The urban sporting scene in Singapore has seen rapid growth, as showcased by the inaugural Singapore Urban Sports & Fitness Festival’s success. The festival, held from August 23 to September 1 across multiple locations, attracted more than 70,000 participants and spectators. This attendance far exceeded expectations, according to Roy Teo, chief of industry development at national agency Sport Singapore’s (SportSG) technology and innovation group.
The festival featured 22 unique events, including BMX riding, parkour, and callisthenics, which showed the increasing interest in urban sports. Notably, a dance exhibition event at the Singapore Expo drew significant attention, as it showcased 30 promising talents selected from across Singapore. This included Phoebe Lim, a 21-year-old dance enthusiast and undergraduate at the Singapore Institute of Management, sharing her incredible dance skills and energy on a grand stage for the first time.
The significant turnout and popularity of the festival marked an increase in urban sports in Singapore over the years, noted Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth. SportSG aims to continue propelling the growth of urban sports, making them part of the island nation’s sporting culture, said Teo. The educational sector is also partnering with the athletes to develop the genre, especially schools that have introduced parkour as co-curricular activity, further contributing to the increase in interest.
Singapore’s urban sports scenario is also gaining commercial traction. For instance, the September 7-8 Wee Nam Kee 3×3 Cup, a three-on-three basketball tournament, attracted more than 80 teams, a three-fold increase since 2021, according to Esther Quek, CEO of media and event organizer Jumpshot Singapore. Similarly, another highlight was the Hyrox global fitness competition, which on average attracted 6,000 participants per event and plans to hold two more editions in Singapore in 2025, according to country manager William Petty.
Sportsgroups are keen on fostering talent and providing opportunities to increase international exposure for athletes. But Isabelle Tay, Communication Manager of Singapore DanceSport Federation (SGDF) highlighted that the high cost associated with such training and operations is a challenge awaiting solution. However, the positive response from the public is a significant encouragement, specifically spotlighting urban sports like DanceXhibit at the Singapore Urban Sports Fitness Festival. This exposure will ultimately pave the way for more government funding towards the development of urban sports in Singapore, hoped Tay.
Singapore, as a modern city-state with dense architecture, is a hotbed for urban sports. Parkour enthusiasts worldwide are drawn due to its close-knit walls and ledges, says Faiz Saifulrohman, President of Parkour Singapore. With easy access to MRT stations and proximity to a sheer number of gyms, Singapore provides an excellent environment for urban sports.
As urban sports gain prominence and cap the global stage, concerns arise about the preservation of their unique and spontaneous nature. These activities often involve free expression through the environment in ways that are not pre-planned. Introducing competitions and events may risk curtailing creativity due to more rules and constraints. Therefore, urban sport enthusiasts emphasize the need for free organization of these events without compromising their culture.
In conclusion, Singapore’s urban sports scene, from dancing to 3×3 basketball, is growing in popularity, managing to attract a variety of participants, from enthusiasts to professionals. Moving forward, attention should be paid to preserving the unique and spontaneous nature of these sports while continuously supporting their growth and development. With the appropriate support and exposure, Singapore holds great promise in becoming a central hub for urban sports.
