Listen to our news commentary podcasts on the go every week.

Podcasts have become part of the global media landscape these days. The audio-on-demand format allows many listeners to often do other chores or hobbies, while hearing the shows in the background over headphones or bluetooth speakers

Almost every weekday, check out our discussions on Singapore current affairs and social issues, geopolitics through an Asian lens, health, climate change, personal finance and career.

Follow our shows on your favourite audio apps Apple Podcasts, Spotify or even ST’s app, which has a dedicated podcast player section.

Trailer narrated by: Podcast editor Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg); edited by: Elsa Goh

Discover more ST podcast channels:

'All-in-one' ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Headstart On Record: https://str.sg/wB2m

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Wheel Insights: https://str.sg/iTtE

ST Podcasts website: https://www.straitstimes.com/st-podcasts

(*New) The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

Special edition series:

Green Trails (4 eps): https://str.sg/bMyx

This series clinched the gold award for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Asia 2025 on April 23, organised by the World Association of News Publishers (Wan-Ifra).

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

This series clinched the gold award for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Asia 2024 in April, and third place for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Worldwide 2024, both organised by Wan-Ifra.

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

This series also won The Best Podcast/Digital Audio Project category at the 2022 Digital Media Awards Asia, organised by Wan-Ifra.

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#stpodcasttr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Two Singaporeans share their experiences working for Red Bull racing.

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month.

The 2024 Singapore Grand Prix returns on Sept 22 when fans here witness exhilarating action over 62 laps of the 4.94-kilometre Marina Bay Street Circuit. And while the title race between Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris heats up on track, The Straits Times’ Hard Tackle revs up for the race weekend by learning more about what happens behind the scenes at a F1 team.

In this episode, sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by Singaporeans Charis Chua and Heng Yi-Hsin, students from Nanyang Technological University who look back on their 2½-month stint with Red Bull Racing and look ahead to the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.

Highlights (click/tap above):

5:30 Finding out about winning the internship challenge to work for Red Bull Racing

7:45 What Yi-Hsin and Chua did during their stints with RB

11:25 Why Formula 1 is more than just about fast cars and the famous drivers

13:30 The standout moments from the internship with RB

18:30 Looking ahead to 2024 Singapore Grand Prix

Read: https://str.sg/LtoJ

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles: https://str.sg/ip4G

Catch visual snippets of the podcast from ST's sports Instagram page: https://str.sg/vn2F

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg) and Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

Follow Hard Tackle every month here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#hardtackle

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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ST sports reporters and the SG bronze medalist look back at memorable moments in the Paris Olympics.

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month.

History was made on Aug 9, 2024, when kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder became Singapore’s youngest Olympic medallist after he clinched a bronze in the Formula Kite event.

In this episode, ST's sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondent Kimberly Kwek for a look back on that historic moment while also assessing the Paris Games as a whole and Team Singapore’s overall performance.

We also bring you the full audio from ST’s conversation with Maximilian a day after his final race.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:25 ST reporters talk about the mood on the ground at the Marseille Marina after Max won bronze

7:10 ST reporters discuss what is next for Max

15:25 Max surprised he has yet to receive negative messages

23:55 Max on why “connection” is the main takeaway from his debut Olympics

Read: https://str.sg/AsCE

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles: https://str.sg/ip4G

Read Rohit Brijnath's articles: https://str.sg/wFu2

Read Kimberly Kwek's articles: https://str.sg/bWY9

Catch visual snippets of the podcast from ST's sports Instagram page: https://str.sg/vn2F

Produced by: Rohit Brijnath (rohitb@sph.com.sg), Kimberly Kwek (kimkwek@sph.com.sg) and Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg)

Edited by: Amirul Karim

Follow Hard Tackle every month here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#hardtackle #hardtackletr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Singaporeans who have been to Olympics tell us why it is so important.

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month.

Whether you are an athlete or a sports enthusiast, it is clear that the Olympics hold a special place in hearts worldwide.

From historic achievements to record breaking feats, the Olympics serve up some unforgettable moments every four years. As Paris 2024 approaches, we enlisted the help of people who have been to the Olympics to tell us why the event captures the imagination the way it does.

In this special episode centred around the Olympics, sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath, former national sprinter C. Kunalan, former national shooter Lee Wung Yew, and current national swimmer Quah Ting Wen as they discuss the significance of the Games.

(This episode was recorded before it was confirmed on July 8 that Ting Wen will not compete in the Paris Olympics)

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:15 What did the Olympics mean growing up?

11:25 C. Kunalan’s memory of his first Olympics representing Singapore

17:33 Ting Wen on her realisation of being at her first Olympics

19:40 Why the Olympics is so inspiring for athletes

23:20 How do athletes wear the pressure of the Games given it comes around only every four years? Why parents should be a safe space for their children who pursue sports

29:30 On the mismatch of expectations of Singaporeans when it comes to the Olympics

37:26 Guests’ favourite Olympics moment

Read: https://str.sg/5Wn3

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg), Amirul Karim, Hadyu Rahim and Hana Chen

Filmed by: Marc de Souza, Haziq Baharudin, Vikneshwaran Rao, ST Video

Edited by: Amirul Karim

Follow Hard Tackle every month here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles: https://str.sg/ip4G

Catch visual snippets of the podcast from ST's sports Instagram page: https://str.sg/vn2F

Discover more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#hardtackle

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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What does it take for parents to nurture an athlete who wants to reach sport’s pinnacle?

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month.

The Olympics is just around the corner and come July, several Team Singapore athletes will fly the flag for the Republic in Paris. Two of them, kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder and Singapore kayaker Stephenie Chen will make their Olympics debut.

Beyond their individual hustle to get to sports’ grandest stage, Maeder's and Chen’s journey to the Olympics has been helped by their families' relentless support.

In this episode, Maximilian’s parents Valentin Maeder and Hwee Keng and Michael Chen and Sarah-Yvonne, parents of Stephenie, join sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan to talk about how they have supported their children’s aspirations.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:00 Did Maximilian Maeder's and Stephenie Chen’s parents have sporting backgrounds that influenced their kids?

13:10 Is there a point in which parents build a roadmap to sporting success?

17:40 Why is there a need to trust the experts and coaches as opposed to intervening?

21:12 Making sacrifices for your children when they pursue sports

26:28 Why parents should be a safe space for their children who pursue sports

35:00 Reacting to naysayers who say there is no future in sports

Read: https://str.sg/DMK2

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg), Eden Soh and Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

Follow Hard Tackle every month here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles: https://str.sg/ip4G

Catch visual snippets of the podcast from ST's sports Instagram page: https://str.sg/vn2F

Discover more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

hardtackle

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Join in this passionate post mortem of the recently concluded 2023/24 English Premier League season.

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month.

As the dust settles on another thrilling English Premier League (EPL) season, the post-campaign analysis has begun at the Hard Tackle.

ST Sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan and guest co-host Zia-ul Raushan - assistant program director for Money FM 89.3 - invited nine die-hard EPL fans and renowned sports presenter John Dykes to dissect the highs and lows of their favourite teams, reflect on the past season's triumphs and tribulations and eagerly anticipate what lies ahead.

Is there a world after Jurgen Klopp for Liverpool, and can we talk about Manchester City’s title win without mentioning their alleged breaches?

Will Arsenal return for another tilt at the title next season? We discuss all that and more on this special end-of-season podcast.

Highlights (click/tap above):

5:30 Has Manchester City’s title celebrations been overshadowed by Premier League’s 115 breaches of regulations?

12:44 After finishing second again, can Arsenal continue to challenge for the title next season?

15:04 Do fans agree with Phil Foden being crowned player of the season?

20:55 How are Liverpool fans feeling after the emotional final day farewell to Jurgen Klopp?

32:45 On Aston Villa balancing Europe and Premier League next season

45:57 Will Newcastle be able to hold on to their key assets?

55:17 Erik ten Hag: In or out?

Watch the full video podcast here: https://str.sg/cbY4

Read: https://str.sg/7aUq

Hosted & produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg), Zia-ul Raushan (raushan@sph.com.sg)

Filmed in: Studio+65

Edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Hard Tackle every month here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles: https://str.sg/ip4G

Catch visual snippets of the podcast from ST's sports Instagram page: https://str.sg/vn2F

Discover more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

hardtackle

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Diving into women’s football in Singapore

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month.

In this episode of Hard Tackle, we look at the state of women’s football in Singapore and what the Republic needs to do to improve its standards.

In the Lionesses’ most recent international friendlies, they suffered 3-0 and 8-0 defeats by Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) kicked off on March 9 but lacklustre field conditions at the Choa Chua Kang stadium caused much frustration and anger to players, coaches and fans.

Join ST Sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan, current women’s footballer Sara Merican, former national captain Charmaine Lim and former national footballer Chris Yip-Au who is now with Seychelles Football Federation as its head of women’s football and women’s national team coach.

They explore the current issues in women’s football and what the future holds for the ladies.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:45 How Yip-Au, Sara and Lim were introduced to football in the early days

9:55 Has access to information on women’s football increased in recent years?

18:50 What is needed for countries including Singapore to progress up the rankings in women’s football?

19:55 How do national team players balance work or school with playing football and get that aspect be improved or helped?

30:15 Discussion on the facilities in the WPL

Read: https://str.sg/d3CE

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg) & Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

Follow Hard Tackle every month here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles: https://str.sg/ip4G

Catch visual snippets of the podcast from ST's sports Instagram page: https://str.sg/vn2F

Discover more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

hardtackle

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Did Singapore let its golden boy down in any way?

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month.

In this episode of Hard Tackle, we delve into the lessons from the recent retirement of Singaporean swimming sensation Joseph Schooling on April 2, 2024, at just 28 years of age.

Join ST Sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan and assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath as they host two guests - Singapore Aquatics president and former national swimmer Mark Chay and two-time Olympian David Lim.

They explore the implications of Schooling's decision and discuss how Singapore can draw valuable lessons from his meteoric rise to the 100m butterfly gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics and his struggle after that historic win.

Could the Singapore sports ecosystem have done more for Schooling?

Is there a conversation about national service and high performance athletes and crucially, who will be Singapore swimming’s next superstar after Schooling?

We ask the hard questions, the guests respond, and now it is time for you to listen in on our debate.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:00 Rohit Brijnath on how he felt after speaking to Schooling about his retirement

12:10 Why retirement was the better option for Schooling rather than going for success at regional competitions?

14:05 Could there have been better support for Schooling?

22:30 On how Singapore can do better in drawing on the knowledge, experience and ups and downs of our successful athletes

28:40 Why we need to have a closer look at how Schooling became a success

34:00 Will stakeholders have a conversation about NS and its impact on athletes?

Listen to our earlier episode with Joseph Schooling himself: https://str.sg/LFUG

Read: https://str.sg/JJJQF

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg) & Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

Follow Hard Tackle every month here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles: https://str.sg/ip4G

Catch visual snippets of the podcast from ST's sports Instagram page: https://str.sg/vn2F

Discover more ST podcast channels:

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

hardtackle

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Hear the tough questions posed to our sports stars or authorities in our studio, and how they react.

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month.

The Straits Times' sports podcast has been around for the past few years, in different formats - from Game Of Two Halves, to Sports Talk, and now...the Hard Tackle.

We've found that this format has worked the best for us, and the harder the tackle, the more our listeners come back for more.

Host Deepanraj Ganesan's boyhood Manchester United hero Roy Keane would be so proud to hear this.

He will engage guests from the local or foreign sports community as ST looks at the biggest talking points in sport.

Catch back episodes of Hard Tackle:

Olympic champ Joseph Schooling in his own words as he retires

The Lions’ Tsutomu Ogura era is underway

New Lions head coach Tsutomu Ogura talks his vision for SG football

Catch visual snippets of the podcast from ST's sports Instagram page: https://str.sg/vn2F

Connect with Deepan on X to give him your ideas/feedback: https://str.sg/wtra

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg) & Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

Follow Hard Tackle every month here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Deepan's articles:https://str.sg/ip4G

Discover more ST podcast channels:

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

hardtackle

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Eight years after his stunning success at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Singapore’s greatest athlete has called time on his career.

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month.

In this special episode, we bring you an excerpt of assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath’s interview with Singapore’s Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling.

The swimmer who won the 100m butterfly gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics called time on his career on April 2.

Listen to Schooling as he looks back on his career with honesty and relives the moment he stunned the world and put Singapore on the sporting map.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:13 Schooling on how life changed after the 2016 Olympic gold

7:20 What was it like to deal with the cannabis saga that put Schooling in the headlines again?

8:00 Is it fair to have expectations on sportsmen to have a certain level of responsibility in how they conduct themselves?

11:04 How Schooling felt on the day he made history

15:11 When did Schooling realise he had won that historic race?

What Singapore can learn from Schooling's retirement: https://str.sg/Mor8

Read: https://str.sg/JJJQF

Produced by: Rohit Brijnath (rohitb@sph.com.sg) & ST Video

Edited by: Amirul Karim

Follow ST Sports Talk every month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Rohit Brijnath's articles: https://str.sg/wFu2

Discover more ST podcast channels:

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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Can the Lions roar under Ogura?

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month.

In this episode of Hard Tackle, Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by former Singapore international Noor Ali and Singapore Premier League commentator and Lions fan Zia-ul Raushan to dissect the Singapore national football team’s first two matches under new coach Tsutomu Ogura.

The Lions played out a hard-fought 2-2 draw against China on March 21 in front of the 28,414 crowd at the National Stadium. Five days later in chilly Tianjin, the Lions fell to a 4-1 loss, although there were signs of progress once again as the Republic showed grit and bravery in their play before being undone by a controversial penalty and two late goals.

So what do our pundits make of the start under Ogura and what is the way forward?

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:30 Why is there a positive feeling amongst fans despite the Lions not posing a victory against China?

8:30 Noor Ali on how the team has shaped up tactically under Ogura

17:15 The need for stronger mentality amongst players and the importance of leadership

21:00 What Ogura and the Lions can improve on

34:00 On the new standards in the national team and why players must step up

Read: https://str.sg/8Kmc

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg) & Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

Follow ST Sports Talk every month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles:https://str.sg/ip4G

Discover more ST podcast channels:

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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History-making sisters making waves with Olympic relay qualification

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month.

On Feb 18, Quah Ting Wen, Quah Jing Wen, Letitia Sim and Levenia Sim clocked 4 minutes and 2.88 seconds at the World Aquatics Championships to not just set a new women's 4x100m medley relay national record, they also booked their ticket to Paris 2024.

In this episode of Sports Talk, David Lee is joined by the two sets of sisters who became the first Singaporeans to qualify for an Olympic swimming relay event.

They share what it is like to train and compete as sisters, and what they need to do to create more history and make it to an Olympic final.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:08 Realisation of the accomplishment

3:39 The beginning of a strong combination

5:52 Strengths and weaknesses

6:30 Perks of competing as sisters

8:59 Swimming as an a-Quah-tic family

11:41 Not so Sim-ple decision to choose to swim for Singapore

14:26 Redemption for Asian Games disqualification

16:36 Going under four minutes and fighting for a final

18:00 Get to know the sisters

Read: https://str.sg/JursU

Produced by: David Lee (davidlee@sph.com.sg) & Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

Follow ST Sports Talk every month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow David Lee on X: https://str.sg/G8sb

Read his articles: https://str.sg/35bBw

Discover more ST podcast channels:

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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So why do the Lions have yet another Japanese coach?

Synopsis: Every fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times dives into a sports topic and tackles the hard questions with its guests on Hard Tackle.

In this episode of Hard Tackle, Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by Football Association of Singapore president, Bernard Tan and the newly appointed head coach of the Singapore national football team, Tsutomu Ogura.

For the first time since Ogura’s appointment on Feb 1, Tan describes the process undertaken by the FAS in terminating former head coach Takayuki Nishigaya’s contract and then selecting Ogura to lead the Lions.

Ogura also shares his journey to becoming the Lions’ head coach, his vision for the team and his plans ahead of his first match in charge of the Lions, when they take on China in a World Cup qualifier on Mar 21.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:49 When and how did the process to fire Takayuki Nishigaya and hire Tsutomu Ogura began?

8:30 Ogura’s initial thoughts when he was offered the Singapore national team head coach job

14:19 What gave Ogura the edge over the other candidates?

24:07 Ogura on the importance of working with a local coach

35:38 Does FAS president Bernard take sole responsibility for the hire of Ogura?

Read: https://str.sg/q8ro

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg) & Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

Follow ST Sports Talk every month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles:https://str.sg/ip4G

Follow ST Sports on Instagram: https://str.sg/vn2F

Discover more ST podcast channels:

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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Love is in the air for these wushu athletes.

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month.

In this episode of Sports Talk, Deepanraj Ganesan gets into the Valentine’s Day mood and spoke to a sporting couple in wushu exponents Jowen Lim and Vera Tan.

The pair started dating in 2015 and have since gotten engaged. Lim and Tan who had a good year on the sporting front with medals at the World Championship also have plans to get married pretty soon.

In this episode, they speak about how it all started, whether their relationship has affected their personal ambitions and what’s next for them in and out of wushu.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:00 How Jowen Lim and Vera Tan fell in love with Wushu

2:15 On meeting each other for the first time

6:20 Do Lim and Tan avoid speaking about Wushu away from competition and training?

9:00 What is the best thing about having a partner who is also an athlete?

11:15 What is next for both Tan and Lim in 2024 both in and out of Wushu?

Read: https://str.sg/iqt7

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg), Amirul Karim & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow ST Sports Talk every month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles:https://str.sg/ip4G

Discover more ST podcast channels:

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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Xabi Alonso is now head coach for Bayer Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga.

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month. This is a special episode featuring a former Liverpool legend John Arne Riise.

In this episode of Sports Talk, ST's Deepanraj Ganesan speaks to former Liverpool and Norway defender John Arne Riise who says that his ex-teammate Xabi Alonso should be the man to step into Jurgen Klopp’s big shoes when the German manager leaves his role at the end of the season.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:50 How Riise reacted to Klopp’s bombshell announcement

3:22 Why Riise picks Alonso to replace Klopp?

4:30 Could Riise tell early on - during their time as teammates in Liverpool - that Alonso would one day go on to become a football club manager?

6:16 Can Liverpool win the English Premier League this season?

8:30 The possibility of Reds legend Steven Gerard working with Alonso at Liverpool

Read: https://str.sg/FwpH

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg) & Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

Follow ST Sports Talk every month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles:https://str.sg/ip4G

Discover more ST podcast channels:

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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Top Singapore sports administrators take the hot seat in our studio.

Synopsis: Every fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times dives into a sports topic and tackles the hard questions with its guests on Hard Tackle.

In this episode of Hard Tackle, Deepanraj Ganesan speaks to Sport Singapore CEO Alan Goh and Singapore Sport Institute chief Dr Su Chun Wei and quizzes them on what is ahead for Singapore sports in 2024 and gets them to address some hot issues in local sports.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:45 What can Singaporeans expect from local sports in 2024?

6:50 What is SportSG doing to revive the mass participation scene, and what more needs to be done to get it back to pre-pandemic levels?

12:10 Do Alan Goh and Chun Wei believe Singapore football will recover from the lows of 2023?

20:20 How SportSG plans to convince more Singaporeans to go to events given the low turnout at 2023 Women's World Floorball Championships

28:00 On helping Shanti Pereira to get even quicker in 2024

Read: https://str.sg/iYfd

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg), Amirul Karim & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Amirul Karim

Follow ST Sports Talk every month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles:https://str.sg/ip4G

Discover more ST podcast channels:

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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Standing tall with badminton world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month.

One Olympic gold, two senior world titles, one Thomas Cup triumph, 27 Badminton World Federation World Tour and Superseries titles, and more than 100 consecutive weeks as world No. 1, there's no men's singles player as dominant as Viktor Axelsen now.

In this episode of Sports Talk, David Lee chats with the great Dane to understand more about the man who is unique in more ways than just his towering height and all-rounded game.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:23 Overcoming the negativity from feeling small for being so tall

2:17 How Axelsen seems so relaxed on the court

3:05 Being in control off the court

4:49 Chasing the GOAT

8:16 How Axelsen would like to be remembered

Read: https://str.sg/jxoN

Produced by: David Lee (davidlee@sph.com.sg) & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow ST Sports Talk every month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow David Lee on X: https://str.sg/fcZW

Read his articles: https://str.sg/35bBw

Discover more ST podcast channels:

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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We look at the nation's prospects in sailing, athletics and football.

Synopsis: Every fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times dives into a sports topic and tackles the hard questions with its guests on Hard Tackle.

As the curtain comes down on an incredible year for Singapore sports in 2023, The Straits Times sports desk is already excited for what’s to come in the year ahead.

In this episode of Hard Tackle, Deepanraj Ganesan and his colleagues on the sports desk - Kimberley Kwek, Rohit Brijnath, David Lee and Melvyn Teoh - bid farewell to 2023, reflect on the triumphs, peer into the future, and explore what's in store for Singapore sports in the upcoming year.

Highlights (click/tap above):

4:30 Can 2023 be seen as a year where it was a catalyst for Singapore sports?

11:00 The chances of Maximilian Maeder winning an Olympics gold medal in 2024

13:30 Did Loh Kean Yew have a forgettable year?

18:30 What can we expect from Shanti Pereira in 2024

24:00 What’s next for Singapore football in 2024 after a year to forget in 2023

Read: https://str.sg/iYCK

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg) & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow ST Sports Talk every month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles:https://str.sg/ip4G

Discover more ST podcast channels:

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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We speak to national sailor Maximilian Maeder about his year of wins.

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month.

National sailor Maximilian Maeder has enjoyed a bountiful 2023 where the accolades have kept coming for the kitefoiling star.

The 17-year-old became the first Singaporean nominated for the prestigious World Sailing’s Male Sailor of the Year after several milestone victories in 2023. He first won the Formula Kite Youth World Championships in Gizzeria, Italy in July before securing a spot for the 2024 Paris Olympics and claimed the coveted title at the Sailing World Championships a month later in The Hague, Netherlands.

He then went on to win a gold medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou at the end of September.

On the latest episode of Sports Talk, Maximilian spoke to sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan on his memorable year and his thoughts on what awaits in 2024 with his eyes firmly fixed on a shiny gold medal on offer in Paris

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:11 Maximilian’s favourite local sporting moment of 2023

6:04 On becoming a world champion at 16 in 2023

9:23 Qualifying for the Olympics and what it meant

12:35 How would Maximilian define 2023 in terms of his own personal growth

13:56 Looking ahead to 2024 and the Paris Olympics

Read: https://str.sg/ifqz

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg) & Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

Follow ST Sports Talk every month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on X: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles:https://str.sg/ip4G

Discover more ST podcast channels:

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

sportstalk

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We discuss if Singapore is capable of hosting a major sporting event.

Synopsis: Every fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times dives into a sports topic and tackles the hard questions with its guests on Hard Tackle.

A Fifa World Cup or perhaps a Commonwealth Games being hosted in Singapore in the future, have been discussion points in the last month.

In early October, it was reported that Indonesia were in discussions with Australia about a possible joint bid to host the 2034 football World Cup along with Malaysia and Singapore. This ultimately came to nothing officially as Saudi Arabia were the sole bidders.

But more recently, at its general assembly held in Singapore, the Commonwealth Games Federation spoke up about the possibility of Singapore being future hosts.

Sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by former CEO of Sport Singapore Lim Teck Yin and Singapore Aquatics president Mark Chay as they discuss if Singapore is capable of hosting a major sporting event in the future.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:22 What do cities and countries stand to gain from hosting sporting events?

8:57 How Singapore became hosts of World Aquatics Championships and what it involves

14:00 Was Singapore ever a viable host for a football World Cup?

16:50 Mark Chay and Teck Yin weigh in on whether Singapore can play hosts to major sporting events

21:15 Will cost be a concern for hosting major events

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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He also shares simple lifelong advice for parents and children on how to nurture striker skills at an early age.

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month.

Not many know their way to goal like Jurgen Klinsmann does. The German football legend has scored goals aplenty on the world's biggest stages and mesmerised fans of Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and others.

The former USA and German national team head coach is now the man at the helm of the South Korean national side and he was in Singapore for a few days to catch the Lion City Sailors’ incredible 2-0 win over Jeonbuk in the Asian Champions League on Wednesday.

Klinsmann, was taking a closer look at Sailors’ Singaporean players who will feature for the Lions against South Korea in a World Cup Qualifier on Nov 16 in Seoul.

ST Sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan caught up with Klinsmann just ahead of the match to learn more about how he became the striker he was, his thoughts on modern day football forwards and how he is feeling before South Korea takes on Singapore.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:00 What made Klinsmann want to be a striker

4:00 Why Klinsmann believes the best place to learn is in the neighbourhood

5:45 How coaches are to blame for fewer No.9s in modern football and why they are still important

7:40 Does Klinsmann think Germany will have a successful Euro 2024?

9:05 What made Klinsmann come to Singapore to watch the Lion City Sailors

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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A rejuvenated Singapore netball team aims to be best in Asia.

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month.

A new era of Singapore netball arrived on Oct 28 when the Republic ended a 16-year wait to claim its third netball Nations Cup title. The breakthrough win was delivered by a young side filled with potential, with four players in the starting line-up aged 24 and under, signalling a changing of the guard.

Singapore netball head coach Annette Bishop and national Goal shooter Amandeep Kaur Chahal join ST Sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan to talk about the Nations Cup campaign and the ultimate goal of being top of Asia.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:55 How did the Nations Cup win feel like for Amandeep?

5:30 The reason behind why Annette Bishop chose a young side for the Nations Cup

9:50 How Amandeep got hooked to Netball

12:30 The selection process of the national team

17:50 Why being the best in Asia is the team’s next goal

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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In an emotional interview, MMA star Angela Lee champions mental health.

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every second
Wednesday of the month.

The following podcast contains conversations on self harm and suicide. Audience discretion is advised.

In a recent article, MMA fighter Angela Lee recently opened up about her struggles with mental health, her attempt to take her own life in 2017 and that her sister Victoria died by suicide last December.

In an emotional interview, the One Championship star who retired at the end of September 2023, talks to ST sports journalist Deepanraj Ganesan about her sister and Fightstory, her mental health initiative dedicated to inspiring hope and building a community for those struggling with mental health.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:30 Angela Lee’s advice for aspiring MMA athletes

7:55 What prompted Angela Lee to open up about her mental health struggles

9:45 Does being an MMA athlete make it harder to open up about your weaknesses?

10:40 What kind of help did Angela Lee seek to feel better?

18:25 What will be the main focus of Angela’s Fightstory initiative

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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We analyse Team Singapore's performance at the recent Hangzhou Asian Games.

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every second
Wednesday of the month.

After 15 days of competition, Team Singapore came away from the Hangzhou Asian Games with three golds, six silvers and seven bronzes. From Shanti Pereira’s history-making 200m win to the dominant triumphs in sailing, there were several individual performances to marvel at.

However, the Republic’s largest-ever contingent had a worst-ever haul of golds and overall medals this millennium. This tally was also fewer than the previous Games in 2018 (four golds, four silvers and 14 bronzes).

Despite the dip in performance, top sports officials hailed the Hangzhou outing as a “successful” one with “significant wins” for Singapore’s athletes.

ST Sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by sports correspondent David Lee, journalist Kimberley Kwek and assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath. They analyse if it was truly a successful Asian Games for Singapore and pick out other moments that stood out.

Highlights (click/tap above):

6:23 Has this been a successful Asian Games for Team Singapore?

14:10 Reporting on Shanti Pereira’s success and what’s next for the sprint queen

19:00 How dominant was gold medallist and Paris 2024 contender Maximilian Maeder

21:00 Teong Tzen Wei’s road back to a silver medal at the Asiad

24:20 After Loh Kean Yew’s fall at the first hurdle in China, is there a need for a coaching change?

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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Each follow on the audio apps below and a rating really helps us! Happy listening!

Synopsis: A brand new feature is within The Straits Times app, which you can download from the Apple app store or the Google Play store. For those of you who already have it, the latest version update now has a dedicated Podcast Section, where you can listen to our latest incoming show episodes and check out back episodes too.

You can also choose to follow our podcast RSS feeds, or the shows on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

If you have a smart home speaker like the Google Home or Nest device, or your Android phone, just say: “Hey Google, play me (name of any of the shows below) or The Straits Times Podcasts.”

Get The Straits Times app from

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

Produced & edited by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg) & Teo Tong Kai

Follow ST Podcasts:

Channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukK

Spotify: https://str.sg/wukH

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Discover more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

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COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

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Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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Hear why he decided to step up, and what the scene needs to do to measure up to others in the region.

Synopsis: Every fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times dives into a sports topic and tackles the hard questions with its guests on Hard Tackle.

A 4-1 loss to Malaysia at the national level, a 7-0 thumping at the hands of their Malaysian counterparts at the SEA Games. These are just two of the bad results involving Singapore’s football teams in recent times.

A new man will attempt to steer Singapore football out of its slump after Bernard Tan was sworn in as president of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) recently, taking over from the late Lim Kia Tong.

ST Sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by Mr Tan who talked about the need for more funding, why football matters and what changes local football fans can look forward to.

Highlights (click/tap above):

6:10 Bernard Tan’s vision as FAS President

10:28 Mr Tan on why football deserves extra funding compared to other National Sports Associations

15:34 On why FAS has been unable to get the funding from backers

21:08 Addressing criticism that has come the FAS’ way

32:30 What fans can expect when it comes to the future of the Singapore Premier League

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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Synopsis: It’s that time of the year where the sound of engines roaring, the sight of race cars zooming past the Marina Bay Circuit and the smell of burned tires are in full flow as the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix takes place from 15th to 17th september.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has dominated the current season and with eight races to go, it’s highly likely that the Dutchman has it in the bag once again. But that does not stop us from looking ahead to the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix , which is more than just about the Formula One action.

ST Sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by local race car driver Yuey Tan to preview the 2023 edition of the F1 Singapore Grand Prix and his own involvement in a support race during the weekend.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:25 Has Max Verstappen’s dominance taken the shine out of the season ?

3:30 How will the changes to the circuit affect the race we will witness? How will it affect the drivers?

7:03 How Yuey Tan got into the racing scene

10:57 The importance of getting sponsors to back you when getting into the racing scene

14:30 What does Yuey Tan do to prepare for the race ?

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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Should fans welcome it or be concerned? And why?

Synopsis: Every fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times dives into a sports topic and tackles the hard questions with its guests on Hard Tackle.

A new dawn for football in the Gulf kingdom kicked off in August 2023, as the league took its first bold steps towards becoming a force to be reckoned with in world football.

Football is currently in the limelight with the Saudi Pro League having invested over €600 million (S$886.7 million) to lure a host of top players and coaches from European clubs.

What is the end goal?

Sport business group leader for Deloitte Asia-Pacific - James Walton - and ST Sports columnist John Brewin, join ST sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan to discuss the pursuit of sports dominance by Saudi Arabia and if the rest of the sporting world should be concerned.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:20 The differences between what China did with its Chinese Super League and the Saudi attempt

9:00 Why are Saudi Arabia so invested in sport? What is their goal?

15:10 Should fans be concerned by Saudi Arabia’s investment in football and sport?

22:20 John Brewin on why the influx of money into the English Premier League was more accepted compared to the latest trend in the Middle East

28:40 The future of Saudi Arabia’s plans in sports

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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How high-level women's MMA and the respect for women in sport is growing globally.

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every second
Wednesday of the month.

Regarded by many as the greatest female strawweight mixed martial arts athlete of all time, Joanna Jedrzejczyk has given fans a number of memorable moments inside the octagon.

The former long-time UFC Women’s Strawweight division champion is one of the most popular and successful fighters in the history of the company.

She ended her esteemed combat sports career in June 2022 when she announced her retirement following a knockout loss to Zhang Weili at UFC 275.

Ahead of UFC’s return to Singapore on Aug 26, the Polish fighter joined ST's Deepanraj Ganesan and Sazali Abdul Aziz to talk about her love for the sport, what led to her retirement and if she would ever return to the octagon.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:40 What to look forward to at UFC Fight Night Singapore at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Aug 26

10:00 What is the current status of women’s MMA and where does Jedrzejczyk see it heading

12:40 On deciding to retire from the sport

16:40 Has Jedrzejczyk thought of a possible return to the ring?

20:15 What more can be done to increase the respect for women in sport?

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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Hear why the European eco-system is more relatable to Singaporeans than the local scene.

Synopsis: Every fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times dives into a sports topic and tackles the hard questions with its guests on Hard Tackle.

The Festival of Football is in town as Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City, Liverpool and Bayern Munich play pre-season friendlies at Singapore’s National Stadium.

Football is unofficially the national sport of Singapore and as thousands of fans pour into the Kallang area to watch these European teams, the local Singapore Premier League continues to see dwindling numbers.

Why is this the case? Is it fair to ask Singaporeans to show support to local football teams as much as they do for their European clubs?

Lion City Sailors fan Eddy Hirono, Liverpool supporter Syahril Rahman and ardent Spurs fan Nitin Nambiar join ST sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan to discuss why Singaporeans are more drawn to European football than what goes on in their own backyards.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:40 What lured these fans to support their respective sides

7:10 Why Syahril the Liverpool fan does not watch the local Singapore Premier League (SPL)

9:45 Our guests on whether it is fair to ask Singaporeans to support the SPL as much as they support their favourite European teams

16:05 Are foreign players in European leagues more relatable than local players?

24:45 What can fans look forward to during the friendlies that are to be played during the Festival of Football?

Read more: https://www.straitstimes.com/tags/singapore-national-stadium

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Paxton Pang & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow ST Sports Talk Podcast episodes every second and fourth Wednesday of the month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on Twitter: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his articles: https://str.sg/Jbxq

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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Victoria School's floorball team shares how to help student-athletes achieve on and off the court.

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every second
Wednesday of the month.

It is not quite the Olympics or the Fifa World Cup but the National School Games (NSG) in Singapore captures the imagination and frenzy all the same. Whatever the sport, whether it is football, rugby, basketball or floorball, student athletes work hard on their craft while teachers and coaches push them towards sporting excellence and character development.

For student-athletes, managing their own sporting pursuit along with academics can be stressful too and it often takes a village of support. Victoria School (VS)’s floorball team - which clinched the boys’ B Division gold in 2023 - have shown the way in helping their student-athletes achieve both on and off the court.

VS’ floorball teacher and coach Lee Ren Ji, co-floorball teacher Miss Mabel Sim and team captain Gerald Tan, 15, who chipped in with three goals in the latest B Division final, join ST sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan to share their experiences.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:30 What does a teacher-in-charge of a sports co-curricular activity like floorball do?

4:25 Gerald Tan explains why the NSG is important for students like him

10:30 The struggles of coping with training for the NSG and balancing academic

14:20 How does a teacher intervene when a student is not performing well off the court

18:10 Ways in which a school maintains a winning tradition in a particular sport

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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Are football's super-rich owners killing the game? We discuss if fans should care.

Synopsis: Every fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times dives into a sports topic and tackles the hard questions with its guests on Hard Tackle.

Manchester United fans around the world are mostly ecstatic that the Glazers may finally sell the club. The American family’s ownership of the club has been marred by fan protests, huge debts and poor performance on the pitch.

While Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and British entrepreneur Sir Jim Ratcliffe remain as frontrunners in the takeover race, fans of the Red Devils have been caught up in a moral conundrum. It is a similar situation that Manchester City and Newcastle United fans have previously found themselves in.

In this episode, ST sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan hosts Deloitte Asia-Pacific's sport business group leader James Walton and assistant ST Now editor Sazali Abdul Aziz.

Listen to a passionate debate on why fans should care and why football ownership is in the spotlight.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:15 Why are football clubs attractive to businessmen and investors ?

10:00 Are Manchester United fans justified in wanting new owners?

15:30 How Sazali - as a Newcastle United fan - feel about new owners from the Middle East?

23:40 Should a fan care about something he has no control over, such as who owns his or her club?

33:40 Football is past the point of no return, when it comes to foreign football ownership and the lack of checks and balances

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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Our expert guests recap the season and look at what Man City's rivals can do to depose them.

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every second
Wednesday of the month.

The 2022/2023 English Premier League (EPL) campaign concluded with Manchester City successfully defending their crown. Arsenal had a lot to shout about during the season but ultimately came up short.

But what will they and United, who finished third, be looking to do to improve for the next season? Can Pep Guardiola’s City still improve? What do Arsenal need to close that gap?

ST’s EPL columnist John Brewin and football commentator Zia-ul Raushan join ST Sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan to look into their crystal balls and see what we can expect in the weeks and months ahead before the EPL returns.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:10 The moments of the season

6:50 What can we look forward to as Liverpool, Leicester and Tottenham Hotspur make their way to Singapore for pre-season in July?

11:40 Can Manchester City improve? How?

18:00 Is it fair to say that Arsenal won’t be able to challenge for the title again next season?

25:00 What do United need for next season and who will they end up with?

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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Shanti reflects on her own personal identity and purpose, regardless of whether she's a sprint queen or not.

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every second
Wednesday of the month.

Sprint queen Shanti Pereira was back in Singapore after her achievements in Cambodia at the 2023 SEA Games and she has finally had time to reflect back on her history- making feats in 2023. In Phnom Penh, she was crowned South-east Asia’s top woman sprinter after claiming two golds in the 100m and 200m at the SEA Games.

ST sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan caught up with Pereira over a phone call before she departs for training and competition in Europe about how she feels about her success in 2023, how she overcame the lows and has learned to better appreciate the highs.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:50 On how much difference a year has made

5:00 Being able to relate to athletes from around the world and how that has helped her in her career

9:40 On training in carparks during Covid-19

12:00 What kind of criticism did she receive and how did she deal with them?

16:00 How her parents have been a strong support system

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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Hear from medallists Teh May Yong and Noah Lim too, in this podcast.

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every second
Wednesday of the month.

The region’s biggest sporting event kicked off on May 5th in Cambodia and the biennial event - which runs till May 17th - has already brought the Republic some unforgettable moments, including Shanti Pereira’s successful 200m title defence and the 1,000th gold medal for Singapore at the Games that was delivered by Team Singapore's women's freestyle relay team.

ST sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan was at the Chroy Changvar International Convention and Exhibition Center and to catch up with ju-jitsu exponents Teh May Yong and Singapore’s first gold medallist at these games - Noah Lim - who clinched the men’s ne-waza gi Under-69kg title in what is his third SEA Games gold medal.

They spoke about what it takes to get to the Games, about host country Cambodia so far, and what athletes can or cannot get up to while in the athletes’ village.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:35 Why getting to the SEA Games is already a win

3:20 Where are the athletes living in Cambodia and how does it differ from past Games?

5:39 What food do athletes get at the athletes’ village?

8:08 How does it feel to be Singapore’s first gold medalist at the Cambodia Games?

10:42 Why three-time gold medallist Noah Lim regards the medal earned in Cambodia to be his most meaningful one

PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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Join our discussion to hear if the biennial event is still relevant in 2023?

Synopsis: Every fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times dives into a sports topic and tackles the hard questions with its guests on Hard Tackle.

The region’s biggest sporting event will get underway in Cambodia as athletes from South-east Asia battle for top honours at the May 5-17 SEA Games. Singaporeans will be rooting for the 558 athletes that will represent the Republic across 30 sports, with some like football, indoor hockey and cricket kicking off even before the May 5 opening ceremony.

With the Cambodia Games being the 32nd edition, ST’s Hard Tackle discusses whether the biennial event is still relevant, with some having termed the event as the 'Kampung Games'.

ST sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan invites two guests for this episode - former sprint-hurdler and four-time SEA Games medallist Dipna Lim-Prasad, and former national water polo vice-captain and three times Games gold medallist Yip Ren Kai.

They discuss why the Games matter and what they are looking forward to in the weeks ahead.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:07 What do the SEA Games mean?

9:25 Why are the Games known as 'Kampung Games' and what can be done?

15:05 Do some sports get a free pass to the Games? Is that fair?

20:53 What sports are expected to deliver medals at the 2023 SEA Games?

31:45 What would be deemed as a good performance from Team Singapore?

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Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

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Why change in mindset and culture is needed from players, coaches, administrators, and even parents and schools.

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every second
Wednesday of the month.

The Unleash The Roar! (UTR) project was announced in 2021 with various long-term initiatives to uplift Singapore football, and help rally the nation behind a shared dream of achieving success.

And while results in the past year across various age groups in Singapore football continue to decline, patience has been urged by the team helming the project. With two years gone, what has UTR achieved so far?

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth Eric Chua, who is also the UTR’s executive committee chairman, joins ST sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan to discuss the UTR project, what has been done so far and what Singaporeans can expect in the months and years ahead.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:40 Why Unleash The Roar! Project was started

7:10 On the importance of grooming the best youth talent and handing out scholarships

9:00 On macro and micro issues that need to be fixed for Singapore football to progress

13:00 Understanding criticism from fans

18:00 On the future of the Singapore Premier League

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Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

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Can Singapore's only Olympic champion ever make a comeback?

Synopsis: Every fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times dives into a sports topic and tackles the hard questions with its guests on Hard Tackle.

For the first time since his 2011 debut, Joseph Schooling will not represent Singapore at the Cambodia SEA Games in May. After withdrawing from the swim team headed for Cambodia, the Republic’s only Olympic champion said on March 1: “After careful consideration with my team, I have decided to pull out of the SEA Games. This was not an easy decision, but I am currently not at the level at which I hold myself to perform.”

On the back of Schooling’s decision to withdraw, ST’s Hard Tackle dives into the inevitable discussion on whether we have seen the last of our Olympic winner.

Former national swimmer David Lim and Tao Li - Asian Games winner and a former teammate of Schooling's - join ST sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan to discuss Schooling’s current predicament, if retirement is on the cards and how Schooling’s decline could have been prevented.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:20 On Joseph Schooling’s current predicament of training while serving national service

7:38 Have we seen the last of Schooling at a competitive level?

9:58 Could Schooling be targeting an Asian Games return?

15:40 Understanding Schooling’s regression

21:00 What lessons can be drawn from this saga?

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Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

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Discover the journey of a five-time LPGA Tour winner.

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at the talking points in sport every second
Wednesday of the month.

The HSBC Women’s World Championship was back in Singapore at the start of
the month where most of the world’s top 20 golfers – and all of last season’s
Major champions – battled for honours in the March 2-5 event.

In this episode, ST Sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan chats with Michelle Wie West - 2014 US Women’s Open champion and a five-time winner on the LPGA Tour - here in an ambassadorial role.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:55 On being a role model for others and who she looked up to

3:20 On the stereotypes that women in sport face

8:55 Dealing with fame and the struggles of stardom

13:20 How golf can still grow as a sport

14:00 What does Michelle most enjoy after retirement?

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Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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Find out why the local talent pipeline has failed for now.

Synopsis: Every fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times dives into a sports topic and tackles the hard questions with its guests on Hard Tackle.

In the first episode of a brand new spin-off series called Hard Tackle, ST Sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by former Singapore national team centreback R Sasikumar and Singapore football commentator Zia-ul Raushan to debate the ever controversial topic of whether Singapore football needs foreign talents.

On Feb 25, the Young Lions get their 2023 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season underway against defending champions Albirex Niigata and for the first time since 2016, the Young Lions will have foreign players in the squad with the addition of Japanese defender Jun Kobayashi and midfielder Kan Kobayashi.

With the Football Association of Singapore looking to revisit the Foreign Talent Scheme, we ask if it’s really what Singapore football needs to fix the larger picture.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:50 The root cause of having to rely on foreigners

5:20 Who is to blame for the dearth of local talent; does Singapore football need foreign talent?

8:30 Is using naturalised players just a short-term fix?

19:00 The strategy behind Young Lions signing Japanese players for the 2023 SPL season

25:30 Is there a way we can get players with Singaporean heritage to play for the national team?

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Will reaching this summit change how Tchoukball is received in Singapore?

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second and fourth Wednesday of the month.

In this episode, ST Sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan chats with Tchoukball
Association of Singapore president Delane Lim and women’s team captain Irene Tan.

On Jan 1, the Singapore women’s tchoukball team made history by overtaking powerhouses Chinese Taipei to become world No. 1 for the first time. Lim and Tan talk about how they found out about reaching the summit, the shock that followed and how they hope the news will change the future of how the sport is received in Singapore.

More importantly, Lim outlines his hopes for better support from the authorities for the sport.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:55 On finding out that they had become world No.1

2:30 What is tchoukball?

3:45 How popular is tchoukball in Singapore and around the world?

6:20 On the struggles of the Tchoukball Association of Singapore not being a national sports association

9:40 When can Singaporeans catch the team in action and what kind of support do the players hope for in the future?

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second and fourth week of the month.

In this episode, Sazali Abdul Aziz chats with ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath, who is on the ground at Melbourne Park covering the Australian Open.

Rohit discusses the tournament’s withdrawals and shocks - including Rafa Nadal’s exit - the new generation of women players, and what the Australian Open spells for the year of tennis ahead.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:55 The conflict of watching Nadal in 2023

3:36 Can anyone else test Djokovic?

6:24 Iga Swiatek leads the charge of talented young ladies

12:11 What makes the Australian Open special?

14:02 How it sets up the year of tennis ahead

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Ben Ainslie, the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, chats with us in Singapore.

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second and fourth Wednesday of the month.

In this episode, ST’s assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath chats with Ben Ainslie, a legendary sailor with five successive Olympic medals from 1996 to 2012, four of them gold. He has been world champion multiple times and a winner in the 2013 America's Cup.

He was in Singapore for the inaugural Singapore Sail Grand Prix from Jan 14-15 at East Coast Park. Singapore is the first South-east Asian country to host a leg of the SailGP hydrofoiling series in 2023 as part of a three-year deal. SailGP is into its third season this year, and will see some of the world’s best cataraman sailors taking part.

In these audio excerpts during an interview, Ainslie shares his thoughts on pressure, love for sailing and his fear of losing.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:42 What draws Ben Ainslie to sailing?

1:25 His relationship with the wind, key to success in sailing

3:00 Why do some top athletes like being provoked, as it pushes them to excel?

5:08 Driven by the fear of losing

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second and fourth week of the month.

In this episode, ST’s Sazali Abdul Aziz chats with sports desk colleagues David Lee and Deepanraj Ganesan as they dissect Singapore’s group stage exit at the recent Asean Football Federation Championship - their fourth in five editions - and what the Lions have to do to pick up the pieces from this campaign and move forward.

They talk about what went wrong for the team, whether coach Takayuki Nishigaya should remain, the regional trend of naturalising foreign-born players, and other issues that arose from the tournament, like pitch facilities in Singapore, and officiating during the AFF Championship.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:09 Why the Lions whimpered

3:10 Nishigaya under fire - should he go?

7:50 Lions could feature more foreign-born players soon

11:36 Indonesia a rising force, Vietnam still top dogs

13:30 Awful refereeing needs to be fixed

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second and fourth week of the month.

Fans from across Asean will shift their attention from events in Qatar to South-east Asia's premier football tournament when the 2022 AFF Championship gets underway from Dec 20 till Jan 16, 2023. The biennial football competition is organised by the Asean Football Federation (AFF).

Six-time champions Thailand are looking to successfully defend the title that they won at the last edition but will face stiff competition from favourites Vietnam and the likes of Indonesia and Malaysia. The Lions will look to at least reach the last four, a feat that they achieved in the previous tournament.

In this episode, ST sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by two men who have won the tournament before - Singapore national team captain Hariss Harun and Thailand head coach Alexandre Polking. They discuss what the tournament means and expectations of their teams.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:46 What does the AFF Championship mean to Hariss and Polking?

5:09 How have the Lions reacted to the injuries to star striker Ikhsan Fandi?

9:06 Expectations for defending champions Thailand

11:35 Why Vietnam are the favourites

13:49 What can fans expect from Singapore and Thailand?

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second and fourth week of the month.

In this episode, ST’s sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz, reporting from the ground at the World Cup in Doha, chats with ST football columnist John Brewin, based in London.

They review Lionel Messi and Argentina’s incredible final win over France, their highlights of the tournament, and the legacy Qatar 2022 will leave behind.

Highlights (click/tap above):

00:55 - The final: Better than Istanbul

03:11 - Goosebump moments

07:47 - Highlights of the tournament

10:06 - More winter World Cups to come?

12:17 - Qatar 2022’s off-pitch legacy; discussing allegations of 'sportswashing'

16:51 - Standout moment of the World Cup

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second and fourth week of the month.

Seismic shocks, upsets, last-minute winners and former champions crashing out. In terms of the football on show, the World Cup in Qatar has already been one of the most memorable and incredible tournaments in its 92-year history - and it's not done yet.

In this episode, Straits Times sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz, reporting from the ground in Doha, sits down at Qatar's famous Souq Waqif marketplace with James Walton, sports business group leader for Deloitte South-east Asia.

Over some coffee, they chat about what the atmosphere has been like at the first World Cup in the Middle East, how it compares to previous tournaments, and of course, the football they’ve witnessed.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:50 How does Qatar compare to Brazil or Russia?

6:18 The ‘rocking’ Fan Festivals in Qatar

10:16 Is Qatar looking like Messi’s tournament?

14:16 Shocks and surprises at this World Cup

19:32 Best football moment so far

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Synopsis: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport.

Assistant sports editor Jonathan Wong sits down with Lilian Thuram, former World Cup winner-turned-human rights activist and author.

Thuram is regarded as one of the finest defenders of his generation and Les Bleus' most capped player. He chats about his latest book, White Thinking, which focuses on racial identity, as well as defending champions France's chances at the ongoing Qatar World Cup.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:47 Legacy of France's 1998 winning team

3:32 Is racism in sport worse than before?

6:28 Why is it so tough to win back-to-back World Cups?

9:10 Has the criticism of Qatar been fair?

12:12 The importance of people like Jordan Henderson

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Synopsis: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport.

With the World Cup kicking off on Nov 20, ST Sports Talk looks at what you can expect in Qatar.

Sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz - who will be on the ground covering the tournament - chats with features editor for ST Video, Jonathan Roberts, and sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan about the favourites, dark horses, players to look out for, and whether Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo can have the fairytale ending to their careers.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:49 Who our money is on

5:00 A Messi-Ronaldo final on the cards?

10:03 A World Cup of young guns

12:41 Could it ‘Come Home’ to England this time?

16:33 And the Golden Boot goes to…

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Synopsis: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport.

ST Sports Talk welcomes sporting royalty in this episode in the form of four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome, widely regarded as one of the greatest cyclists of all time.

Speaking to Sazali Abdul Aziz and Kimberly Kwek from his residence in Monaco, Froome talks about his road to recovery from an awful crash in 2019, what keeps him going at the ripe age of 37, as well as the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium on Oct 29 and 30, which he will be racing in.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:17 Being regarded as a cycling G.O.A.T

3:37 Why he still puts himself through the grind

5:56 Criteriums vs long races

7:23 Being forced to slow down after the 2019 injury

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Synopsis: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport.

In this episode, ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and Singapore referee Muhammad Taqi Jahari discuss his journey in officiating, milestones and sacrifices along the way, and what he is looking forward to at the Qatar World Cup (Nov 20-Dec 18).

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:17 Being a “babyfaced” referee at 18

4:48 International milestones and an 80,000 crowd

9:22 His VAR duties at the Qatar World Cup; preparing for the World Cup

15:40 How fit does a referee have to be?

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow ST Sports Talk Podcast episodes every second and fourth Wednesday of the month:

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Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

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Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

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Synopsis: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport.

In this episode, ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and assistant sports editor Jonathan Wong chat with Formula One chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali, who is in town for the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix which makes its return after two years.

Domenicali discusses the Singapore GP’s status and place on the F1 calendar, how Asia remains a big part of its global strategy, and addresses rumours about preferential treatment for certain teams.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:13 F1’s return to The Lion City

4:03 Is Singapore still F1's ‘crown jewel’ of the East?

5:15 Where F1 could expand to next

14:45 F1's push for sustainability by 2030

18:33 Preferential treatment for some teams?

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Synopsis: This ST video livestream was hosted by Cheow Sue-Ann on Sept 16.

One of the most legendary careers in sports is coming to an end as tennis icon Roger Federer announced he will retire after the Laver Cup in London.

In a statement released on social media, 41-year-old Federer cites age and recurring injuries as the reasons for his decision.

Assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath weighs in on Federer's retirement announcement.

Produced by: ST Video team

Edited by: ST Video team and Penelope Lee

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The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

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Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

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Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

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Synopsis: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport.

In this episode, ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and reporter Laura Chia talk to Singapore’s most-capped netball player Charmaine Soh, who returns to international action at the Asian Netball Championships at the OCBC Arena.

Soh, 29, talks about the decision to work her way back into contention for the national team just months after giving birth, the “toughest month” in her life as she tried to return to competitive shape, and enjoying high-level competition again after almost three years.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:10 - Juggling motherhood with being an athlete

5:46 - Getting back to peak fitness

8:27 - An added point to prove

9:49 - Savouring the return of international netball

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Synopsis: This ST video livestream was hosted by Cheow Sue-Ann on Aug 31.

In the aftermath of Joseph Schooling's confession to having consumed cannabis overseas, netizens have had mixed responses - with some questioning if the Olympic gold medallist has been treated fairly.

ST journalist Jean Lau talks about the penalties when one is caught consuming drugs overseas. She also discusses if Schooling's punishment is exceptional.

Produced by: ST Video team

Edited by: ST Video team and Penelope Lee

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Synopsis: This ST video livestream was hosted by Lynlee Foo on Aug 31.

Singapore's first and only Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling has confessed to consuming cannabis in Hanoi in May 2022, while he was on short-term disruption from full-time national service.

The Straits Times' Deepanraj Ganesan and Rohit Brijnath speak with host Lynlee Foo about what might have happened and whether Singapore's golden boy can bounce back after this.

Produced by: ST Video

Edited by: ST Video & Penelope Lee

Follow ST Sports Talk Podcast episodes every second and fourth Wednesday of the month:

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Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR

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Synopsis: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport.

In this episode, ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz welcomes mixed martial arts (MMA) star Demetrious Johnson into the studio as he prepares to challenge Adriano Moraes for his One Championship flyweight world title bout at the One on Prime 1 event, at 8am, on 27 Aug.

The man known as “Mighty Mouse” in the MMA world talks about his traveling halfway around the world to fight in Asia, his preparations for the Moraes rematch, how he dealt with being knocked out in their previous meeting, and One’s big move into the US market.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:02 - Travelling to, and fighting in, Asia

4:58 - Training with former foe Cejudo

8:01 - Processing being on the end of a KO

11:03 - Cake and MMA: A matter of taste

13:58 - One's Amazon Prime Video move; DJ's Mount Rushmore of MMA

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Synopsis: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport.

In this episode, ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chats with reporter Deepanraj Ganesan and ST’s English Premier League columnist John Brewin on takeaways from the opening weekend of action in the 22/23 season, and what lies ahead.

They talk leading contenders, dark horses, early write-offs (hint: it’s Man United) and also possible surprise packages among the new boys in the division.

Highlights (click/tap above):

01:54 - Brewin's first-hand view of Liverpool at Craven Cottage

05:09 - A lingering problem for Klopp? Or just a one-off?

08:06 - Man City start well - who else are contenders?

14:45 - Man United: Oh dear

22:03 - Not all gloom for newly-promoted sides

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Synopsis: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times tackles the talking points in Singapore sport.

In this episode, ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chats with Billy Hogan, the chief executive officer of English football giants Liverpool, who was in town when the Reds played the Standard Chartered Singapore Trophy exhibition match with Crystal Palace.

On the eve of the game, Hogan talks about the club’s revival and rise to the top since he arrived in 2012, staying at that level, and balancing the club’s commercial interests with the needs of the first team.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:37 Long-term goals for the club

2:39 The key to maintaining success

5:51 Liverpool’s commercial vs football needs

7:16 What has changed since FSG arrived

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Synopsis: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times tackles the talking points in Singapore sport.

In this episode, ST sports correspondent David Lee chats with local sports administrator Mark Chay about why he wants to be Singapore Swimming Association's new president despite his burgeoning portfolio.

Not only has he been a former national swimmer, swim club director, and Singapore Hockey Federation chief executive officer, he is now a swim coach and Global Esports Federation's executive director, and feels his experiences put him in good stead for his new role.

Highlights (click/tap above):

4:36 Plans to sustain success under SSA predecessor Lee Kok Choy

6:46 How experiences at various levels help

12:31 Important of engagement with affiliates

14:31 Level of Singapore aquatics now

18:34 How Chay measures success for the SSA president

Produced by: David Lee (davidlee@sph.com.sg) & ST Video Team

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow ST Sports Talk Podcast episodes every second and fourth Wednesday of the month:

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Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

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Synopsis: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times tackles the talking points in Singapore sport.

In this episode, ST sports correspondent David Lee chats with former Valencia president Anil Murthy about his highs and lows running the Spanish football club.

The Singaporean was Valencia president for five out of the eight tumultuous seasons under Singaporean tycoon Peter Lim. While they won a King's Cup in 2019 and qualified for the Champions League thrice, there was also a high turnover of managers and players. And in May 2022, Murthy also left the club under a shroud of controversy.

Highlights (click/tap above):

00:40 Audio-leaks: What was actually said

03:24 Death threats led to Anil's resignation, not sacking

05:56 Why is there animosity towards the club's Singapore leadership?

07:27 No football experience, no problem?

11:00 Anil on his relationship with Peter Lim

Produced by: David Lee (davidlee@sph.com.sg) & ST Video Team

Edited by: Pax Pang

Follow ST Sports Talk Podcast episodes every second and fourth Wednesday of the month:

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Follow David Lee on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stdavidlee

Read his stories: https://www.straitstimes.com/authors/david-lee

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

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Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

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Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

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Synopsis: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times tackles the talking points in Singapore sport.

In this episode, ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chats with national swimmer Teong Tzen Wei about his recent milestones in the pool.

Teong, 24, talks about becoming only the third Singaporean man to race in the final of a World Championships, becoming the only South-east Asian to go under 22 seconds in the 50m freestyle, and how he experienced a sea change in his outlook to training and competing.

Highlights (click/tap above):

00:58 Racing in a final at the World C’ships

03:40 Processing a fabulous month of swimming

06:28 Embracing the ‘late bloomer’ tag

09:07 Old Chang Kee.. before a change in mindset

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In this episode, ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chats with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White about the UFC 275 event in Singapore, which fights excite him most, and the UFC's plans to reach and develop talent in previously uncharted territories.

Highlights (click/tap above):

00:49 - Why turn UFC Singapore into a Pay-per-view?

03:30 - Dana's surprise fight to watch at UFC 275

06:08 - Can Asian talent rise?

07:45 - Updates on Jon Jones and Conor McGregor

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In this episode, ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chats with former top national boxer Muhamad Ridhwan about his new role as co-coach of the national boxing squad, as it aims for improvement at the Cambodia SEA Games taking place in May 2023.

Ridhwan also talks about calling time on his professional career - how retirement crept up on him - and what he has been up to in the past 18 months.

Highlights (click/tap above):

01:40 - His plan to help lift Singapore's boxing scene

03:46 - Is there enough talent to work with?

07:13 - How hard was it to hang up his gloves?

10:40 - His progression into coaching

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In this episode, the ST sports desk quartet of Sazali Abdul Aziz, Kimberly Kwek, Laura Chia and Deepanraj Ganesan review the Hanoi SEA Games from the Vietnamese capital, where Team Singapore won a good share of the medals that were on offer - with 47 gold, 46 silver and 71 bronze medals - for their third-best showing at an overseas SEA Games.

Highlights(click/tap above):

01:13 Singapore swimming's new stars

04:53 Loh Kean Yew comes close again

07:30 Were football and shooting let off the hook?

12:14 Triumphs that went under the radar

14:20 ST's moments of the Hanoi Games

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In this episode, SEA Games-bound ST sports desk quartet Sazali Abdul Aziz, Kimberly Kwek, Laura Chia and Deepanraj Ganesan share their thoughts on how Team Singapore will fare at the May 12-23 regional multi-sport competition.

Highlights(click/tap above):

0:49 - Is a medal, or an early return on the cards for football?

3:41 - Swimmers and paddlers to shine again - maybe athletics too?

10:27 - The rise of the 21st-century Singaporean athlete

14:29 - What the reporters are looking forward to in Hanoi

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In this episode, ST sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee discuss two coaching appointments which have gotten local football fans talking recently.

Takayuki Nishigaya was named the new Singapore national team head coach on April 25, with the Football Association of Singapore's appointment courting criticism given the drawn-out appointment process and the new man's underwhelming CV.

A few days earlier, Manchester United announced that Ajax Amsterdam manager Erik Ten Hag would take over from interim boss Ralf Rangnick at the end of the current season. Is he the man who can finally drag the Red Devils out of their rut?

Highlights (click/tap above):

01:38 - First impressions of the new Lions coach

04:35 - A puzzling appointment process

09:30 - Is Ten Hag finally the right manager for United?

14:09 - Who should the Red Devils sign?

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In this episode, ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chats with national pencak silat exponent Sheik Farhan, who is the flagbearer for the Team Singapore contingent for the May 12-23 SEA Games in Hanoi.

He talks about the honour of being picked, what the SEA Games means to him, his targets in Hanoi, and his journey from being the scion of pencak silat icon Sheik Alau’ddin, to becoming a three-time world champion himself.

Highlights (click/tap above):

00:48 - On being flagbearer and his SEA Games experiences

06:24 - On the new ruleset in pencak silat

09:24 - Farhan’s early memories in silat

16:09 - What if he didn’t take to sport?

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In this episode, ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chats with HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens general manager Steven Rodaway.

Rodaway shares about the challenges he and his team had to overcome to ensure the April 9-10 tournament would even take place, and how they aim to pull off being the first sporting event in Singapore since the pandemic - to have eating and drinking in the stands.

Highlights (click/tap above):

01:15 How close were the Singapore Sevens to not happening?

02:30 On the mentality of the world-class teams coming here

05:14 How tough was it to get food and drinks allowed for fans?

06:13 On expecting a sellout of all 24,000 tickets

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles Singapore's national sports talking points.

In this episode, ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chats with former Fifa referee and two-time S-League referee of the year Abas Daud.

Abas shares stories from his refereeing career - from the highs of sharing a pitch with world-class players like Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez to the lows of fleeing free-for-alls - and what he thinks of the idea to implement Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the Singapore Premier League (SPL).

Highlights (click/tap above):

03:05 What is the toughest thing about being a referee?

05:51 - Carding Champions League winner Mark van Bommel

09:01 - A free-for-all where a baby stroller was used as a weapon

10:54 Will VAR rid the SPL of controversy?

13:34 Understanding the law vs interpreting it

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles Singapore's national sports talking points.

In this episode, ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chats with Chatri Sityodtong, the chief executive officer and founder of mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation One Championship.

Chatri talks about the One: X event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on March 26 - one of its biggest cards ever - and the fight he looks forward most to, the experience of filming The Apprentice series, and what MMA fans can expect from One in 2022.

Highlights (click/tap above):

01:07 How the year is shaping up for One

03:00 Plans to have events outside Singapore again

04:29 Which One: X fight intrigues Chatri the most?

10:15 How real was that Chatri on The Apprentice?

13:17 Plans for US broadcast in 2022

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

On this episode, ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan chat with their guest, former national defender Baihakki Khaizan, about the 2022 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season which kicks off on Feb 25.

They talk about favourites Lion City Sailors and what could steer them off course, the competition's dark horses, and the slew of intriguing new foreign imports and whether they can lift the standards of the local professional league.

Baihakki, who announced his retirement before the start of this season after 19 years as a professional where he made 140 appearances for the national team, also looks back at his playing career and forward in his new role as Lead of Special Projects and ambassador with the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

01:11 - Can anyone stop the Sailors?

02:59 - Could the Asian Champions League distract them?

08:45 - What the new injection of foreign stars means to the SPL

12:23 - Bai's best memories and regrets as a player

16:42 - His new role in football with the FAS

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

Tennis fever hit Singapore recently, with US Open champion Emma Raducanu drawing crowds at Tanglin Club during a stopover in the Lion City after her exit at the Australian Open, where Rafael Nadal's inspirational comeback win in the men's singles final Down Under also caught the imagination of many.

National tennis player Shaheed Alam, who had the chance to hit with Raducanu during her time in Singapore, talks about the experience of sharing a court with the game's top stars, his takeaways from the Australian Open, the 'New Big Three' of tennis, and what lies ahead in 2022 for him.

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

00:53 - What it was like to hit with Raducanu

03:49 - What Raducanu was like off-court

06:39 - How a Federer die-hard saw Nadal's win

10:11 - Juggling NS and a SEA Games dream

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In this episode, ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chats with Manchester United and Denmark legend Peter Schmeichel to discuss the evolution of the role of the goalkeeper in football.

The Great Dane also shares a little bit about his approach to the position which made him one of the greatest of all time in the game.

Highlights (click/tap above):

01:38 How has the position evolved in 10-20 years?

04:05 How would prime Schmeichel fare in today's game?

07:32 What his role was in son Kasper’s career

10:34 On making mistakes

15:24 Can a goalkeeper win the Ballon d’Or?

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

The national team galvanised football fans with their never-say-die spirit even as they went down to a 5-3 aggregate defeat by Indonesia in the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup.

But less than 72 hours later came the bombshell: their coach, Tatsuma Yoshida, was leaving a year before his contract was due, to be closer to his family.

ST sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee, and sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan, discuss where the Lions and the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) go from here.

Highlights (click/tap above):

00:55 What to make of the Suzuki Cup exit and fallout

05:36 How does the FAS replace Yoshida?

10:55 Have the Lions regained their supporters’ faith?

13:21 What we hope to see for Singapore football in 2022

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg), Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee & Hadyu Rahim

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

On Dec 19, Loh Kean Yew stunned the badminton world by becoming the first Singaporean to win the World Championships. He talks to David Lee about his win, his feelings at almost having to withdraw through injury and what comes after winning gold.

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

1:10 What the gold medal means to him

2:56 How an ankle injury almost derailed him

4:33 What’s next for Loh

8:00 His message for supporters and aspiring athletes

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ST Sports Talk Ep 141: Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt on Man United woes

14:32 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt are on this episode of ST Sports Talk, to discuss the problems that have plagued their former club this season leading to the sacking of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The two former Red Devils stars also give their thoughts on new interim manager Ralf Rangnick, and what challenges lie ahead for the German as he attempts to steer the club back up the table in the Premier League.

Giggs and Butt, who between them made 1,350 appearances for United, were in Singapore at the invitation of businessman and their good friend Peter Lim. While in town, they - alongside other Class of 92 teammates Phil and Gary Neville, and Paul Scholes who joined virtually from remote locations abroad - participated in a series of events organised by digital football platform ZujuGP, founded by Lim and his son Kiat. . 0:00 Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

01:49 What they think of Rangnick’s appointment

04:16 How United’s underperforming stars need to buck up

07:31 The reason behind their poor defence this season

10:42 Who they feel the club need to sign

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

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Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

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Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

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ST Sports Talk Ep 140: Hariss Harun on his first SPL title; eyeing 2nd Suzuki Cup

20:52 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In our 140th episode, national football team captain Hariss Harun added another accolade to his trophy-laden career when he lifted the Singapore Premier League (SPL) title on October 10 with the Lion City Sailors.

The Sailors, Singapore’s first privatised club, have stated their ambition to establish themselves as one of the continent’s best outfits, and Hariss shares why he believes they can go on to achieve that target, and what role he can play.

He also talks about Singapore’s chances at the Suzuki Cup, which kicks off on Dec 5 with Singapore looking for their first Asean title since 2012.

They cover the following points: Why winning the SPL is sweet even with all his other achievements (3:28) Similarities between the Sailors and Malaysian giants Johor Darul Takzim (7:20) His mixed history in the Suzuki Cup and how it motivates him now (10:53) How he rates the Lions’ chances (16:42)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim & Penelope Lee

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

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Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

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ST Sports Talk Ep 139: Singapore footballer Siti Rosnani Azman on going pro and life in Japan

20:52 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

While chasing her dream of playing football professionally, Siti Rosnani Azman herded cows and picked fruit to extend her work and holiday visa during her stint with semi-pro club South West Queensland Thunder.

The national women's footballer recently achieved her goal by signing a professional one-year contract with Japanese club International Athletic Club (INAC) Kobe Leonessa, making her only Singapore's second professional female player.

In this episode, sports reporter Kimberly Kwek speaks with Siti Rosnani Azman about joining INAC Kobe, what her experience in Japan has been like so far and her football ambitions.

Produced by: Kimberly Kwek (kimkwek@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

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ST Sports Talk Ep 138 (Pt 2): Yip Pin Xiu on Olympics and Paralympics prize money disparity debate in Singapore

9:35 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

Swimmer Yip Pin Xiu won her second gold of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, cruising to victory in the S2 50m backstroke final on Sept 2. With the victory, Yip, 29, has retained the two titles she won at Rio 2016, having also won the S2 100m backstroke the week before.

Yip also holds the world records in both events, which she achieved at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong took to social media to congratulate her, hailing her as an amazing athlete and person.

He wrote: “5 Gold Medals on the most competitive of international arenas. There are 13 years between her Gold medals. To be at the top of her game, consistently, 13 years apart, shows us just how special she is, as an athlete, in any sport and on any platform."

ST Sports' Sazali Abdul Aziz and Rohit Brijnath host Yip and her coach Mark Chay in this wide-ranging podcast - the second of two parts - covering the inevitable prize money debate for gold wins in the Olympics and Paralympics.

In Part 2, they cover the following points: Yip's views on the resurrected social media debate about inequality in prize money to reward gold-winning Olympians and Paralympians in Singapore (0:45) Why the situation in Singapore is different for example, than it is in Australia, which recently announced that its Paralympians will get the same cash bonuses as their able-bodied counterparts (1:50) Chay says blame should not be aimed solely at the Government as there are various ways for public and corporate spheres to step in to close up monetary reward disparity (3:00) Yip addresses common views about the Paralympics being less competitive, and says Paralympic athletes put in as much as able-bodied counterparts into their sport, dedication and excellence (5:30) Yip's future plans, including opening a swim school and contributing back to the Singapore sports community (8:02)

Listen to Pt 1: Yip Pin Xiu on staying at the top as a Paralympic gold-medal champion: ST Sports Talk Ep 137: https://omny.fm/shows/gameoftwohalves-1/yip-pin-xiu-on-staying-at-the-top-as-a-paralympic

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg), Rohit Brijnath (rohitb@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim & Penelope Lee

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

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Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

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Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

Discover more ST podcast series:

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

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ST Sports Talk Ep 137 (Pt 1): Yip Pin Xiu on staying at the top as a Paralympic gold-medal champion

21:25 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

ST Sports' Sazali Abdul Aziz and Rohit Brijnath host Yip and her coach Mark Chay in this wide-ranging podcast - the first of two parts - covering her experiences, emotions, fiery self-belief, views on the para-sports scene in Singapore and the inevitable prize money debate for gold wins in the Olympics and Paralympics.

In Part 1, they cover the following points: How Yip's two gold medals at the Tokyo Games were different from previous Paralympic wins and also, special (1:45) Chay's perspective as a coach training a Paralympian for the first time, and how Tokyo 2020 had the form book and previous success formulas discarded (4:13) Yip describes each race and breaks down her mental and emotional challenges (8:52) Why the Paralympics are important to Singapore and why people should watch and support it (11:08) How has the local scene for para sports grown, and where it can improve in (14:32)

Listen to Pt 2: Yip Pin Xiu on Olympics and Paralympics prize money disparity debate in Singapore: https://omny.fm/shows/gameoftwohalves-1/yip-pin-xiu-on-olympics-and-paralympics-prize-mone

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg), Rohit Brijnath (rohitb@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim & Penelope Lee

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

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Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

Discover more ST podcast series:

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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ST Sports Talk Ep 136: MCCY's Edwin Tong on Joseph Schooling, fairweather sports fans, athlete accountability

16:20 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

Team Singapore has returned home from the Tokyo Olympics empty-handed but Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong insisted that there were "a lot of positives". These included the record 12 sports that Singapore is represented in at these Games by 23 athletes - 17 of whom are debutants - as well as some individual performances that Mr Tong said "stood out".

In this episode, assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz meet discuss with Mr Tong, the following: What Mr Tong said to Joseph Schooling after his swimming setbacks (0:42) On fairweather fan reaction when Singapore sports stars fail, and if athletes should also be accountable for performances (2:30) On why a detailed, honest and critical look is needed for what worked and what did not work for Team SG at Tokyo (4:15) On his reaction to online forum threads about Schooling's performance arc (8:06) Athletes' mental health is key, even for Team SG athletes and the role of the Singapore Sport Institute and National Youth Sports Institute (9:28)

Produced by: Rohit Brijnath (rohitb@sph.com.sg), Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) & ST Video team

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

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Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

Discover more ST podcast series:

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

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ST Sports Talk Ep 135: Road to the Olympics: The Joseph Schooling interview

18:55 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

After winning gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, life for swimmer Joseph Schooling is now a grind of sweat and purpose with a break only for Netflix and a rare 9 holes of golf. He shares the lessons he has learnt since then and his preparations for the Tokyo Games.

In this episode, assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz speak with Singapore's Olympic champion Joseph Schooling. Joseph Schooling’s gold dreams, lockdown lifestyle, and day-to-day routines (1:00) How is it being in the United States' sporting atmosphere (6:17) Lessons learnt after winning gold at the 2016 Olympics (7:28) Realities of serving National Service, managing expectations and goals for the next Olympics (12:20) How a muted audience at the Tokyo Olympics might affect his performance (16:39)

Produced by: Rohit Brijnath (rohitb@sph.com.sg), Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg), & ST Video team

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim & Fa'izah Sani

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

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Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

Discover more ST podcast series:

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

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ST Sports Talk Ep 134: What is next for Lions after Middle East disappointment?

21:47 mins

Synopsis: ST Sports Talk is The Straits Times' monthly sports podcast.

In this episode, sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan invite former professional player and coach Shasi Kumar - who commentated on all three of Singapore’s World Cup qualifying matches in Saudi Arabia June - to discuss why the national football team crumbled in the Middle East and what the Lions can do to rediscover the verve that made them a joy to watch not too long ago.

They discuss: Pandemic or league standard to blame for fitness levels? (3:42) Are criticisms of Tatsuma Yoshida’s squad selection valid? (6:56) How to forge leadership in the team? (12:37) Is Yoshida still the right man to lead the Lions? (16:44)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg), Deepanraj Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg) and Aleemah Basirah

Edited by: Aleemah Basirah

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

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Read Deepan Ganesan's stories: https://str.sg/3Z69

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

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ST Sports Talk Ep 133: More teenage footballers in Singapore Premier League - good or bad?

19:47 mins

Synopsis: ST Sports Talk is The Straits Times' monthly sports podcast.

In this episode, sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan hosts Young Lions head coach Philippe Aw and former youth coach Khairul Asyraf to talk about the emergence of 15-17 year-old footballers in the Singapore Premier League.

Aw and Khairul discuss if this trend will benefit Singapore football or if it's a sign of trouble.

They discuss the following: How some of these teenage footballers are assessed to be ready for professional football (1:18) Is the emergence of a 15-year-old in the SPL a sign of the decline in standard of the league (5:55) The benefits of giving young footballers an early debut (10:40) Why this trend may show a fault in the structure of youth development in Singapore football (12:25)

Produced by: Deepan Ganesan (gdeepan@sph.com.sg) and Sazali Abdul Aziz

Edited by: Aleemah Basirah

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

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Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

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Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

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ST Sports Talk Ep 132: Are more S’porean parents ready to back their children’s sporting dreams?

24:39 mins

Synopsis: ST Sports Talk is The Straits Times' monthly sports podcast.

In this episode, sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and sports reporter Laura Chia invite Vera Ong and David Chua, who are among a growing group of parents who have gone against the traditional grain and thrown their full support behind their childrens’ pursuit of elite-level sport.

Ms Ong is the mother of 19-year-old tennis player Ethan Lye, who has largely been based abroad since 2012 honing his skills, while Mr Chua is the father of 25-year-old national badminton player Grace, who has represented Singapore at three SEA Games and the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018.

They discuss: Why they decided to go all in, and whether they had doubts (1:20) Challenges as a parent taking this path (7:08) Have critics told them they’ve made the wrong decision? (14:56) How have their respective decisions affected them and their kids? (19:58)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg), Laura Chia (laura@sph.com.sg) and Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

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Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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ST Sports Talk Ep 131: Will Liverpool or Man United offer a stiffer challenge to City next season?

22:59 mins

Synopsis: ST Sports Talk is The Straits Times' monthly sports podcast.

In this episode, sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz discusses with EMTM Video features editor Jonathan Roberts - a Liverpool fan - and ST sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan - a Manchester United supporter - about what they learnt from the Premier League season just passed, and what we can expect on Aug 14 later this year, when the new season kicks off.

They discuss: Were injuries the only reason for Liverpool’s poor season? (1:48) Are Man United really moving in the right direction? (5:55) Could Harry Kane pitch up at Old Trafford? (12:27) Their picks for best performer, goal and moment (14:52)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) and Penelope Lee

Edited by: Aleemah Basirah

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

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Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

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ST Sports Talk Ep 130: Ex-Malaysia Cup star Abbas Saad reflects on rollercoaster football journey

7:22 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In this episode, sports correspondent David Lee talks to Singapore's former Malaysia Cup star Abbas Saad, who is in town to undergo the Asian Football Confederation Pro Licence course.

Abbas talks about how he was affected by the sensational match-fixing case in which he was convicted and received a lifetime ban from football-related activities in Singapore, which was later rescinded. He also shares who he thinks are the current Singapore players that could have made it to his 1994 M-League and Malaysia Cup-winning Lions team.

They discuss: Abbas' best memories of his Malaysia Cup adventures with Singapore (0:50) How he felt after receiving the ban (1:55) The meeting with fugitive and former Lions team-mate Michal Vana, a key figure in the match-fixing case (3:39) Players in the Singapore Premier League who excite him (5:28) His message to local footballers and fans (6:08)

Produced by: David Lee (davidlee@sph.com.sg) & ST Video team

Edited by: Aleemah Basirah

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

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Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow David Lee on Twitter: https://str.sg/JvnQ

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jvnm

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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ST Sports Talk Ep 129: Adriano Moraes on his journey from street fighter to MMA champion

8:38 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In this episode, sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz talks to One Championship’s flyweight world champion Adriano Moraes, on the back of his highlight-reel knockout of distinguished mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Demetrious Johnson at the One on TNT 1 event.

Moraes talks about how he nearly became drawn into a life of crime as a youth, after being abandoned as a newborn baby in an alley on the streets of Brasilia. He also details how discovering jiujitsu helped him toward a brighter future.

They discuss: A difficult early life, and how jiujitsu saved Moraes (1:51) Giving back to the community in Brasilia (4:40) What’s next for Moraes? (6:26)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Aleemah Basirah

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts

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ST Sports Talk Ep 128: A microscope over the business of the breakaway European Super League

30:07 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In this episode, sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chats with James Walton, who is sports business group leader at Deloitte South East Asia, about the financial reasons behind the audacious bid for a breakaway European Super League (ESL).

Sazali and Walton also discuss whether these clubs’ fans are partly to blame for fuelling their owners’ greed, how the ESL could change the future of broadcast deals and media consumption trends, whether other sports could follow suit, and whether Walton thinks the ESL will take off at all, given all the criticism.

They discuss: The three reasons behind the mooted breakaway (1:33) How much do teams participating stand to gain? (6:13) Should clubs be more sustainably-run? (13:26) The future of the landscape of broadcast deals (17:20) Whether other sports could see breakaway competitions too (23:01) A clear answer within two weeks (27:01)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) and Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts

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ST Sports Talk Ep 127: Jose Mourinho on pressure, man-management and Singapore

12:45 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In this episode, sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chats with Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho, who spoke to ST in an exclusive interview after a virtual live event organised by the club’s main sponsors AIA.

The 'Special One' chatted with ST about the new reality of football affected by Covid and how he has handled the pressure of being in some of football’s hottest seats.

He shares insights into his man management techniques, as well as his tip for stressed-out Singaporeans.

They discuss: Getting used to football's empty stadiums? (0:45) Coping with the pressure of being in football’s hot seats (3:09) Insights into his famed man-management (6:33) What he misses about Singapore (7:24)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) and ST Video team

Edited by: Aleemah Basirah

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts

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ST Sports Talk Ep 126: More Chinese footballers, and a SEA Games gold by 2029?

11:23 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In the final of a three-part series, ST sports editor Lee Yulin and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chat with the two men spearheading the government’s ambitious Unleash The Roar! project to lift Singapore football standards with the goal of getting the national team to the 2034 World Cup.

Their guests, Lim Teck Yin, chief executive officer of national sports agency Sport Singapore, and Bernard Tan, deputy president of the Football Association of Singapore, share how harnessing an untapped segment of the population could help achieve such targets, and by when.

They discuss: Can Singapore harness more Chinese talents? (1:06) Timing of milestones targeted under the project (5:23) A message to the Singapore public (7:29)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts

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ST Sports Talk Ep 125: Can children succeed in SG football with a good post-playing career?

13:23 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In the second of a three-part series, ST sports editor Lee Yulin and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chat with the two men spearheading the government’s ambitious Unleash The Roar! project to lift Singapore football standards with the goal of getting the national team to the 2034 World Cup.

Their guests, Lim Teck Yin, chief executive officer of national sports agency Sport Singapore, and Bernard Tan, deputy president of the Football Association of Singapore, share how they plan to convince parents to buy into their long-term plan for the local game.

They discuss: Can parents be convinced of a football future for their kids? (0:37) Singapore’s ‘generational change’ (8:15) To play or not to play? The dilemma during exams (9:37)

Listen to Pt 1 - How can football build a culture of excellence needed for Unleash The Roar plan?: https://omny.fm/shows/gameoftwohalves-1/how-can-football-build-a-culture-of-excellence-nee

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts

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ST Sports Talk Ep 124: How can football build a culture of excellence needed for Unleash The Roar plan?

12:27 mins

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points every month.

In the first of a three-part series, ST sports editor Lee Yulin and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chat with the two men spearheading the government’s ambitious Unleash The Roar! project to lift Singapore football standards with the goal of getting the national team to the 2034 World Cup.

Their guests, Lim Teck Yin, chief executive officer of national sports agency Sport Singapore, and Bernard Tan, deputy president of the Football Association of Singapore, shed more light into the plan and how they hope to achieve the targets set out.

They discuss: Can Singapore football develop a culture of excellence? (1:36) A 180 degree mindset shift needed - from coaches? (6:51) How Unleash The Roar is different from plans that came before (10:22)

Listen to Pt 2 - Can children succeed in SG football with a good post-playing career?: https://omny.fm/shows/gameoftwohalves-1/can-children-succeed-in-sg-football-with-a-good-po

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to ST Sports Talk Podcast and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 123: No shouting please; live tennis in the age of Covid

11:00 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast.

This week, sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and sports reporter Laura Chia chat about the recently-concluded Singapore Tennis Open, and the new norm of covering international live sports events.

They discuss: Antigen Rapid Tests - a game changer for live events? (1:57) Safe distancing, and no shouting please (4:12) Alexei Popyrin - remember the name (6:53) Could the ATP return to Singapore? (9:29)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts

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GameofTwoHalves Ep 122: Former US Open winner Marin Cilic talks pressure, focus and beating Federer

14:27 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast.

This week, sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath chat with world No.48 tennis player Marin Cilic, who is in town for the Singapore Tennis Open that takes place at the OCBC Arena from Feb 22 to 28.

The 32-year-old Croatian player, who won the US Open in 2014 and was ranked as high as World No.3 just two years ago, is one of a select group of players who can boast of beating Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

They discuss: Playing Federer at a Maldives resort (0:51) What happens when a top tennis player is in “the zone” (5:36) Differences playing Djokovic, Nadal and Federer (7:28) Titles or longevity at the top in G.O.A.T debate? (12:12)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg)

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 121: Victoria Lee on hype, pressure and siblings ahead of pro MMA debut

9:45 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast.

This week, sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz talks to Victoria Lee, the 16-year-old sister of One Championship mixed martial arts (MMA) world champions Christian and Angela.

Victoria will make her professional MMA debut against Thailand’s Sunisa Srisen at One Championship’s Fists of Fury event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Feb 26.

The junior at Mililani High School in Hawaii talks about her preparations for her big fight.

What does Victoria think about the possibility of an atomweight MMA fight against her sister in the future?

They discuss:

How to handle all the hype and pressure (1:06)
Comparisons with her older siblings (3:20)
What can fans expect in Victoria’s debut? (5:51)
The Lee MMA family’s ‘hitlist’ when in S’pore (8:24)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg)

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 120: An Australian Open like no other

14:20 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times’ weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

This week, ST sports editor Lee Yulin and assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath discuss tennis’ first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, which began on Monday (Feb 8).

The topics: Rohit assesses the men’s draw and predicts which players will go deep (3:24) What makes Rafael Nadal extraordinary (5:18) Why Rohit thinks women’s tennis is more exciting than the men’s game now (6:41) What would be Rohit’s dream women’s singles final? (9:40) Does Serena Williams need to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slams to burnish her legacy? (12:36)

Produced by: Lee Yulin (yulin@sph.com.sg)

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to the #GameOfTwoHalves Podcast and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Rohit Brijnath on Twitter: https://str.sg/JraG

Read his stories: https://bit.ly/3a2sAvR

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf

Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN

Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2

PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad

Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 119: What is the impact of cancelling the Olympics?

14:28 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

This week, sports correspondent David Lee, assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan look at the possible scenario of the Tokyo Olympics being cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and the consequences for its various stakeholders.

They also look at the differing fortunes of the two Manchester clubs who have eyes on the English Premier League title, before discussing the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup draw that involved three Singaporean teams - Tampines Rovers, Lion City Sailors and Geylang International.

They discuss the following:

What do the Olympics mean to sports fans? (0:54)
What is at stake if the Olympics are held or not? (4:00)
What is wrong with Manchester United? (8:50)
Is it going to be a damage-limiting exercise for Tampines Rovers in the AFC Champions League? (11:00)
How far can the Singaporean teams progress in the AFC Cup? (12:50)

Produced by: David Lee (davidlee@sph.com.sg)

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow David Lee Twitter: https://twitter.com/STdavidLee

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 118: Are profiteers targeting sports-starved Singaporeans?

14:06 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

This week sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan explore an ST news report that revealed bookings for public sports facilities are being resold - at a higher rate - on platforms like Facebook, Meetup and Telegram.

The two also chat about the Lion City Sailors’ new $2.9m man Diego Lopes - signed after some some ex-EPL players were said to be considered by the club - and what the Brazilian’s arrival could mean for the Singapore Premier League (SPL), with the new season set to kickoff in about a month’s time.

They discuss the following: Is the practice of reselling sports facility bookings widespread, even during pre-Covid days? (2:08) When The Straits Times confronted an alleged profiteer (4:26) Lopes’ quality over big names in the SPL a prudent choice? (8:28) What to keep an eye on in the 2021 SPL season (10:38)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg)

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SazaliAbdulAziz

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 117: NMP Mark Chay on plans to help local sport survive beyond Covid-19

19:23 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

This week ST Sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz hosts former national swimmer Mark Chay, who was among the nine new Nominated Members of Parliament selected to serve a two-and-a-half year term. Olympian Chay, 38, talks about why he decided to step forward, what his priorities will be, and how he is preparing to take on the role.

Sazali also chats with ST sports reporter Kimberly Kwek, who reports on-site on a surreal experience at the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M2 World Championship at the Shangri-La Hotel.

They discuss the following: Why Chay decided to serve as an NMP (2:08) The issues he aims to raise in Parliament (3:29) How he plans to be an effective voice (8:28) How e-sports has coped with positive Covid tests (13:09)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg)

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 116: Indra Sahdan on how to groom Singapore's next goal machine

14:54 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

This week ST Sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz hosts former national captain and Lions marksman Indra Sahdan, who is offering commercial specialised striker coaching sessions called The Finishing Touch, to budding talents, as he hopes to give back and hopefully help groom a future generation of Singaporean goalscorers.

The big-game player - who scored against Manchester United, Japan, Denmark and Uruguay - also shares his thoughts on the modern striker’s role, how he honed his own skills and which of his over 200 strikes he cherishes most (Hint: It’s not one of the above).

They discuss the following:

Why he decided to offer such classes (1:28)
Goalscoring instinct: God-given or honed? (4:58)
The dearth of top Singaporean strikers (10:03)
Indra’s own personal favourite strike (12:07)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Muhammad Firmann & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Muhammad Firmann

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 115: What to look forward to in sport in 2021

16:34 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

ST Sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz hosts ST’s sports editor Lee Yulin and assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath, as they share what they hope for from both local and international sports and athletes in the new year.

Sazali, Yulin and Rohit also give their takes on the biggest changes Covid-19 has made on the Singapore sporting landscape.

They discuss the following:

Why seeing Federer at Wimbledon is top of Rohit’s wishlist (1:16)
Wanted: More admiration for, and fewer shackles on, local athletes (3:35)
Excitement or apprehension ahead of the Tokyo Olympics? (8:29)
The biggest impact of Covid on Singapore sport (10:35)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Muhammad Firmann

Edited by: Muhammad Firmann

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 114: Breaking at the Olympics and the Singapore scene; EPL wrap

19:29 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

Money FM's Adrian Abraham talks to ST sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee, and sports broadcaster Shehzad Haque, as they talk about North London clubs Spurs and Arsenal slipping up again, while Manchester United and Liverpool celebrate high-scoring wins.

Abraham, Sazali and Lee also talk about breaking, or breakdancing as known to some, which was given a huge boost when the International Olympic Committee included it, alongside surfing, skateboarding and sports climbing, as events to be included at the Olympics in Paris 2024.

They discuss the following:

Where has it gone wrong for Arsenal and Spurs? (1:18)
Why Man United’s title bid could be a “mirage” (6:06)
The Red Devils’ underrated straight shooter (8:58)
The breaking scene in Singapore (12:26)
Should breaking be considered a sport? (14:44)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) & Adrian Abraham (matta@sph.com.sg)

Edited by: Adrian Abraham and Muhammad Firmann

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep.113: Singapore athletes fight back against body shaming, mistreatment

17:30 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

Money FM's Adrian Abraham talks to ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz about local athletes speaking out against a culture of abuse - both physically and mentally - which they have been victim to for years.

They are later joined by ST content producer Zia-ul Raushan to recap the weekend’s talking points in European football as an odd season continues. In the English Premier League, the top teams all drop points, while in the La Liga, Real beat Atletico in the Madrid derby which means a fairytale season continues for Real Sociedad at the top of the table.

They discuss the following:

Mostly good, some ugly, reactions to stories of athlete abuse (1:23)
Some examples of what some local athletes have had to endure (2:58)
Is there anything manager Mikel Arteta can do to salvage Arsenal’s season - and his job? (6:45)
In an odd EPL season, the Saints of Southampton shine bright (10:00)
David Silva, Adnan Januzaj powering a dream Sociedad season (15:48)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) & Adrian Abraham (matta@sph.com.sg)

Edited by: Adrian Abraham and Muhammad Firmann

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 112: What to make of foreign dominance in the SPL?

19:54 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

Albirex Niigata were crowned Singapore Premier League champions for the fourth time in five seasons on Dec 5. Their win also ensured that the wait for a local club to lift the league title continues into 2021.

Money FM's Adrian Abraham talks to ST sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee on whether Albirex winning the title again should jolt local football, and whether having foreign teams in the SPL is good for the game here.

The three are joined by ST content producer Zia-ul Raushan to recap the weekend’s talking points in European football. Tottenham Hotspur reclaim top spot in the English Premier League and Arsenal slip to their worst start in 45 years, Manchester United pull off another comeback, the Kop power Liverpool to a big win over Wolves, and Chelsea avoid a banana peel by seeing off Leeds.

They discuss the following:

A wake up call for local SPL teams and players? (0:54)
Do Albirex and Brunei DPMM benefit S’pore football? (4:14)
A Mourinho masterclass - in tactics and acting (10:26)
A worldie by Paul Pogba, but little else (13:23)
Which sides are shaping up as contenders to the EPL? (15:49)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) & Adrian Abraham (matta@sph.com.sg)

Edited by: Adrian Abraham and Muhammad Firmann

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 111: Squeaky bum time in the Singapore Premier League

22:12 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

It’s squeaky bum time in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) with a new league champion set to be crowned on Saturday (Dec 5) so this week, Money FM's Adrian Abraham talks to ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and sports broadcaster Shehzad Haque about whether Tampines Rovers can hang on to the top spot they climbed to last weekend, and win their first league title since 2013.

The three also discuss the legacy that Diego Maradona left on the footballing world, as well as talk about all the latest English Premier League action - whether Tottenham Hotspur are legitimate title contenders, Man United’s match-winner Edinson Cavani in hot soup over a social media post, and Arsenal’s bizarre bluntness in attack.

They discuss the following: 1. Can Tampines hold on to top spot for two more games? (1:38)

A lack of women coaches in Singapore sport (6:00)
What Maradona meant to football (8:52)
A discussion on the weekend’s EPL action (14:10)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) & Adrian Abraham (matta@sph.com.sg)

Edited by: Adrian Abraham and Muhammad Firmann

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 110: Quah Ting Wen on competing in Int'l Swimming League

13:59 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

This week, Money FM's Adrian Abraham talks to ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and ST content producer Zia-ul Raushan and they discuss the English Premier League which returned after football’s international break. They agree Liverpool’s victory over Leicester City underlined the Reds’ class, but disagree over whether Tottenham Hotspur have what it takes to mount a serious title challenge after their 2-0 win over Manchester City.

They are joined in the second half of the show by national swimmer Quah Ting Wen, who shares her experience competing at the International Swimming League (ISL) in Budapest this past month. The 28-year-old multiple SEA Games gold medallist wrote four columns for ST charting her journey in Hungary, and talks about how swimming among the world’s best has helped her as she works toward her goal of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

They discuss the following:

Liverpool crisis talk premature (1:08)
Are Spurs the real deal? (2:44)
Quah Ting Wen talks about her ISL experience (6:42)
Is swimming as a career viable? (9:13)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) & Adrian Abraham (matta@sph.com.sg)

Edited by: Adrian Abraham and Muhammad Firmann

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 109: Is Hamilton F1’s G.O.A.T? Should international friendlies be scrapped?

15:47 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

This week, Money FM's Adrian Abraham talks to ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and ST content producer Zia-ul Raushan, who discuss history-making milestones: Lewis Hamilton’s record-equalling championship win at the Turkish Grand Prix, and golfer Dustin Johnson’s Masters tournament win - in style - at Augusta National.

Adrian and Sazali are also joined by sports broadcaster Shehzad Haque, and they talk about whether international football friendlies should be scrapped with the coronavirus pandemic still not under control.

They discuss the following:

Is Hamilton Formula One’s G.O.A.T? (0:50)
An acid test for an Singapore Premier League title contender (7:37)
International friendlies: Pointless? (9:57)
England: Man United in disguise? (12:28)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) & Adrian Abraham (matta@sph.com.sg)

Edited by: Adrian Abraham and Muhammad Firmann

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 108: SPL title race hots up; United rescue their manager

16:17 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

This week, Money FM's Adrian Abraham and ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz talk about the Singapore Premier League (SPL), which has reached its halfway point, as well as a hijacked Zoom session hosted by Singapore Athletics, which led to a police report being made.

They are also joined by ST content producer Zia-ul Raushan and they recap the weekend’s talking points in the English Premier League, as well as in the Spanish La Liga and Italian Serie A. They discuss the following: Could we see a three-horse race develop in the SPL? (2:53) Local football mourns the loss of former national footballer Salim Moin (3:42) Zoom troubles for Singapore Athletics (5:26) Stay of execution for Man United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - but for how long? (10:44)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) & Adrian Abraham (matta@sph.com.sg)

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter

Edited by: Adrian Abraham and Muhammad Firmann

Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 107: New normal for attending live sports events?

15:01

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

This week, Money FM's Adrian Abraham and ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz talk about the Inside the Matrix event held by mixed martial arts organisation One Championship on Oct 30, which saw the return of spectators at a live sports event for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, albeit with new procedures - which included a swab test.

They are also joined by ST content producer Zia-ul Raushan and recap the weekend’s talking points in the English Premier League.

They discuss the following:

What the future of watching sport events in Singapore could look like (2:24)
A big result for Tampines Rovers in the Singapore Premier League (4:37)
What next for Solskjaer and Manchester United after the Arsenal defeat? (7:42)
Is Diogo Jota the successor to Roberto Firmino at Liverpool? (11:44)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) & Adrian Abraham (matta@sph.com.sg)

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter

Edited by: Adrian Abraham and Muhammad Firmann

Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 106: Fans set to return to live sport

19:26 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

This week, Money FM's Rachel Kelly and ST sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz welcome One Championship chief executive officer Chatri Sityodtong to talk about his mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation’s Into The Matrix event taking place on Oct 30, which will herald the return of spectators at live sports events in the Republic.

They discuss the following:

When and how the decision was made to include spectators (3:37)
Whether being under the microscope as a pilot project is stressful (8:28)
What fans can look forward to at Into The Matrix (16:01)
This week’s Game of Two Halves Moments of the Week (17:59)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) & Rachel Kelly (rachelk@sph.com.sg)

Follow Sazali on Twitter

Edited by: Nadiah Koh and Muhammad Firmann

Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 105: SPL returns to a palpable buzz; are Man United back in it?

14:33 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

This week, Money FM's Howie Lim chats with ST sports correspondent David Lee and Hougang United defender Lionel Tan to talk about what is different about the Singapore Premier League as it resumes from the coronavirus-induced break. They also have differing views about whether their favourite English team Manchester United's fortunes, but agree that the video assistant referee robbed archrivals, Liverpool, the Merseyside derby.

They discuss the following:

What has been different about the Singapore Premier League as it resumes from the coronavirus-induced break (0:52)
Was it a surprise win for Hougang over favourites Tampines? (5:35)
What does the truce between Singapore Athletics and national marathoner Soh Rui Yong mean (7:38)
Have Manchester United turned the corner after beating Newcastle 4-1 (10:34)
Thoughts about the video assistant referee, which was a key player in the Merseyside derby that ended 2-2(12:27)

Produced by: David Lee (davidlee@sph.com.sg) & Howie Lim (howielim@sph.com.sg)

Follow David Lee on Twitter

Edited by: Muhammad Firmann

Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on:

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 104: It’s Game On in the Singapore Premier League after almost 7 months

14:41 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

This week, Money FM's Rachel Kelly and ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz welcome Football Association of Singapore (FAS) general secretary Yazeen Buhari, who talks about how the national football body worked toward a restart of the local professional league - which will resume on Oct 17 after being suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic - and what fans can expect once kickoff arrives.

They discuss the following: How long FAS had been planning the resumption (1:36) Whether there was a point where it seemed the SPL might not return in 2020 (5:52) The new normal: swab tests, where substitutes sit, and are there handshakes (8:36) Could we see fans back at the stadiums for SPL games before 2020 ends? (11:46) Not one, but two Game of Two Halves Moments of the Week (13:04)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) & Rachel Kelly (rachelk@sph.com.sg)

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter

Edited by: Nadiah Koh and Muhammad Firmann

Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 103: Huge defeats for Man Utd, Liverpool; sporting #Covidiots flouting safe distancing

13:51 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

This week, Money FM's Howie Lim chats with ST sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee and they try to make sense of one of the most bizarre matchdays in English Premier League history, when both Manchester United and Liverpool were embarrassed by heavy defeats within hours of one another.

They discuss the following: Whether Man United’s and Liverpool’s losses were one-offs or signs of trouble (2:02) A United fan’s brutal assessment of the problems within the club (3:25) Are table-toppers Everton the real deal? (7:35) Why are Singaporeans flouting the ‘rule of five’ at public sports facilities like basketball and street soccer courts? (8:55) Live sport set to return to Singapore for the first time since circuit breaker measures (11:28)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) & Howie Lim (howielim@sph.com.sg)

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter

Edited by: Nadiah Koh and Muhammad Firmann

Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 102: New S’pore Athletics chief Lien Choong Luen describes his vision of “golden era” in the local scene

14:10 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

This week, Money FM's Rachel Kelly and ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz speak to new Singapore Athletics (SA) president Lien Choong Luen on what lies ahead for his team as they begin their two-year period leading the national track and field body, and what needs to be done for the ailing sport to thrive again.

They discuss the following: What the new SA management committee seeks to achieve in its first 100 days (1:07) What he plans do about the legal issues the SA is embroiled in, that he and his team have inherited (4:04) What the strong mandate given to his team by the local athletics fraternity at the SA elections means (5:03) Whether he believes local track and field can get back to the success of the 60s and 70s, remembered by many as Singapore’s “golden era” in the sport (9:23) Local track and field’s “missed opportunity” in 2015 (10:51) The “travesty” that is this episode’s #GameOfTwoHalves Moment of the Week (12:37)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg) & Rachel Kelly (rachelk@sph.com.sg)

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter

Edited by: Nadiah Koh and Muhammad Firmann

Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 101: EPL round-up, and success in elite sport with unconventional methods

19:17 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

This week, Money FM's Howie Lim hosts ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and the trio talk about the English Premier League action over the weekend, and what the performances of Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs and Manchester United mean for each side.

They also look at the 1.85m, 109kg Bryson DeChambeau’s maiden golf major win at the US Open, and delve into athletes who try to seek success in their sport by going against norm or by the traditional playbook. Spanish triathlete Diego Mentriga also gets a mention for his instinctive act of sportsmanship.

They discuss the following:

A highlight of the Liverpool-Chelsea clash which wasn’t the red card or either of the two goals (0:49)
The disconnect between big clubs’ spending amidst the pandemic (2:46)
What Gareth Bale can bring to Spurs, and should Man United fans be concerned? (6:18)
Golfers Bryson DeChambeau and Matthew Wolff proving at the US Open that going against the grain can be rewarding (8:28)
This week’s Game of Two Halves Moment of the Week (14:33)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg), Rohit Brijnath (rohitb@sph.com.sg) & Howie Lim (howielim@sph.com.sg)

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter

Edited by: Nadiah Koh and Muhammad Firmann

Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 100: Lions skipper and Liverpool fan Hariss Harun reviews Leeds goal fest

12:20 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

The English Premier League returned over the weekend, and defending champions Liverpool were given a scare by newly-promoted Leeds United before winning 4-3.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly hosts ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and national football captain Hariss Harun - a Liverpool fan - to review the action.

They discuss the following:

What they think Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds can achieve this season (1:32)
What it is like to start a football season as defending champions, and how to handle that pressure and early setbacks (3:00)
Hariss on going head to head with Andres Iniesta in the Asian Champions League (5:31)
This week’s Game of Two Halves Moment of the Week (10:02)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz (msazali@sph.com.sg), Rachel Kelly (rachelk@sph.com.sg) & Ernest Luis

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter

Edited by: Nadiah Koh & Muhammad Firmann

Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 99: The big EPL kickoff: Are Chelsea contenders or pretenders?

14:20 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Howie Lim calls up ST assistant sports editor Jonathan Wong and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz to discuss the following topics:

The English Premier League kicks off this weekend, and all eyes are on big-spending Chelsea - is their summer shopping spree enough to turn them into genuine title contenders, or will it backfire on Frank Lampard? And which manager will get the sack first this season?
There were some surprises over the weekend in Formula One - Lewis Hamilton finished seventh at the Italian Grand Prix after starting on pole - and the US Open - with huge favourite Novak Djokovic being disqualified after a bizarre incident with a line judge. Our podcasters weigh in on the unexpected turn of events.

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcasts every Tuesday and rate us on:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 98: Where next for Messi; what next for Singapore Athletics

11:52 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST sports journalists Nicole Chia and David Lee to discuss the following topics. Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi continues to angle for a move after falling out with his employers, but who can afford him and what are the potential obstacles? Singapore Athletics president Tang Weng Fei will step down after a tumultuous term. What are some of the ongoing disputes and what does the future hold for Singapore Athletics?

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcasts every Tuesday and rate us on:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 97: ST Run goes virtual; group that bid for Newcastle under scrutiny

11:25 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Howie Lim calls up ST sports editor Lee Yulin and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz to discuss the following topics.

The Straits Times launches its first-ever virtual run. Find out more about this unique initiative.
Since putting in a much-publicised bid to take over English Premier League club Newcastle United, Singaporeans Nelson and Terence Loh and Bellagraph Nova Group co-founder Evangeline Shen, have come under scrutiny following an admission from a spokesman that the group doctored some images in its publicity materials.

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcasts every Tuesday and rate us on:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 96: Singaporean ownership of top European clubs; Barcelona's woes

12:40 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST sports correspondents David Lee and Sazali Abdul Aziz to discuss the following topics. A deeper look at the Loh cousins' (local entrepreneurs Terence Loh and Nelson Loh) bid to take over Newcastle United and why fans are unhappy with Peter Lim's management at Valencia. Barcelona lost 8-2 to Germany's Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final to finish a season without a trophy for the first time since 2008. Will they turn the corner or lose more ground to Real Madrid?

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcasts every Tuesday and rate us on:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 95: AFF Suzuki Cup postponed to 2021; can Arsenal or Chelsea challenge Liverpool for EPL next?

13:28 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST sports correspondents David Lee and Sazali Abdul Aziz to discuss the following topics.

First half: The 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup has been postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. What are the considerations and ramifications?

Second half: Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 to lift a record 14th FA Cup. What are the main talking points and can either team challenge Liverpool for the English Premier League title in the next season?

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcasts every Tuesday and rate us on:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 94: Athlete abuse in Singapore and world sport; are Man United returning to glory days

11:48 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST sports reporter Nicole Chia and sports corresponden David Lee to discuss the following topics: A deeper look at athlete abuse in Singapore and world sport. Why has former national skater Yu Shuran and former national gymnastics coach Gerrit Beltman come out respectively to talk about being abused and being an abusive coach? The English Premier League is done and dusted. What were the big stories on the final day and how far are Manchester United away from their glory days?

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 93: Are athletes well represented in NSAs; key battles in EPL's final week

13:17 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath, sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee to discuss the following topics: What is the fuss about Singapore Athletics' latest general meeting and what is the state of athlete representation in national sports associations in Singapore The English Premier League title is decided, but there is still plenty to look forward to in the final week of the season with tantalising battles for Champions League spots and to avoid the drop.

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 92: New NUS geography department module to tackle football's global impact; Sportslink closes down

11:11 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz, ST sports reporter Kimberly Kwek and Dr Shaun Lin, a lecturer from the National University of Singapore's (NUS) geography department.

They discuss the following topics: The introduction of an unusual module titled Worlds Of Football that will be taught at NUS next semester. Dr Lin talks about how geography and football are related, the different aspects of football that will be covered in the course and what the department hopes to achieve from the module. The closure of the beloved home-grown sports retail store Sportslink on July 3.

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 91: Singaporean cager Ariel Loiter nets prestigious NCAA basketball scholarship

12:39 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In the first half, Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up national cager Ariel Loiter, the first Singaporean to earn a full scholarship to play NCAA's Division 1 basketball in the United States. The Colgate University-bound Loiter talks about how she fell in love with basketball, her long-term targets and shares advice for other young, aspiring local female athletes.

In the second half, ST sports reporters Nicole Chia and Kimberly Kwek talk about the fates of two major local sports events: the HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens and the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. The Oct 10-11 Singapore Sevens was cancelled last week owing to the coronavirus pandemic, while it remains to be seen whether the Dec 5-6 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon will go ahead as planned.

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 90: What Liverpool's first league title in 30 years means to fans

13:40 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up digital editor of The New Paper Jonathan Roberts, ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports reporter Nicole Chia.

They discuss the following topics:

1. Liverpool's English Premier League title win and what it means for the team and its fans.

Men's tennis world No. 1 Novak Djokovic has come under fire for his involvement in the Adria Tour, an exhibition series meant to bring some of the world's top players to the Balkans. Several tennis players, including Djokovic himself, and their coaches have contracted Covid-19. Safety measures at the event were lax, with physical distancing not practised and the absence of required testing for Covid-19. Why is the criticism valid and how should athletes be using their influence and voice in these times?
Why the ActiveSG indoor sports halls were closed on Sunday and how SportSG is stepping up measures to prevent users from flouting the rules.

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 89: Sporting Singapore's Phase 2 reactions

13:04 mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is a weekly Tuesday sports podcast by the Straits Times' sports desk.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and sports reporter Nicole Chia.

They discuss the following topics:

1. Singapore moved to phase two of post-circuit breaker measures last Friday, and this meant sports facilities also reopened after more than two months. What kind of precautions or safety measures did some of the facilities have in place?

2. The English Premier League returned last week, with 12 games played over four days. What are the key takeaway points?

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 88: Setting Lion City Sailors Football Academy apart from others

12:39 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz, as well as a special guest, Tan Li Yu, who is the general manager of the newly-launched Lion City Sailors Football Academy.

In the first half of this podcast, Kelly asks Tan what sets the Lion City Sailors Football Academy apart from other private academies and club youth set-ups in Singapore.

In the second half, she then discusses with Sazali about the English Premier League that will return on Wednesday, after over three months, with two matches.

Which teams could hit the ground running or struggle?

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 87: Difficulties faced as sports begin to restart around the world

11:22 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST sports reporter Nicole Chia and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz.

They discuss the following topics in the first and second halves of this episode:

Singapore sport is beginning to emerge from the Covid-19 break with some of the country's Olympics and Paralympics-bound athletes resuming training last week. How different were the training conditions for the athletes fortunate enough to get back into action last week? What was their reaction to the safe distancing measures in place and were there any other difficulties that the athletes faced?
The football fraternity faces a list of challenges as it tries to get the SPL restarted. What are some of the main challenges and what are players and officials saying about the resumption?

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 86: Post-circuit breaker scenarios for Singapore's September F1 Grand Prix outcome

12:22 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST assistant sports editor Jonathan Wong and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz.

They discuss the following topics in the first and second halves of this episode:

It is a tricky time for sport in Singapore; the government has begun to ease up on circuit breaker restrictions, but there is little to suggest the Republic's battle against the coronavirus pandemic will end anytime soon. This puts events like the Singapore Grand Prix, scheduled for Sept 20, in serious doubt. What are the likely scenarios?
Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong last week said the move to Phase Two of post-circuit breaker measures could happen before the scheduled date of July 2. Sport Singapore has just announced that athletes who have qualified or are close to qualifying for the Olympics and Paralympics, can return to training on June 2 under "controlled conditions". What does this mean for athletes?

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 85: Reality of sports events behind closed doors

13:16 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz.

They discuss the following topics in the first and second halves of this episode:

Among the top European football leagues, the German Bundesliga was the first to return to action behind closed doors. Sports elsewhere saw a charity golf match featuring world No.1 Rory McIlroy. How did they turn out? What are the downsides to sports events without fans and is there a silver lining for now?
Why can't Singapore's Formula One Grand Prix be held behind closed doors? We find out the reasons so far.

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 84: Merits of closed UFC 249 fight; Michael Jordan Netflix documentary storming success

14:09 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz.

They discuss the following topics:

Mixed martial arts is back in the form of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which held its UFC 249 event over the weekend in Florida. Was the event considered a success and will it pave the way for the return of other major sports?
The sports documentary that has taken the world, and Singapore, by storm: The Last Dance. The miniseries, centered around Michael Jordan and his last season with the Chicago Bulls in 1998, is among the top 10 most-watched Netflix shows in Singapore. Why is it so compelling?

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 83: Can Singapore be the best in chess; solving incomplete football leagues

12:42 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee.

They discuss the following topics:

That unassuming young kid in your neighbourhood could be a chess whiz, as some pre-teens here already have international acclaim. But what separates them from that elusive Grandmaster status?
Several European football leagues have ended their campaigns with various debatable approaches, including the point-per-game method in the French Ligue. When will Asean leagues resume, if at all, and what are the repercussions on the respective national teams?

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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Thank you for your support! ST and BT Podcasts picked up a silver medal for Best Digital Project to engage younger and/or millennial audiences at 2019 Asian Digital Media Awards by Wan-Ifra: https://str.sg/Jw5T

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 82: S'pore sport loses trailblazer in Pennefather; e-sports thrives through coronavirus

12:04 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and ST sports reporter Kimberly Kwek.

They discuss the following topics:

On the morning of Monday (April 27), Annabel Pennefather - a trailblazer for women in Singapore sport and a prominent sports administrator - died. The podcasters talk about her contributions to Singapore sport, as well as what made her so admired by the fraternity.
Singapore-based mixed martial arts organisation One Championship announced its first official athlete rankings for select weight divisions across MMA, muay thai and kickboxing. What does this move mean for athletes and fans?
The coronavirus pandemic has halted major sports and emptied arenas all over the world, but sports fans have found an alternative - e-sports. Just how big has the boom been and can it continue?

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 81: SPL footballers get pay cut reprieve; initiatives aiding S'pore sports, fitness and wellness professionals

11:43 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and ST sports reporter Nicole Chia.

They discuss the following topics: Almost two weeks after ST reported that some Singapore Premier League (SPL) clubs were mulling pay cuts for players as a result of disrupted revenue during the league's suspension because of coronavirus, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced that all club employee salaries would be retained in full. What led to the call being made? With the entire sports industry grinding to a halt because of the Covid-19 virus, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu took some time to speak to the local sporting community over Facebook, and shared initiatives available to those in the sports and health and wellness industry, such as freelance fitness coaches and private gym owners, whose livelihoods have been affected.

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 80: How national athletes stay fit at home; coronavirus effects on Singapore athletes

12:46 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Howie Lim calls up ST sports correspondent David Lee, ST sports reporter Nicole Chia and Olympian shooter Jasmine Ser.

They discuss the following topics: The Singapore Government's circuit breaker measures have led to national athletes finding creative ways to work out while at home. Find out how the likes of Olympian shooter Jasmine Ser and netball Aqilah Andin are using household items to exercise.

How has the coronavirus pandemic affected Singapore athletes both here and overseas?

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 79: Should professional footballers take pay cuts? Coronavirus effects on Singapore sports

11:36 mins

Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Bernard Lim calls up ST sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee.

They discuss the following questions: Top football professionals in Spain, Italy and Germany have accepted pay cuts during the global coronavirus epidemic, but the Professional Footballers’ Association in England has been slow to act. Will players in Singapore, on much smaller wages, face the same fate? The Singapore Government's new circuit-breaker measures effectively bring sports to a grinding halt in the country, as almost all sports and recreational facilities will be closed for at least a month. What is the reaction and how can people still exercise and stay active in Singapore?

Produced by: Bernard Lim & ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 78: Tokyo 2021 repercussions; Should coronavirus-affected leagues be voided?

12:00 mins

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Bernard Lim calls up ST sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee.

They discuss the following questions: Tokyo 2020 is now officially Tokyo 2021. What are the repercussions of such an unprecedented postponement of the Olympics and who will be most affected? Almost the entire sporting world has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and in football, it doesn't look like a resumption date is in sight for the top European leagues. Should results stand or should they be voided?

Produced by: Bernard Lim & ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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Thank you for your support! ST & BT Podcasts picked up a silver medal for Best Digital Project to engage younger and/or millennial audiences at 2019 Asian Digital Media Awards by Wan-Ifra:

https://str.sg/Jw5T

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 77: Tokyo Olympics postponed till 2021, local sports virtually grounded

10:50 min

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this special edition, The Straits Times' sports editor Lee Yulin hosts sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and sports journalist Nicole Chia.

They discuss the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics as well as the impact of the Ministry of Health's stringent new measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in local sport.

Produced by: ST Sports desk

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 76: Olympics edges closer to a delay; sport's new look in Singapore

11:49 min

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Bernard Lim calls up ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports reporter Kimberly Kwek.

The International Olympic Committee is now looking into the possibility of delaying the Tokyo Games, which was due to start in July, due to the coronavirus pandemic. While back home in Singapore, new measures to encourage physical distancing at public sports venues plus new precautionary measures in fitness outfits have been implemented.

The ST sports team looks at the impact of these developments.

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 75: World and local sport in meltdown, Singapore cycling's Tour de France dream

13:08 min

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Bernard Lim calls up ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and sports reporter Nicole Chia.

Major sports leagues such as the NBA and English Premier League suspended their competitions as the coronavirus made its impact felt in Europe and North America. Locally, stringent government regulations introduced to stem the spread of the virus were set in place. The ST sports team looks at the impact of these developments.

Singapore aims to have a local rider at the Tour de France in 10 years' time. We take a close look at Singapore Cycling's ambitious plans.

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 74: Flap over FAS' Goal 2034, heading to be banned for U12s

9:12 mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Bernard Lim calls up ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and sports reporter Kimberly Kwek.

The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth has declared that Goal 2034 "is a goal set by FAS", and not the Government. The ST sports team discusses what this frank statement means for the Football Association of Singapore's ambitious project to get the Lions to qualify for the 2034 World Cup.

Heading a football will be banned by the FAS and academies for those under the age of 12. The team discusses this decision.

Produced by: ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 73: Will the Tokyo Olympics be derailed by the coronavirus?

11:27 mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Bernard Lim calls up ST sports correspondents David Lee and Sazali Abdul Aziz.

They discuss the doubts that have swirled around the staging of the July 24-Aug 9 Tokyo Olympics because of the coronavirus situation. Will the Games go on, or could an unprecedented cancellation during peacetime be on the cards? And amidst all the uncertainty, would a postponement be a viable solution?

Meanwhile in Singapore, the 2020 season of the Singapore Premier League officially kicked off last Saturday (Feb 29). Lee and Sazali share their thoughts on the opening round of action, pick out their highlights and gaze into their crystal ball to name some possible stars and title contenders, in the season ahead.

Produced by: Bernard Lim & ST Sports Desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 72: Can Amir Khan be King of the Jungle; What's hot in new SPL season

9:04 mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Bernard Lim calls up local professional MMA fighter Amir Khan, who will compete at the One Championship King of the Jungle event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday (Feb 28). He shares his thoughts on his opponent Kimihiro Eto and his thoughts on how the coronavirus situation has affected his preparation and the upcoming fight.

ST sports correspondents David Lee comes on the show to talk about the Singapore Premier League (SPL) that kicks off this Saturday. In the 25th season of the SPL, which teams, players and even initiatives, should fans look out for?

Produced by: Bernard Lim & ST sports desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Ernest Luis

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 71: Singapore's first privatised football club; Man City's European ban

10:02mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Bernard Lim calls up ST sports correspondents David Lee and Sazali Abdul Aziz.

Last Friday, Singapore's first privatised professional football club was unveiled as the Lion City Sailors announced their arrival and participation in the upcoming season of the Singapore Premier League (SPL), which kicks off on Feb 29.

It is a new private entity that will replace two-time champions Home United in the SPL. The Sailors are owned by Sea, a home-grown Internet company valued at more than US$21 billion (S$29.1 billion).

The Sailors are hoping to make waves not just in Singapore, but in Asia. Is such a move good or bad for Singapore football?

In the English Premier League, champions Manchester City have been hit with a two-year suspension from Uefa competitions after being found guilty of committing serious breaches of financial fair play regulations by European football's governing body. What are the repercussions?

Produced by: Bernard Lim & ST sports desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Ernest Luis

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 70: Coronavirus affecting local sports; Joseph

Schooling's US gamble

13:24 mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Bernard Lim calls up ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondent David Lee.

As Singapore moved its disease outbreak response up from yellow to orange with the novel coronavirus spreading further within the country, some sports are understandably choosing to play it safe, while others have decided that life must go on, while taking some precautionary measures.

Our podcasters discuss the cancelled Feb 27-March 1 HSBC Women's World Championship that was scheduled to be played at the Sentosa Golf Club, the Netball Super League openers, and the Singapore Slingers beating Fubon Braves in the Asean Basketball League in front of 1,800 fans at the OCBC Arena.

Singapore's only Olympic champion Joseph Schooling now moves to the United States to train with former mentor Sergio Lopez as he prepares to defend his 100m butterfly title at Tokyo 2020. Can he beat world-record holder Caeleb Dressel?

Produced by: Bernard Lim & ST sports desk

Edited by: Aw Yao Feng & Ernest Luis

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 69: Winners and losers in the EPL's mid-season window; Djokovic rises again Down Under

15:05 mins

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Bernard Lim is joined this week by ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz in the studio.

They call in to James Walton, sports business group leader for Deloitte South-east Asia, and ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath - as they talk about the English Premier League and Australian Open.

Liverpool are 22 points clear at the top of the EPL but it is the transfer activity or inactivity of the chasing pack that has intrigued Walton, who makes sense of the moves and misses in the January window.

Brijnath, meanwhile, joins in from Melbourne and shares what caught his eye in Novak Djokovic's win over Dominic Thiem in the men's singles final at the Australian Open, and which match he enjoyed most.

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 68: The 'Kobe Effect' on basketballer Delvin Goh; Horror 32-0 result in schools football

15:18 mins

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this episode, we discuss the legacy of Kobe Bryant, the NBA legend who died tragically in a helicopter crash on Monday at the age of 41. National basketball player Delvin Goh also joins in to reveal how he benefited from the 'Kobe Effect'.

Our team also weighs in on the shock 32-0 mauling Assumption Pathway School suffered at the hands of the Singapore Sports School in a schools preliminary B Division boys' football match.

Produced by: Lee Yulin

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 67: McGregor still the man; Kuchar's curious tournament; Slingers' form cause for concern?

12:12 mins

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Bernard Lim is joined by ST sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee as they dissect mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor's successful return from a 15-month hiatus at the UFC 246 event, and whether the new-look, respectful version of "The Notorious", is for real.

They also discuss world No.24 golfer Matt Kuchar's rollercoaster win at the SMBC Singapore Open, as well as the Singapore Slingers' slow start to the 2019/2020 Asean Basketball League campaign.

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 66: Don't write off Serena Williams; why Liverpool are a joy to watch; what's up at the SMBC S'pore Open

12:29 mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this episode, Money FM's Bernard Lim hosts ST sports' Rohit Brijnath, Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee.

The team reveals why it would be foolish to write off Serena Williams' chances at the upcoming Australian Open, why Liverpool are such a joy to watch and who to watch at this week's SMBC Singapore Open.

Produced by: Howie Lim, Rohit Brijnath and Sazali Abdul Aziz

Edited by: Olivia Quay & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 65: Warriors' woes deepen, heartening news amid Australian bush fires tragedy

12:05 mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this episode, Money FM's Bernard Lim hosts ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and sports journalist Nicole Chia.

Sazali Abdul Aziz tells us why he's saddened by the plight of Singapore Premier League club Warriors FC.

Nicole Chia salutes the sports community for rallying around victims of the Australian bush fires.

Produced by: Howie Lim, Rohit Brijnath and Sazali Abdul Aziz

Edited by: Olivia Quay & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 64: 2019's sporting highs and hopes for the future

12:40 mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this episode, Money FM's Bernard Lim hosts ST sports editor Lee Yulin and assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath.

Some of the biggest stories of Singapore sport this year came from the South-east Asia Games which ended on Dec 11. Other things that got people talking included Yeo Jia Min's giant-killing run at the Badminton World Championships, the Singapore Taekwondo Federation's suspension by World Taekwondo and the Singapore National Olympic Council and Soh Rui Yong lawsuits.

Overseas, it was Tiger Woods, the Women's football World Cup and the Rugby World Cup that grabbed the headlines.

The podcasters discuss what their favourite sporting moments of 2019 were, and their new year wishes for what they would like to see in the sporting world.

Produced by: Howie Lim, Rohit Brijnath and Sazali Abdul Aziz

Edited by: Olivia Quay & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 63: Is Singapore a sporting nation?

13:52 mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this episode, Money FM's Bernard Lim hosts ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz.

They debate over whether Singapore can be considered a sporting nation following the recent SEA Games and controversies in local sport.

In the second half, Sazali gives his take on the English Premier League at the halfway mark and the spotlight falls on racism in football.

Produced by: Lee Yulin, Rohit Brijnath and Sazali Abdul Aziz

Edited by: Olivia Quay & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 62: E-sports, SNOC v FAS, and Tiger Woods

13:23 mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this episode, Money FM's Howie Lim hosts ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz.

They discuss the launch of the Global Esports Federation in Singapore and the disagreement between the Singapore National Olympic Council and the Football Association of Singapore over the punishment for the nine footballers caught breaking curfew at the SEA Games.

In the second half, the spotlight falls on Tiger Woods and his US team, who claimed the Presidents Cup on Sunday.

Produced by: Howie Lim, Rohit Brijnath and Sazali Abdul Aziz

Edited by: Olivia Quay & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 61: A weighty discussion on Man City, Young Lions & Schooling

13:16 mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this episode, Money FM's Bernard Lim hosts ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz.

The discussion falls on Manchester City's Premier League title hopes, the curfew-breaking Young Lions at the SEA Games and Joseph Schooling's weight and form.

Produced by: Bernard Lim, Rohit Brijnath and Sazali Abdul Aziz

Edited by: Olivia Quay & Penelope Lee

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Thank you for your support! ST & BT Podcasts picked up a silver medal for Best Digital Project to engage younger and/or millennial audiences at 2019 Asian Digital Media Awards by Wan-Ifra:

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 60: Singapore's SEA Games highs and lows

11:27 mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this episode, Money FM's Bernard Lim hosts ST assistant sports editor Low Lin Fhoong, who is in the Philippines covering the SEA Games, and sports editor Lee Yulin.

They discuss the pleasant surprises at the Games as well as a couple of shocks - the end of the water polo team's epic 52-year winning streak and the flap created by football coach Fandi Ahmad's reasons for the Young Lions' poor performance.

In the second half, the spotlight falls on the night running of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon.

Produced by: Bernard Lim, Low Lin Fhoong and Lee Yulin

Edited by: Olivia Quay & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 59: Shanti sprints toward her next gold

13:27 mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this episode, Money FM's Bernard Lim hosts ST assistant sports editor Low Lin Fhoong and special guest, national sprinter Shanti Pereira, who will be competing at the South-east Asian Games in the Philippines in December in the 100m, 200m and relays in track and field.

Shanti shares with us how she bounced back from crushing disappointment after failing to retain her 200m title at the 2017 SEA Games, what spurs her to keep sprinting, as well as her goals for the Philippines Games.

James Walton, head of Deloitte South-east Asia’s sports business group, calls in to talk about Tottenham Hotspur's hottest new signing: manager Jose Mourinho.

Produced by: Bernard Lim and Low Lin Fhoong

Edited by: Olivia Quay & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 58: Discipline a must to build successful teams

14 mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this episode, Money FM's Bernard Lim hosts ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondent David Lee to talk about discipline at home and the international football fronts.

Last week, national defender Shakir Hamzah was dropped by national football coach Tatsuma Yoshida for the friendly against Qatar and the Nov 19 World Cup qualifier against Yemen for missing a training session earlier.

This is around the same time when England manager Gareth Southgate dropped Raheem Sterling for picking a fight with international team-mate Joe Gomez during training.

Produced by: Bernard Lim, Rohit Brijnath & David Lee

Edited by: Olivia Quay & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 57: Have Liverpool wrapped up the English Premier League title?

14 mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this episode, Money FM's Howie Lim hosts ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee to discuss Liverpool's 3-1 win over Manchester City.

Closer to home, they also examine what the Asean Club Championship means for Singapore football and the fate of beleaguered Singapore Premier League club, Warriors FC.

Produced by: Howie Lim, Rohit Brijnath, David Lee & Sazali Abdul Aziz

Edited by: Olivia Quay & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 56: Pentathlete Shermaine Tung's shock bronze at World C'ships, Rugby World Cup and SPL

16:14 mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this episode, Money FM's Bernard Lim hosts ST assistant sports editor Jonathan Wong and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz, to discuss the Rugby World Cup and Singapore Premier League (football).

Special guest and national pentathlete Shermaine Tung talks about her surprise win at the recent UIPM Biathle/Triathle World Championships in Florida, where she won the bronze in an elite field comprising an Olympian and national champions.

Produced by: Bernard Lim, Low Lin Fhoong, Jonathan Wong & Sazali Abdul Aziz

Edited by: Olivia Quay & Penelope Lee

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 55: Sour grapes from Juergen Klopp, and a tearful win for Andy Murray

Time: 12:42 mins

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Bernard Lim is joined by ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and they talk about Juergen Klopp's frustrating evening at Old Trafford, where his Liverpool side saw their 17-match winning run ended by auld rivals Manchester United after a 1-1 draw. But were Klopp's comments about United's style of play warranted?

The pair also talk about three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray and his emotional ATP title win at the European Open in Switzerland last week - it was his first title for almost two years, and the first major milestone since undergoing career-saving hip surgery earlier this year - and discuss what the 32-year-old Scot still has left in his tank.

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz & Money FM's Bernard Lim

Edited by: Penelope Lee & Money FM's Olivia Quay

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 54: Brazil Global Tour. Yay or Nay?

13:33 mins

Synopsis: Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Bernard Lim is joined by ST sports deskers Jonathan Wong, David Lee and Kimberly Kwek as they discuss the poor turnout at the National Stadium for the Brazil Global Tour, Eliud Kipchoge's 1:59 marathon feat and Singapore's chances at the upcoming Nations Cup.

Produced by: David Lee & Money FM's Bernard Lim

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 53: The Samba Boys are in town, and have Liverpool really wrapped up the EPL title in October?

15:17 mins

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Money FM's Bernard Lim is joined by ST sports deskers Rohit Brijnath and Sazali Abdul Aziz as they talk about what Singapore football fans can expect from world No.3 side Brazil and their star man Neymar Jr, in their friendly matches against Senegal and Nigeria at the National Stadium this week.

The trio also review an eventful weekend in the English Premier League (EPL), where Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were embarrassed by lowly opposition, while Liverpool go eight points clear at the top of the league after Manchester City suffered a shock defeat at home by Wolves. But does that mean the title is bound for Anfield?

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz & Money FM's Bernard Lim

Edited by: Penelope Lee & Money FM's Olivia Quay

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 52: Japan surprises at Rugby World Cup, the Singapore Premier League concludes, and does Lionel Messi deserve to be crowned win the Fifa Player of the Year?

Time: 14:55 mins

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Bernard Lim is joined by ST sports deskers Rohit Brijnath and David Lee as they discuss Japan's exploits at the Rugby World Cup, the recently concluded Singapore Premier League, and if there are more deserving winners than Lionel Messi for the Fifa Player of the Year award.

Produced by: David Lee & Money FM's Bernard Lim

Edited by: Penelope Lee & Money FM's Olivia Quay

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 51: Singapore's F1 ambitions and the haze's impact on local sport

Time: 13:58 mins

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this 51st episode, Bernard Lim is joined by sports editor Lee Yulin and assistant sports editor Low Lin Fhoong, as they discuss the thrills and spills of the Sept 20-22 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix, and the impact of the haze on athletes and local sports events such as the upcoming The Straits Times Run.

Produced by: Lee Yulin, Low Lin Fhoong & Money FM's Bernard Lim

Edited by: Penelope Lee & Money FM's Olivia Quay

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GameOfTwoHalves Episode 50: National swimmer Theresa Goh retires, and a Singapore football renaissance?

Time: 13:55 mins

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this 50th episode, Bernard Lim is joined by national swimmer Theresa Goh, ST sports journalists David Lee and Nicole Chia, as they talk about Goh's career and her legacy in and outside the pool, and what sparked the national football team's recent fine results in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Produced by: David Lee, Ernest Luis & Money FM's Bernard Lim

Edited by: Penelope Lee & Money FM's Olivia Quay

**Dear readers,

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Subscribe, like and rate #GameoOfTwoHalves podcast on:

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Apple Podcasts: http://str.sg/o8MK

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 49: Nadal suffers on the way to 19th Slam; Singapore diving earns ticket to Tokyo

14:07 mins

Synopsis: A Game Of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this episode, Sazali Abdul Aziz is joined by ST sports deskers Rohit Brijnath, David Lee and Kimberly Kwek as they discuss what makes Rafa Nadal's US Open victory so special, whether the Spaniard can surpass Roger Federer's 20 Grand Slams, and if the next young male tennis star will emerge in the near future.

The quartet also talk about Singapore diver Jonathan Chan, who earned a ticket to next year's Olympics in Tokyo - a first for the Republic - after winning gold at the Asian Diving Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

There are also positives around Singapore's oft-criticised national football team, which impressed in their 2-2 draw with a Yemen side 20 places above them in Fifa's world rankings, in the World Cup qualifiers.

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee

Edited by: Penelope Lee

**Dear readers,

Link: https://sph.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4MwYEyWCtmRKUHH**

Subscribe, like and rate #GameOfTwoHalves podcast on:

Spotify: http://str.sg/ovjR

Apple Podcasts: http://str.sg/o8MK

Google Podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeS

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 48: Two grand plans for Singapore sport, a bowling world champion rises

16 mins

Synopsis: A Game Of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

A new breed of Lion, a new world champion, a new path to glory for Singapore cycling and rumbles from the US Open.

In this week's episode, ST sports editor Lee Yulin, sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and reporter Nicole Chia discuss what type of footballer is needed in order for Singapore's target of reaching the 2034 World Cup to be achieved.

They also talk about bowler Cherie Tan's World Championship-winning feats and assess Singapore cycling's plan to win an Asian Games medal and churn out a professional cycling team.

Nicole Chia also discusses grace and disgrace at tennis' US Open.

Produced by: Lee Yulin and Sazali Abdul Aziz

Edited by: Adam Azlee

**Dear readers,

Link: https://sph.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4MwYEyWCtmRKUHH**

Subscribe, like and rate #GameOfTwoHalves podcast on:

Spotify: http://str.sg/ovjR

Apple Podcasts: http://str.sg/o8MK

Google Podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeS

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 47: Ben Stokes and other awe-inspiring sporting feats, and badminton starlets Loh Kean Yew and Yeo Jia Min

11:23 mins

Synopsis: A Game Of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Ben Stokes kept England's Ashes hopes alive with his 135 not out against Australia, in what has gone down as one of the great individual sporting performances of all-time. ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath, ST correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and ST reporter Nicole Chia talk about similar sporting feats which have taken their breath away and left an indelible mark on them.

The trio also recap the splendid runs of national shuttlers Loh Kean Kew and Yeo Jia Min at the Badminton World Championships, where 22-year-old Loh reached the last 16 and 20-year-old Yeo reached the quarter-finals. What more can be done to ensure the two starlets keep improving?

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Like, subscribe and rate #GameOfTwoHalves podcast on:

Spotify: http://str.sg/ovjR

Apple Podcasts: http://str.sg/o8MK

Google Podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeS

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Attend an introductory talk - askST@NLB: Podcasts: What are they? How to listen on the go? - by head of podcast productions Ernest Luis on Fri, Aug 30 2019 (7pm-8.30pm) at Central Public Library, 100 Victoria St.

To register for the talk, go to http://str.sg/JZd3

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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GameOfTwoHalves Ep 46: Goal 2034 or own goal?; What does it take to be a pro athlete in Singapore?

12:24 mins

Synopsis: A Game Of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Is the Football Association of Singapore's aim of having a team at the 2034 World Cup just a pipe dream? What needs to be done to make this grand plan come to fruition?

GEM - glamour, endorsements, money. But not all of Singapore's professional athletes get to live the good life. For some, there is also struggle and suffering.

In this episode, ST sports editor Lee Yulin, assistant sports editor Low Lin Fhoong and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz give their take on these issues.

Produced by: Lee Yulin and Sazali Abdul Aziz

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Subscribe, like and rate #GameOfTwoHalves podcast on:

Spotify: http://str.sg/ovjR

Apple Podcasts: http://str.sg/o8MK

Google Podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeS

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

View Details

GameOfTwoHalves Ep 45: SNOC denies Soh Rui Yong SEA Games berth; Leadership in sports associations under the microscope

10:15 mins

Synopsis: #GameOfTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Was the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) too harsh in denying double SEA Games marathon champion Soh Rui Yong the chance to defend his title over his "attitude and behaviour"?

Why is leadership in national sports associations often in the headlines for the wrong reasons?

In this episode, ST sports editor Lee Yulin, assistant sports editor Low Lin Fhoong and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz give their take on these issues.

Produced by: Lee Yulin and Sazali Abdul Aziz

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Subscribe, like and rate #GameOfTwoHalves podcast on:

Spotify: http://str.sg/ovjR

Apple Podcasts: http://str.sg/o8MK

Google Podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeS

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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