Sports and Hobbies in Singapore
Singaporeans are sports oriented, readily taking part in different types of sports for competition and recreation. There are numerous ovals, stadiums and gymnasiums which sustain and improve the sporting prowess of Singaporeans throughout the year. For the less active, hobbies abound.
Popular sports and facilities
There is an abundance of playing space for both outdoors and indoor sports.
Outdoor sports
The main sports in Singapore are football (soccer), cricket, rugby union, swimming, badminton, basketball, cycling and table tennis. All these sports are played outdoors on ovals, stadiums or for less formal competition, in nearby parks
The most popular spectator sport is soccer. The country has its own football league, S League, which is made up of 10 teams that travel around the country and compete with each other. The national team thrice won the Tiger Cup competition of Southeast Asia in 1998, 2004 and 2007.
The country is surrounded by the ocean, and residents enjoy many water activities such as sailing, kayaking and water skiing.
Dragon boat racing is a national pastime with several clubs and teams that compete regularly.
In addition to surface activities, some have even taken themselves below the sea surface for scuba diving- the southern island of Pulau Hangu, known for its picturesque coral formations.
Indoor sports
The majority of residents in Singapore live in public residential areas that are well provided with swimming pools, outdoor basketball courts, as well as indoor sports centers that provide facilities for playing indoor games such as badminton, squash, table tennis, gymnastics, basketball, volleyball and other sports.
Hobbies
A visitor to Singapore may have certain hobbies nurtured from home, but there is always room to improvise and diversify hobbies and enjoy them while visiting Singapore.
Available hobbies
There are gourmet cooking classes, where cooking experts can impart their knowledge of cooking skills on local foods. The acquired skills can be further developed by the visitor after returning home.
Similarly there are many places for learning how to make local crafts where a visitor can begin to learn how to make local handicrafts using local material and skills from local experts. Learners are taught how to make local tapestry, handicrafts, mats, fans, baskets and the like.
If the visitor is inclined to more inebriating experience, there are opportunities galore for taking part in wine tasting activities around the island.
For the young there is street soccer, played to pass the time nearly each day by members of the local young community.
For the more adventurous, a wander inside a fortuneteller’s tent to have fortunes revealed instantly and satisfy a deep seated yearning for understanding past and futuristic occurrences, is a must.
Learning how to assemble and arrange flowers is yet another pastime that may prove rewarding. For this experience the visitor can join existing companies that can offer expert assistance and training.