Singapore, the ultimate sports city?

Singapore in the running for Ultimate Sports City award

In a country smaller than Rhode Island and not known for its sporting achievements, Singapore has somehow found itself in the running for the Sport Business Ultimate Sports City Award 2010, a biennial event organized by London-based Sport Business Group.

The shortlist was put together by analyzing the locations of over 2,000 sports events and federations globally between 2006 and 2014 and awarding points according to the importance of the event or federation. It is the first time Singapore has made the shortlist, and the Republic is one of five Asian cities -- and the only South-east Asian city -- in the mix.

"All cities are awarded a value according to the events they host annually, have hosted or will host between 2006 and 2014, as well as federations in their locale," Rachael Church-Sanders, author of the Ultimate Sports City report, told Channel NewsAsia. "Singapore's score was boosted by events such as the 2010 Youth Olympics, World Netball Championships and the Formula 1 Grand Prix."

If the grapevine holds true, Singapore is believed to be among the frontrunners to topple reigning "Ultimate Sports City" Melbourne, which has won both editions in 2006 and 2008. Some of the other shortlisted cities include Moscow, Beijing, 2010 Winter Olympics host Vancouver, Johannesburg, venue of the 2010 World Cup Final, and London, host of the 2012 Olympic Games.