National Stadium Closing Ceremony

Yesterday, 30 June 2007, I went back National Stadium again for one last time with my secondary and poly classmates. This time round, we are back to witness 2 soccer matches (Singapore Ex-Intl vs Malaysia Ex-Intl of the Malaysia Cup legends & Singapore vs Australia) and also the official closing ceremony of the stadium. The total crowd at the stadium was about 45,000 which did not fully occupy the whole stadium.

We reached there around 4.50pm and secured the seats on the left side of the East Gate. We waited till 5.10pm for the 1st soccer match to start which features the soccer legends of Singapore Ex-Intl vs Malaysia Ex-Intl. In this match, Singapore former international such as V.Sundramoorthy, Quah Kim Song, David Lee etc were out for a friendly match with the Malaysian side. Singapore side was the first to score the goal in the first half, followed by the Malaysian side scoring the penalty kick in the second half, which ended up in a 1-1 draw eventually. The winner was then decided by the tossing of coin (funny rule) and the Singapore side still managed to get the winner. Haha

After that around 7.20pm, a few of the past sportsmen ran on the running track and the Ex-Singapore Track & Field Sprinter, Mr Kunala, ran up the centre stairs of the East Gate to light up the Cauldron with the flame for one last time for National Stadium. Quite a pleasant feeling for me, since it was my first & last time, witnessing the Cauldron been lighted up.

Following that at 7.30pm, the main soccer match started with the current Singapore Intl vs Australian side in an International Friendly. In the 1st half, the Lions side actually has 3 great chances to score the goal against the Australian but then the luck was not with us bah, which the goal line ended in a 0-0 draw at half time. I still remember one header nearly scored but hit the goal bar. During the break, the band from the Katong Secondary school, marched along the running track to give us some entertainment too.

Then in the 2nd half, the Australian side finally showed off their power and goaled 3 great goals eventually (2 goals by Viduka, 52’, 89’ & 1 goal by Kewell, 77’). In the end, the score line remained as 3-0 with no goals from the Lions, but then the Lions have done their best. Not to forget, the Singapore fans also did the Kallang Wave together one last time at the stadium. Ü

After this main match ended at around 9.30pm, the closing ceremony began with the lights from the 4 floodlight towers turned off and the stadium was in complete darkness. Later on, history of the stadium and the past events were shown on the 4 large white screens situated at the 4 corners of the stadium with the guidance of a host. Following that, the parade of the Singapore Athletes on the running track accompanied by performance from local singer, Kit Chan (陈洁仪) singing the song, Field of Dreams (if I did not guess the song name wrongly bah. Haha)

After the performance, our President S R Nathan finally declared our 34 years old stadium officially closed by dousing off the flame on the cauldron, followed by a short 2 min firework on the sky behind the East gate, as everyone watched the fireworks on the sky and capturing the last moment in the stadium. After that, we left the stadium at around 10pm while the others whom paid for extra ticket fee get to have an last event party at the stadium till 3am.

Lastly, farewell to our 34 years old National Stadium and this will eventually become part of the Singapore History in years to come, but I think the stadium will not be forgotten by many. Anyway, let us wait for the new sports hub to be completed having the new roof retractable stadium in 2011. cheers Ü

Here is an artcle on the closing ceremony

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/285455/1/.html

Below are some videos @ the National Stadium Closing Ceremony that I took:

1) Match of Singapore Ex. Intl vs Malaysia Ex. Intl & Singapore vs Australia
2) Kallang Wave
3) Parade of Athletes
4) Fireworks