Time capsule on local sporting aspirations laid to rest, to be opened in 2040

SINGAPORE — A time capsule containing 50 items symbolic of Singapore’s sporting aspirations has been officially sealed and laid to rest at the Singapore Sports Hub’s Waterfront, and will be reopened 25 years later in year 2040.

Called the Aspirations time capsule, the stainless steel structure measuring 1.4m x 1.4m x 1.4m, was unveiled to members of the sporting fraternity by Chairman of Sport Singapore, Richard Seow, this evening (Feb 15).

Previously symbolically sealed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to commemorate the official opening of the Singapore Sports Hub at the Youth Celebrate! event last July, the selected items were chosen to reflect the aspirations of youth and sport in Singapore.

Among the items in the capsule — each individually packed — include a resistance buoy used by talented Singapore national swimmer Joseph Schooling in his early training and designed by his father, Colin.

Other items include national sprinter Shanti Pereira’s jersey and bib worn at the 2015 South-east Asian (SEA) Games when she ended Singapore’s 42-year wait for the gold medal in the women’s 200m sprint, three-time Paralympian sailor Jovin Tan’s sunglasses worn at the 2012 London Paralympic Games, and a framed copy of PM Lee’s speech at the Youth Celebrate! event.

“We have just celebrated Singapore’s golden jubilee with a wonderful showing at the 28th SEA Games and the 8th ASEAN Para Games,” said Seow today. “Many iconic sporting moments and memories were created right here, making their way into Singapore’s sporting history. With eager anticipation, we look forward to brilliant new chapters of sports in Singapore being written as we work towards Singapore’s future.

“While some of us would casually refer to (the time capsule) as a ‘steel box’ or a ‘steel canister’, it perhaps could be more aptly described as a ‘message in the bottle’ — one that tells our future self what we think is important to remember.

“As the Singapore sports story evolves, sport can be a language that inspires the Singapore spirit and provides the manuscript of our struggles and achievements, past and present.”

National shooter Martina Lindsay Veloso — who made history in 2014 when she became the first Singaporean shooter to win a World Cup event when she triumphed at the ISSF World Cup in Munich at just 13 years of age — contributed her gloves, shades and signed target.

“I am honoured to be one of the contributors to the time capsule,” said the 16-year-old. “Twenty-five years later, I would be 41 years’ old and, when this capsule is opened then, I’m sure it would be quite exciting.

“A lot of things can happen in 25 years. I would have probably competed in the Olympics and, hopefully, achieved a lot.”