This International Women’s Day, The Kallang turns the spotlight on the women shaping our world across Sports, Entertainment, Community and Lifestyle. In the first two stories of the series, we featured the rise of Welsh table tennis star Anna Hursey and the journey of local singer-songwriter Jill-Marie Thomas — each carving their own path through resilience, passion and purpose.
Next, we turn to Alicia Lim, a marketing intern driven by the legacy of female sporting icons and a desire to help tell bolder, more inclusive stories in sport.
Finding Inspiration
One such role model is recently-crowned Winter Olympics figure skating team gold medallist Alysa Liu’s who returned from her 2022 retirement in style with a 2025 world title followed by her Olympic triumph.
“Her return story really resonated with me and taught me that there will always be a place for you in your sport,” Alicia said.
The accomplished skater’s remarkable return serves as a poignant reminder for Alicia, who just concluded her 6-month stint with The Kallang earlier this February.
As she wraps up this internship, her final module as a Year Three Marketing student at Temasek Polytechnic, the experience has only “made me even more curious about the different career paths I can take in the industry,” she shares, as she sets her sights on returning in the future.
Behind the Scenes of World-Class Sporting Events
The student-athlete was drawn to the internship opportunity due to her “keen interest in sports and entertainment events”.
And at The Kallang Group, she enjoyed a behind-the-scenes, first-hand look at what it takes to deliver large-scale sporting and entertainment events.
Having played basketball since she was 8, one of the highlights of the 20-year-old’s time at The Kallang Group was when she worked on the 2025 FIBA Intercontinental Cup.
“It was a really special experience for me… As someone who has watched the FIBA Intercontinental Cup since 2023, it was very exciting to be a part of the event. I got to see the on-ground work the marketing team did, from liaising with the different media agencies to carrying out shoots.”
“The hands-on experience allowed me to take away a lot of new insights into the industry, and I really got to see for myself how all the different individuals and teams come together just to promote and run the event.”
Balancing Internship Life and the Court
While juggling her internship commitments, basketball has not taken a backseat for Alicia, who trained two to three times a week with her school team while occasionally taking to the street courts to practise.
She eventually won the POL-ITE Games with her Temasek Polytechnic team while clinching a credible fourth-placed finish in the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic Games.
Aside from learning the importance of “simply showing up” through her 12-year commitment to the sport, Alicia’s experience as a student-athlete has also helped shape the way she approaches her role in the marketing team.
“I approach marketing and storytelling in a more natural and candid way. Currently, I feel that there are many media outlets out there that place a strong emphasis on the glory and big achievements of sports and athletes, especially in Singapore,” she said. “However, I think the most interesting part of athletes and teams is the long-term journey of how they got to where they are.
“There are many raw emotions and moments that go beyond the podium, and having experienced them myself gives me more perspective on how we can position these stories for others.”
Shining a Light on Women’s Sport
One area she acknowledges as having “room for growth” is the representation of women in sport, though she notes that a wave of media attention, exemplified by athletes such as Caitlyn Clark and Paige Bueckers from the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), have helped shift that in recent years.
“In recent years, I’ve definitely noticed greater representation of women in sport, particularly through media coverage. It’s encouraging to see female athletes being recognised for their achievements and dedication.
“That said, there is still room for growth. I hope to see more opportunities created locally, such as additional women’s tournaments, so female athletes have more platforms to showcase the hard work they put into their sport.”
And so, Alicia hopes to be a part of shaping the future of sport, using her marketing knowledge and skills to highlight the many stories of sportspeople that deserve to be told.
“I’m excited to build on the experience and knowledge I’ve gained, and to continue learning more about the industry in the future.”
“I would like to work towards being able to influence the next generation of athletes, be it through coaching or using platforms to inspire them.”
A Message for the Next Generation
Ahead of International Women’s Day, Alicia hopes to drill home the message that “there will always be space for you in every sport”
“I believe that the most important thing is to continue showing up, training hard, and improving on your own game. Don’t let those moments of self-doubt get to you and just keep on going!”
Returning to The Kallang as a Fan
Alicia plans to return to the precinct for another FIBA 3x3 tournament, April’s Asia Cup, in a different capacity, this time as a patron.
Having experienced first-hand what it means to be part of the team, she will have a deeper appreciation of the intensity and preparation required while she watches the action from the stands.
This April, join Alicia and thousands of fans as The Kallang comes alive once again with world-class basketball, electric energy, and the shared thrill of sport. Stay tuned for more updates on FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup, and be part of the next chapter of unforgettable moments at the precinct.
And as we continue our International Women’s Day series, keep a lookout for more stories of women across Sports, Entertainment, Community and Lifestyle — each one inspiring new possibilities, breaking boundaries, and shaping the future in their own way.
