WEEKLY ROUND-UP: Sports happenings in Singapore (2-8 Jan)

SINGAPORE — Here is a round-up of sports events and developments in Singapore in the past week (2 to 8 January):

Harry Kane announced as AIA ambassador

AIA Group announced on Thursday (5 January) that Tottenham Hotspur striker and England captain Harry Kane has been appointed as an AIA ambassador.

Through the partnership, AIA will collaborate with the Harry Kane Foundation (HKF) to champion the importance of health and mental wellbeing. This campaign will commence with Harry’s self-produced animation titled "Harry Kane: Resilience" to promote the importance of positive thinking, self-belief and having the support of others.

“I am delighted to be appointed as an AIA Ambassador. I believe in the value of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and feel it is important to use my position to encourage people to look after their mental health," Kane said in a media release.

"I am looking forward to working closely with AIA and supporting the company’s efforts to improve the health of communities across Asia.”

AIA has been Tottenham’s global principal partner since 2013. The partnership has deepened engagement with AIA communities across the region, and its popular football clinics have benefitted 80,000 children.

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New Zealander golfer Ryan Fox has confirmed his participation in this year’s Singapore Classic with the DP World Tour set to return to Singapore for the first time since 2014.

The US$2 million Singapore Classic is a new addition to the DP World Tour this year and will be held from 9 to 12 February at Laguna National Golf Resort Club, which previously hosted the Singapore Masters from 2002 to 2007.

Fox will be making his first professional appearance on Singaporean soil, after finishing a career-high second on the DP World Tour Rankings after a fairy-tale season last year. The Kiwi won twice, and also recorded four runner-up finishes as he moved up to a career-high world No.23.

The DP World Tour first visited Singapore in 1993, with Major champions Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam winning the first editions of the Johnnie Walker Classic in 1993 and 1996. Fellow Major Champions Vijay Singh and Adam Scott are also winners on the DP World Tour in Singapore.

Single session tickets are available from $25, while a four-day event pass is priced at $80.

Over 100 participants in Break the Cycle SG year-end ride

More than 100 participants took part in Break the Cycle SG’s year-end ride “Countdown 202.3km Challenge” held on 17 December last year. A virtual option was also available from 17 to 31 December.

A 202.3km Finishers’ Dinner on Saturday (7 January) to celebrate the success of the event and to appreciate their volunteers and partners was attended by Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.

Designed as an endurance ride spanning over a distance of 202.3km, to represent the new year, the event promoted the message of reintegration of ex-offenders and inclusive cycling, by having participants, which included nine ex-offenders, work and journey alongside each other as one community to complete the challenge.

A total of 20 volunteers contributed to the smooth running of the event. The event also amplifies the “Beyond Second Chances'' (Yellow Ribbon Singapore) and “Be Kind Ride Safe” (Singapore Kindness Movement) messages and is supported by partners such as the CARE Network, Singapore Kindness Movement, Podium Performance (sports science advisor) and CycleXafe (jersey sponsor).

Elliot Wong, 11, wins Hong Kong chess event

Singaporean chess player Elliot Wong emerged as the champion of the individual competition at the Hong Kong Bauhinia U18 Chess Invitational on 30 December.

The 11-year-old finished ahead of the Philippines' Mark Joy Bacojo and South Korea's Yun Hun-gi, who placed first and second runner-up respectively. Elliot was also ranked third in the Blitz bowl category.

Organised by the Hong Kong Chess Federation, the tournament featured 22 junior players aged 10 to 17. It was divided into two parts: the main event (standard chess) and the friendly competition (blitz bowl).

The Philippines won the team championship of the main event, while South Korean player Isaak Huh became the champion of the express chess individual competition during the blitz bowl.

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