimming in 2016 by Joseph Schooling.
The popularity of various sports has grown so much over time that it has become an inherent part of the lifestyle for many. Singaporean parents encourage their youngsters to take part in various sports from an early age to develop their interests and hone their skills.
That being said, let’s look at the five most popular sports in Singapore.
Football In Singapore
Like most countries in the world, football happens to be the most popular sport in Singapore as well. It is also recognised as the national sport of the island. Although the country’s national team has not fared that well on the international front, the local clubs are very well-developed, and there is a lot of focus on training and practice. Even the country’s men’s and women’s national football teams are subjected to scrutiny before the final selection.
The national teams actively participate in international events while the regional football teams in the state compete against each other. The games draw a large number of spectators who watch the matches with avid interest and follow the progress.
Baseball In Singapore
The second most popular sport in Singapore is baseball. In Singapore, the baseball and Softball Association governs baseball and softball and monitors the activity related to these sports. The Singapore national teams regularly participate in competitions taking place in Asia and other parts of the world.
Both baseball and softball have different teams, which are ascertained after categorising players according to gender and age. Baseball and softball have a huge fan base among the locals and are played on a large scale. The Singapore Baseball and Softball Association registers teams from various schools, colleges, and other organisations. These regional teams play mostly during the weekend.
Golf In Singapore
You may be surprised to see golf as among the most popular sport in the country, but the reality is that golf is, in fact, the third most popular sport in Singapore. Singaporeans love their golf clubs and the sport in general, and currently, the island is home to more than 80,000 active golf players who love to play the sport in the well-designed and well-equipped private and public golf course facilities in the area.
Singapore is home to some of the best golf courses in the region, whether public or private. These golf courses are beautiful with water, lush greenery, fauna, and scenic sights that make playing golf so much fun and relaxing.
However, golf is not open to the public, but if you want to try your hand at the sport, you can register and play even if you are a foreigner in the country. For many residents, it is the most loved sport and their favourite pastime on the weekend is to visit the course with their family or friends and have a good time.
Basketball In Singapore
Singapore is home to some of the region’s best men’s and women’s basketball players. The basketball teams have displayed impressive performance, and their participation makes the games very exciting.
The national teams have managed to win three bronze medals at the South East Asian Games in 1979, 2013, and 2015 respectively. The team also won bronze twice, in 2001 and 2013, in the ASEAN Basketball Championship.
This has led to an increased interest in basketball among the locals, particularly the younger generation who enjoy playing the sport as a recreational activity. The sport is quite exciting to play, including many techniques like dribbling, twists, and scoring in a short time or from a long range. Hence the youngsters like to show their playing prowess to their peers and improve their skills at the same time. Presently, Singapore is home to more than 2,000 licensed basketball players.
Volleyball In Singapore
Last but not least, the fifth most popular sport in Singapore is volleyball. The sport is quite similar to basketball and is very popular among youngsters. Singapore has not only a national volleyball team for men and women but also various teams at school, college, and institution levels that compete against each other. Meanwhile, the national teams play against other national teams in the region.
The sport is governed by the Volleyball Association of Singapore, which was formed in 1961.
These are the five most popular sports in Singapore, but the list does not end here. Sports like tennis, cricket, polo, swimming and horse racing in Singapore are also widely popular and enjoy a huge fan base in the country.
FAQs
What is the most popular sport in Singapore?
Certainly, I understand that the first version resonated more with you. In Singapore, sports play a significant role both recreationally and competitively. Singaporeans participate in a wide array of sports, including football, swimming, track and field, basketball, rugby union, badminton, table tennis, and cycling. However, football is arguably the most popular spectator sport in the country. Singapore has its own professional football league known as the Singapore Premier League, which was launched in 1996. The league consists of nine teams, including one based in Brunei. The Singapore national football team has also been champions in the AFF Championship multiple times.
Given its island city-state status, water sports like swimming, water polo, sailing, kayaking, rowing, and waterskiing are also quite popular among Singaporeans. Many public residential areas provide amenities like swimming pools and outdoor spaces for sports, further encouraging an active lifestyle.
In summary, while Singaporeans engage in a variety of sports, football stands out as the most popular sport, both for participation and as a spectator event.
What sport is Singapore good at?
When it comes to excelling in sports, Singapore has a notable presence in both regional and international competitions. The country has performed exceptionally well mainly in swimming, badminton, table tennis, bowling, sailing, water polo, sepak takraw, and silat. In the realm of swimming, Singapore made headlines when Joseph Schooling won the first gold medal for the country in the 2016 Rio Olympics, defeating the renowned American swimmer Michael Phelps.
Football is another area where Singapore has shown prowess. The national football team has been champions in the AFF Championship, the premier football competition in Southeast Asia, multiple times. The Singapore Premier League, the top professional football league in the country, also serves as a platform for nurturing local talent.
In addition to these, Singapore has amassed a significant number of medals at the Asian Games, including 41 gold, 59 silver, and 117 bronze medals. The government also plays a role in promoting sports excellence through various programmes and the establishment of the Singapore Sports School, which combines academic curriculum with professional sports training.
Thus, in terms of top sports, swimming and football stand out, while badminton and table tennis are also sports where Singapore has gained recognition. These famous sports in Singapore not only serve as a source of national pride but also as a testament to the country’s investment in nurturing sporting talent.
What is the national sport of Singapore?
While Singaporeans participate in a wide variety of sports for both recreation and competition, the country does not have a de jure national sport. However, football is arguably the most popular spectator sport in Singapore. The Singapore Premier League, the country’s own professional football league, was launched in 1996 and consists of nine teams, one of which is based in Brunei. The Singapore national football team has also been champions in the AFF Championship, the premier football competition in Southeast Asia, multiple times.
Singapore has performed well in both regional and international competitions, particularly in sports like swimming, badminton, table tennis, bowling, sailing, water polo, sepak takraw, and silat. The country has won a total of one gold, two silver, and two bronze Olympic medals, and has also amassed a significant number of medals at the Asian Games.
In summary, while Singapore does not have an official national sport, football is widely considered the most popular and is often referred to as the unoffical national sport of Singapore.
