Pesta Sukan, Singapore's beloved sports festival, has a rich history dating back to 1960. Initially created as a fundraiser for international sports participation, it has blossomed into a national celebration held around National Day. This article takes a lighthearted look at the journey of Pesta Sukan, from its humble beginnings to its evolution into an international event, and its vital role in promoting community spirit and sports excellence in Singapore.
The idea for a sports festival in Singapore was first proposed in 1960 by the Singapore Olympic and Sports Council (SOSC) as a way to raise funds for international competitions. In 1961, the newly established Singapore Amateur Sports Council launched the first Festival of Sports. Over the next decade, the vision for the festival evolved. Before the Singapore Sports Council was established in 1973, there were significant changes in both the festival's name and its management.
| 2 – 4 June 1961 | Festival of Sport | Singapore Amateur Sports Council |
| 2 – 5 June 1962 | Miniature Malayan Games | Singapore Amateur Sports Council |
| 3 – 9 June 1963 | Festival of Sports | People’s Association |
During this period, Singapore was part of Malaysia, so the Festival aimed to promote internal solidarity. The first government-led celebration was held in 1964 and was called the Festival of Sports. It was organised by the Ministry of Culture, and just before independence in 1965, it was taken over by the Ministry of Social Affairs and renamed Pesta Sukan.
In 1966, it became Pesta Sukan Minggu Merdeka. This festival became a significant contribution from the National Sports Associations (NSAs) to the nationwide Independence Day celebrations. It retained this name until 1969, after which it was commonly known as Pesta Sukan.
Initially, the 1964 festival only invited Malaysian states to participate. However, it later expanded into an international event. For instance, the 1971 Pesta Sukan saw participation from 25 foreign countries. The festival was not an inter-governmental or official arrangement but rather an event organised by the sports governing bodies of different countries. Its main aim was to strengthen friendships and raise sports standards.
In 1965, the Ministry of Social Affairs took over the responsibility of organising Pesta Sukan. Since Singapore was part of Malaysia at that time, the festival aimed to strengthen relationships with other states.
During the 1965 Pesta Sukan celebration (from 29 July to 9 August), Singapore separated from Malaysia and became an independent nation. The largest celebration occurred in 1971, coinciding with the opening of Sports House under the newly established National Sports Promotion Board. Pesta Sukan was aptly nicknamed the "Annual Little Olympics".
Major changes occurred in 1971 when the Singapore Turf Club adopted Pesta Sukan, donating $200,000 towards its expenses, later increasing it to $250,000. Despite the larger subsidies, most NSAs still needed financial assistance from the private sector. By 1971, the number of NSAs had grown from 23 to 36.
In 1964, an adhoc Organising Committee, composed of well-known sports personalities and government officials, was formed. NSAs rallied to support the festival.
Due to the success of the 1964 Pesta Sukan, the first Singapore Sports Council was established on 2 December 1965, and reconstituted on 19 April 1966. The current Singapore Sports Council (Sport Singapore) was formed in 1973.
The Singapore Sports Council existed until 1971 when the National Sports Promotion Board took over. The Board's role was to promote, encourage, and subsidise sports activities in Singapore. Pesta Sukan grew to become a major sporting event, increasing in status, strength, and success over the years.
The 1970 Pesta Sukan program included the National Walk, attracting 30,000 participants, and the Water Carnival, which provided entertainment for families.
In 1971, the first Asian "Wimbledon" was organised, drawing top tennis players from across Asia. The festival also included the first-ever parachuting competition and the Pesta Sukan International Football Tournament.