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FOR Singapore to be have a $2 billion-a-year sports industry by 2015, it needs to be a bustling metropolis that lives and breathes sport 24 hours a day.

And The Straits Times was given a sneak peek into the country’s future sporting landscape yesterday by the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) chief executive officer Oon Jin Teik.

‘The sports industry in 2015 will look very different from what it is today,’ he said.

‘It will consist of multiple sectors - manufacturing, retail and merchandising, media and broadcasting, professional services, education and training, sports science and medicine and sports recreation.

‘These sectors are needed to develop a holistic, self-sustaining ecosystem for the sports industry.’

The signs appear to be good, with a flurry of marquee events making their way to Singapore.

Heading the list is the inaugural Youth Olympic Games, which will be the biggest global sports event hosted by the Republic.

With big events like September’s SingTel Formula One Grand Prix, the 2009 Junior Hockey World Cup and the 2009 Volvo Ocean Race to follow, Singapore sport is experiencing unprecedented growth.

In 2001, the sports industry was worth just $680 million. By 2004, that figure was $696 million. There was a huge leap a year later, with the sports business sector contributing $796million to the country’s economy.

The statistics show that the industry appears to be well on track for ‘Goal 2015′.

The SSC has a three-pronged plan to put sports business into overdrive, Oon revealed.

‘First, we will grow our portfolio of sports events, which will create mini-ecosystems of suppliers, service providers and supporting industries,’ he said.

‘We will also initiate key sports infrastructure projects like the Sports Hub and Changi Motor racetrack. These will create spin-offs in a wide range of industries, such as construction and professional services.’

The third thrust, he said, is to team up with the Economic Development Board, Media Development Authority and Singapore Tourism Board to develop the various sports sectors.

Part of the plan is to attract sports business companies to set up shop here.

The SSC is working with the EDB to tap its tax incentives, grants and other programmes.

By 2015, some 20,000 new jobs could also be created in the thriving sports-related industries - on top of the current figure of 14,000.

These jobs could be found in sports manufacturing, sports research and development, as well as the retail and merchandising of sports apparel and equipment.

Oon added that there will be opportunities for Singaporeans in areas like sports journalism, sports events management, sports public relations, sports psychology, sports science and even sports legal services.

And when packaged alongside other services such as sports medicine, Singapore could be an all-in-one hub for athletes, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Community Development, Youth and Sports), Teo Ser Luck.

‘We want athletes to come here, take part in all kinds of events and then maybe get a massage at our sports wellness centres,’ he said. ‘We want to be a one-stop city when it comes to sports.’

Source : Straits Times - 19 Apr 2008