Singapore Sports Hub Sponsor Great Eastern Hopes Complex Will Open On Time

Singapore Sports Hub sponsor Great Eastern "would have been pleased to hear" Sports Hub CEO Philippe Delavaud "give assurances that the 35-hectare venue, and its crown jewel the 55,000-capacity National Stadium will open on time," according to Shamir Osman of the NEW PAPER. Issues with the stadium's pitch and retractable roof "could mean the facility will not be ready in time for the first sports event scheduled there" -- the inaugural World Club 10s rugby competition on June 21 and 22. But Delavaud said that the retractable roof and the pitch "are on track." Delavaud: "The grass is seeded and growing, we have to stitch the grass with artificial grass, which will be done in the coming week. We have to complete the wide coverage of the movable roof, and this will be completed by the end of May. We do not need any incentive. We want to be ready, we want to open, and we are doing everything which is feasible to keep the momentum and the pace" (NEW PAPER, 5/3).