The ongoing Singapore Smash 2023 has delivered a cumulative global audience of 48.3 million and a cumulative reach of 150.5 million viewers tuning in for the daily matches so far, a cumulative global audience of 48.3 million and a cumulative reach of 150.5 million viewers tuning in for the daily matches so far, the International Table Tennis Federation announced Wednesday.
While the inaugural Singapore Smash took place last year, it was held amid Covid limitations. This year, with all restrictions lifted, the Singapore Sports Hub has come alive with all intended programming in place allowing fans and players to enjoy the true essence of a Smash event.
Singapore Smash 2023 not only showcases the best table tennis players in the world, but also serves as a platform for nurturing young talent and engaging the community, solidifying the country’s status as a hub for world-class sporting events.
This year the event is also playing host to the Hopes Squad. The Hopes Squad is made up of a team of 20 aspiring male and female players (ages 10 – 13) whom have demonstrated consistent commitment to training and competition. As part of the development pathway, the players and their coaches are offered planned activities throughout the year, with the first event of 2023 being an intensive training camp held at the Singapore Sports School from 9 – 15 March.
The participants of this year’s Hopes Squad are not the only young players who got to watch table tennis’ stars up close. This week, players from the Singapore Table Tennis Association’s Junior Development and Youth Development squads were guided by 2021 world youth champion and world No. 31 Xiang Peng (CHN) and world No. 26 Lee Sangsu (KOR) during a clinic at the OCBC Arena. About 60 children visited Hall 2, one of the Singapore Smash competition halls, as well as the practice hall, where they caught a glimpse of the sport’s finest athletes honing their craft. There, they performed drills and rallied with both players.
Outside of the OCBC Arena, members of the wider Singapore community are also enjoying the benefits of Singapore Smash 2023 with a full slate of activities planned to engage the public and grow the sport here. At the Singapore Smash Zone, located outside the OCBC Square at Kallang Wave Mall, entry is free for all and tables have been set up for visitors to try their hand at table tennis. Community competitions across various age groups are also ongoing, with the total number of entries increasing from more than 100 last year to over 260 this year. A new contest category for para athletes has also been introduced this year, building on last year’s successful showcase featuring national para athletes.
There will also be a showcase by non-profit group Table Tennis For Good, which aims to use table tennis to promote brain and general health while having fun playing. Table Tennis For Good, which has attained charitable status, returns to the Singapore Smash Zone on 16 March with its table tennis programmes – for seniors and for those with Parkinson’s Disease – on display. The Singapore Smash Zone thus allows even more people to enjoy table tennis regardless of their age, background and skill level.
Singapore Smash 2023 is ongoing till 19 March, with entertaining battles on show at the Infinity ∞ Arena (Hall 1) and Hall 2 at the Singapore Sports Hub’s OCBC Arena.
