Athletes from the past join event marking rich heritage of Farrer Park

Many hold fond memories of training and competing at ex-sports hub early in careers

- Deepanraj Ganesan

Long before the swanky, state-of-the-art Singapore Sports Hub was built in Kallang, Farrer Park was the hub of sport.

From the 1940s to the 1980s, Farrer Park was where many of Singapore's sporting heroes worked tirelessly to become better and faster runners, jumpers, footballers and swimmers.

Facilities there included an athletics centre, boxing gym, swimming complex, football pitches, and tennis and squash courts.

Even as most of the facilities have made way for redevelopment works, Farrer Park continues to hold special memories for former athletes like Ms Theresa Goh, a para-swimmer who won a bronze at the 2016 Paralympic Games.

Ms Goh was among several Singapore athletes from the past and present who attended a sports carnival on Jan 4 at the multi-purpose hall at Block 14 Farrer Park.

Others included former national footballers Baihakki Khaizan, Lim Tong Hai, Steven Tan and Terry Pathmanathan, as well as para-swimmer Toh Wei Soong – many of whom have happy memories of training and competing in Farrer Park early on in their careers.