New Sports Hub Chief Executive wants to engage all Singaporeans
The Singapore Sports Hub has announced that its Chief Operating Officer Oon Jin Teik has been promoted to become the precinct’s new Chief Executive, replacing Manu Sawhney who departed the role last year.
Oon, a former national swimmer who competed at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, had been in his current role since 2014. Prior to that he was a senior executive for Hyflux from 2011 to 2014, and was the Chief Executive of national sports agency Singapore Sports Council - now Sport Singapore - from 2004 to 2010.
Speaking at a press conference this week to announce his appointment, Oon stated that the Singapore Sports Hub belongs to all Singaporeans and is vital to the sport and entertainment needs of the country.
As quoted by the Straits Times newspaper, Oon stated “our goal is to give everybody in the heartland something new to experience in the Sports Hub through a diverse portfolio of programming.”
He added that he believes the Sports Hub should continue to engage children, youth and adults, as well as families, seniors and the less privileged.
With the 55,000-seat National Stadium at its core, the Singapore Sports Hub last year hosted more than 200 events across all venues attended by 2.4 million people.
Events at the National Stadium included sold-out Coldplay concerts, a Singapore-Argentina international football friendly, and the International Champions Cup featuring top European teams Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
Completed in 2014, the $1.33 billion precinct also features the 12,000-capacity Singapore Indoor Stadium, the 6,000-seat OCBC Aquatics Centre, 3,000-seat multi-sport arena, as well as a 41,000 metre² retail space with leisure and commercial developments.
Oon added "our nation's largest public-private partnership of its kind has come a long way in establishing itself as the region's premier sports, entertainment and lifestyle destination.
"This is due in no small part to the passion and hard work of the Sports Hub Team and our partners, whose commitment towards building an icon of great national pride to Singapore inspires me daily.
"Ensuring that the Singapore Sports Hub remains fit for its purpose in an ever-changing playing field is key in our forward journey.
“Together, we will spare no effort to stay ahead of our game and score many more wins for Singapore."
Welcoming Oon’s appointment, in a role he has held in an acting capacity since May last year, Singapore Sports Hub Chairman Bryn Jones “(the board) had observed (him) Teik for some time and he is someone who is decisive, and he took on the role of a leader in a passionate and committed way. He has made it a personal passion and vocation to make the project a success."
Oon is also currently the secretary-general of the Singapore Swimming Association, after being elected to the post in June 2014.
Images: Oon Jin Teik (top), the National Stadium (middle) and the OCBC Aquatic Centre (below).
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