New boss hopes to take Sports Hub to its next level

SINGAPORE — Since its opening in June last year until the SEA Games two months ago, the Sports Hub went through a year-long operational phase to address its teething problems.

The next step following its official opening last month is to take Singapore’s spanking new S$1.33 billion sports complex to the next level, said Sports Hub Pte Ltd (SHPL) chairman Mark Woodhams. The search for the person with the know-how to get the job done had began in May and, today (Aug 5), SHPL announced that it has found it in broadcast veteran, Mr Manu Sawhney.

The former managing director of ESPN Star Sports will on Oct 1 take over the CEO post from Mr Philippe Collin-Delavaud, who will stay on until the end of the year, it added.

Mr Woodhams had told TODAY three months ago that SHPL was looking for a new CEO, as Mr Collin-Delavaud, who has a four-year contract with the firm, would only “lead the company through the construction phase and into stable operations, but would not remain as the CEO for the long term”.

“Philippe has done an outstanding job leading the company through the construction phase to stable operations and building a tremendous team to take the Singapore Sports Hub forward,” Mr Woodhams  said today. “We are grateful for his contribution and wish him all the best.”

With most major teething problems now resolved, including, for example, by replacing the National Stadium’s troubled Desso GrassMaster pitch with a state-of-the-art lay-and-play turf, as well as repairing its leaking roof, the new CEO’s task would involve steering the Sports Hub to produce its full potential.

This includes delivering facilities that meet the expectations of the public, as well as yields for SHPL’s investment.

“With over 25 years of regional leadership experience in the Asian media, entertainment and sports industries, Manu has a great track record of managing complex businesses and developing innovative consumer-facing content and successful commercial initiatives,” said Mr Woodham.

Mr Sawhney, who is also a serving director of Manchester United PLC and was a member of the steering committee of last month’s SEA Games in Singapore, is up for the challenge.

“I am honoured to be given the opportunity to steer the Sports Hub’s operations,” said the 48-year-old Singa­porean. “As a multifaceted venue, (the Hub) was truly a fulcrum point of the SEA Games. I look forward to working with all our key stakeholders to realise the Sports Hub’s potential as a national and global icon and an integrated sports, entertainment and lifestyle hub that delivers world-class events alongside a full calendar of community activities.”