Singapore Land Authority makes 284 state fields available for public use

Channel NewsAsia 10 Nov 07

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) is making 284 state fields available for public use, and more than half of them are located near housing estates and within easy reach of the public.

And the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has adopted one of the available fields – Farrer Park field – under a new programme.

Launching the "Adopt-A-Field" programme, Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs Professor Ho Peng Kee, who is also the president of FAS, hoped more companies will take up the cause to help maintain these open spaces.

In making these open spaces for the public, the SLA has also improved the ground conditions by turfing, levelling, compacting the soil, and installing new signs to remind the public to be careful when using the fields.

But Prof Ho stressed that these fields are not exclusive to soccer fans.

"It's for Singaporeans to be out there flying kite, playing frisbee. A field in Henderson is used by senior citizens for gateball. And I believe (the 284 state fields come) to a total space of 780 football fields. Especially for weekends (and) holidays… we hope Singaporeans will be out there with family and friends. And it's a way to bond the community," he said. - CNA/ac