Singapore Broadcasting Authority (SBA) Commissions a Sports Forum and a Sports Documentary on Channel NewsAsia

In The Arena​​​

The first sports forum to be commissioned by SBA, In The Arena deals with a spectrum of issues facing the sports scene in Singapore. Each week, panelists ranging from local athletes to representatives of local sports fraternities, along with host, Robin Leong, debate about issues which include foreign sports talent, the lack of local icons and whether a sports school will work in Singapore.

Commissioned by SBA at a cost of $292,500, the 13-part, one-hour sports forum is produced in-house by CNA. In The Arena makes its debut on CNA on Tuesday, 1 October 2002, at 7.30pm.

Home Teams

This 10-part documentary series pays tribute to the different families who have contributed and continue to contribute to the local sports scene. In doing so, they have created a family tradition, and carved a notch in Singapore's sports history. From the Quah family of footballers to the Tan family of waterpolo players spanning three generations, to Silat champions and brothers, Zulfakar and Rafili, the series is driven by the heartwarming stories that look at relationships between generations of sportsmen, from grandfathers and mothers, to sons and daughters, and even nephews and nieces.

As Home Teams reflects on the past achievements of the first generation of sportsmen in each family, it also catches up with those who have left the sport to see how they are continuing their tradition of excellence in other ways or if other developments have overtaken these interests. At the same time, it profiles the budding sportsboys and sportsgirls in each family and explores the family influence on their involvement in the sport.

Produced by local production company, The Moving Visuals Company, Home Teams is funded under SBA's commissioning scheme at a cost of $200,000. The series is scheduled for telecast on Wednesdays, 8.30pm on CNA, starting on 2 October 2002.

Ms Amy Chua, SBA's Director of Programmes said, "Apart from supporting sports events such as the recent Commonwealth Games, SBA is also committed to funding sports programmes which support the local sporting scene and celebrate the achievements of our sportsmen and women. We hope the sports forum will help raise awareness of sports issues amongst our viewers and get them thinking about the issues discussed. As for Home Teams, we hope it will allow viewers to better appreciate the achievements and contributions of our homegrown sports families."