The Singapore Sports Museum, located at 6 Stadium Walk, is the first of its kind in Singapore.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB
As someone who doesn’t play much sport, it is not surprising that I’ve never set foot in the Singapore Sports Museum since it was built in 1983. So when I find out I’m going to hunt for rare exhibits among the 800 artefacts on display, I’m almost afraid to be shut in a semi-dark room for hours with piles of relics. How wrong I am. On entering the museum, I’m pleasantly surprised by the colourful, modern design and spacious layout.
The Singapore Sports Museum comprises eight galleries packed with 800 artefacts.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB
1. Olympic silver medal won by weightlifter Tan Howe Liang
I unearth my first major find in the third gallery I explore: an Olympic silver medal won by weightlifter Tan Howe Liang for lifting 380kg at the 1960 Games in Rome. It is the first medal won by a Singaporean at the Olympics, and an incredible piece of art. I take my time admiring the relief detailing, thrilled at the chance to get up close to the real deal.
Weightlifter Tan Howe Liang’s silver medal from the 17th Olympic Games, held in Rome in 1960.
PHOTO: RACHEL CHIA
2. Water polo legend Tan Hwee Hock’s swim trunks
In a display nearby, I spot an unusually-shaped exhibit, which turns out to be a pair of swim trunks belonging to water polo legend Tan Hwee Hock. This particular pair was worn during Singapore’s gold medal victory match at the 2nd Asian Games in Manila in 1954. (If you’ve ever wondered what 67-year-old swim trunks look like, here’s your answer.) Tan passed away recently aged 90 on Jan 26, 2021, and I get a bit sentimental thinking about his glory days.
Water polo star Tan Hwee Hock wore these swim trunks at the 2nd Asian Games, held in Manila in 1954.
PHOTO: RACHEL CHIA
3. Vintage Coca-Cola cans from the 17th SEA Games
The next gallery houses items from sporting events, including the Commonwealth and Asian Games. The star exhibit here is a set of 10 vintage Coca-Cola cans produced for the 17th SEA Games in 1993, each featuring a different Singapore athlete. I’m relieved to recognise at least one name: football star Fandi Ahmad. I can immediately imagine collectors drooling in front of the glass case housing this precious memorabilia.
Drool over these Coca-Cola “Go for Gold” commemorative cans from the 17th SEA Games in 1993.
PHOTO: RACHEL CHIA
4. Michael Jackson’s concert T-shirt
The adjacent section celebrates the old National Stadium, which used to host most of Singapore’s music concerts. It’s here I spot a display guaranteed to send many older Singaporeans on a nostalgia train right back to the ’90s: a Michael Jackson T-shirt from the King of Pop’s iconic 1993 Dangerous World Tour concert.
Fans of the late popstar Michael Jackson can admire his concert T-shirt from 1993.
PHOTO: RACHEL CHIA
5. Custom Air Jordans for the Singapore Sports Hub
The next apparel display I find propels us to 2014: a pair of custom-made Air Jordan CP3.VIIs bearing the Singapore Sports Hub logo colours and the words “Sports Museum” on the inner tongue. Limited edition? Sneakerheads will surely like this.
Custom Air Jordan CP3.VII from 2014 with the colours of the Singapore Sports Hub logo.
PHOTO: RACHEL CHIA
6. FIFA World Cup Adidas official match balls
Following the sneakers is a section dedicated mainly to soccer, a sport I know little about. Nevertheless, I have an unexpectedly good time comparing the unique designs on a series of FIFA World Cup Adidas official match balls, spanning games from 1970 to 2014. The latest match ball – from 2018 – sits solo on a nearby stand.
Check out the different designs on the official match balls from the FIFA World Cups over the years.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB
7. Football memorabilia from a die-hard Lions fan
I almost feel a surge of patriotic soccer pride as I inspect a case of memorabilia (caps, a jersey, scarves) belonging to Singapore Die-Hard Fans founder Mohammad Akbar Hashim, who’s apparently never missed a Lions match. Combined with the pictures of the Kallang Wave taken during the old National Stadium’s heyday, I can almost hear the Lions roar.
Singapore Die-Hard Fans memorabilia from 1990.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB
8. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s Gold Olympic Order
The final gallery is dedicated to the Olympics. It’s the most visually engaging, with exhibits dotted around a mini running track and astroturf. The shiniest thing in this gallery has to be Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s Gold Olympic Order, presented by the International Olympic Committee in honour of Singapore hosting the 2010 Youth Olympic Games. The Olympic Order is the highest award of the Olympic Movement, and is awarded for particularly distinguished contributions to the Olympic Movement.
The Gold Olympic Order presented to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in 2010 in honour of Singapore hosting the Youth Olympic Games.
PHOTO: RACHEL CHIA
The eighth gallery in the Singapore Sports Museum delves into the Olympics and Youth Olympic Games.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB
I’ll admit, I was doubtful at first that non-athletes could enjoy a sports-themed museum, but it turns out there is a surprising number of interesting, relatable – and frankly, extremely rare – vintage and modern treasures hidden in the galleries that even the average person can appreciate. Of course, there are also plenty of photos and sporting memorabilia to satisfy serious fans. It doesn’t hurt that entry to the museum is free for Singaporeans, so I’m even thinking of returning soon – this time, with football fans in tow.
The Singapore Sports Museum is open from 10am to 8pm on weekdays and 10am to 9pm on weekends, public holidays and the eve of public holidays. No booking is required. Bring along a valid photo ID for verification.
Note: Rachel Chia is a freelance writer with Singapore Press Holdings’ content marketing unit.
