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.