WEEKLY ROUND-UP: Sports happenings in Singapore (11-17 Dec)

SINGAPORE — Here is a round-up of sports events and developments in Singapore in the past week (11 to 17 December):

Ko Jin-young will defend HSBC Women's World C'ship in S'pore

World No.6 women's golfer Ko Jin-young has confirmed that she will be defending her HSBC Women’s World Championship title at Sentosa Golf Club from 29 February to 3 March next year.

The two-time Majors champion won this year's edition by two shots over America’s Nelly Korda, carding a final-round 69 to clinch her 14th LPGA victory and become the first player in the Women's World Championship history to retain her title. The win also marked a return to the winner’s circle for the 27-year-old, who had struggled with a persistent wrist injury since the second half of 2022.

Tickets for next year's 16th edition are on sale. There is a special early bird offer with a 20 per cent discount on weekend and seasonal tickets, while the first 100 tickets to be purchased will receive an exclusive goodie Bag to be redeemed on-site.

The 72-hole stroke play tournament will once again be played on the renowned Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club, which hosts its 11th edition of the tournament.

Maximilian Maeder grabs 3rd kitefoiling world youth title

Singaporean kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder wrapped up a stellar 2023 season with his third successive Youth Sailing World Championships title in Buzios, Brazil, on Friday (15 December).

The 17-year-old Asian Games gold medallist swept to 13 race wins for a perfect 11-point score to trump China’s Huang Qibin (23 points) and Italy's Riccardo Pianosi (34).

Maeder, ranked No.6 in the world, kicked off the 2023 season with a World Cup Series title in April, before winning the Formula Kite Youth World Championships in July. In August, he claimed his first senior world title at the Sailing World Championships and followed up with a gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games in China in September.

No 2nd straight mixed doubles title for Terry Hee, Jessica Tan

Singapore badminton mixed doubles pair Terry Hee and Jessica Tan came up short in their second tournament final in as many weeks, losing to India's Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto 21-17, 19-21, 21-23 at the Odisha Masters in Cuttack, India, on Sunday (17 December).

The reigning Commonwealth Games gold medallists had won the inaugural Guwahati Masters last week, beating Denmark's Mads Vestergaard and Christine Busch to land the BWF Tour Super 100 title.

Coupled with winning November's Irish Open, they are the first titles won on the BWF Tour since winning the Commonwealth Games gold for the world No.23 pair.

Sailors, Cheetahs lose final matches in AFC competitions

Singapore Premier League clubs Lion City Sailors and Hougang United lost their final matches in their respective Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions over the past week.

On Wednesday (13 December), the Sailors were beaten 0-2 at the Jalan Besar Stadium by Hong Kong's Kitchee FC in their final AFC Champions League group-stage match. The reigning Singapore Cup winners finished their campaign with two wins and four defeats - including a shock 2-0 upset of K-League giants Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors - and could not advance to the next stage.

On Thursday, Hougang were thrashed 0-4 by Vietnam's Hai Phong in the final AFC Cup match at the Lach Tray Stadium. The Cheetahs finished bottom of their four-team group with three points from six matches.

Chris Chan re-elected as GEF president

Singapore National Olympic Council secretary-general Chris Chan has been re-elected as the president of the Global Esports Federation (GEF) on Tuesday (12 December) for another four-year term.

The Straits Times reported that the 73-year-old Singaporean, who first assumed the role in 2019, was elected unanimously for a second term at the 4th GEF general assembly ahead of the Global Esports Games in Riyadh.

During Chan's first term, over 100 athletes competed across 10 virtual sports in the inaugural Olympic Esports Week at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre in June this year.

Kidney Dialysis Foundation holds first charity futsal tournament

The Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF) held its first-ever charity futsal tournament, "Got to Goal 2023: Scoring As One Community", at The Kickoff@Kovan on Saturday (16 December). The event, featuring 36 teams, raised over $300,000 in funds raised to help needy kidney patients in Singapore.

Got To Goal 2023 welcomed participants from diverse backgrounds. The participation of the Singapore Special Olympics team, for example, symbolised the inclusive spirit of such sporting events.

Amid the futsal matches, more than 20 beneficiaries engaged in a folding paper stars session with Guest of Honour Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Social and Family Development. They collectively folded 300 paper stars, placing them inside a handcrafted football.

Team KNOCKOUT emerged as the first Got To Goal 2023 champions, winning $1,000 in prize money.

2XU Compression Run to return on 21 April

The 2024 edition of the 2XU Compression Run will be held on 21 April at the F1 Pit Building. The race categories will remain unchanged from this year's edition: 5km, 10km, and 21.1km.

For next year's event, organiser 2XU will reintroduce the race villages, while race entrants will receive a premium race pack, featuring a 2XU polo tee, running singlet and a finisher’s medal.

Registration is now open, inviting everyone aged 12 and above to secure their spot at the starting line. For additional information, follow on Facebook & Instagram at @2xurun.

Hospitality tickets for LIV Golf Singapore on sale

Hospitality tickets for the LIV Golf Singapore tournament - to be held at Sentosa Golf Club from 3 to 5 May - are on sale, as fans will be able to watch top golfers such as reigning US Masters champion Jon Rahm, who had recently signed with LIV Golf.

Fans are also encouraged to sign up for free to LIV X to receive updates and access on hospitality tickets and grounds passes for LIV Golf events.

The challenging Serapong Course will once again test the mettle of all LIV Golf’s players, as they make a return after the inaugural edition this year.

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