Sports and Shrines: Uncovering Singapore's Hidden Wartime Sport History

Prof Kevin Blackburn sharing on how the Syonan Jinja in Singapore was envisaged as a grand shrine with large sport stadium and fields during WWII during a fireside chat on 28 February 2025 at Yan Kit Pool Heritage Gallery organised by Sport Singapore. (Credit: Teresa Teo Guttensohn)

By Teresa Teo Guttensohn

"The talk enabled me a glimpse into the promotion of sports during the Japanese Occupation. Unheard of in our history books!"

– John Seen, talk participant

In commemoration of the 83rd anniversary of the Fall of Singapore, Sport Singapore organised a free public talk on "Sport in Syonan: The Role of State Shinto and Sport in Integrating Singapore into the Japanese Empire, 1942–1945".

Held on 28 February 2025 at the new Yan Kit Pool Heritage Gallery, the evening fireside chat highlighted the lesser-known story of the role of sport during the Japanese Occupation and its impact post-WWII.

Participants listened with rapt attention as guest speaker and war historian Professor Kevin Blackburn from the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, shared his perspectives on how officials used a combination of State Shinto and sport to assist in culturally assimilating Singapore into Japan's Empire.

In 1942, a planned massive sports complex including a stadium was to be located at Singapore's own State Shinto shrine, the Syonan Jinja sited at the MacRitchie Reservoir. The Syonan Jinja was modelled on the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, which regularly held sports events on its own grounds that mixed the rituals of State Shinto with athleticism.

Syonan Jinja, a State Shinto shrine modelled on the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore (1942-1945).  (Credit: Syonan Sinbun)

Sport during the Occupation was the athletic embodiment of 1940s Japanese Pan-Asianism and "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere", with aspiration for a future "Greater East Asia Olympics".

Singapore as part of the Japanese Empire conducted its first Meiji Setsu Sports Carnival in tandem with the Meiji Shrine Games in November 1942. The Syonan Sports Association organised baseball, football, hockey, basketball, volleyball and tennis matches. The association also promoted the spread of Japanese culture with performance groups mixed with local songs and music. Marathons along the same 800-kilometre route taken by Yamashita's conquering army down the Malay Peninsula were planned for December 1942 but were not realised. However, a 15-kilometre 'marathon' race was held in Singapore from the Padang to the Syonan Chureito memorial shrine at the peak of Bukit Batok.

Syonan Chureito (Japanese Memorial Shrine) at Bukit Batok hilltop in 1942. After Japan’s surrender but before the return of the British, the Japanese military razed both the Syonan Jinja and Syonan Churieto to the ground in August 1945 in fear of their desecration. (Credit: Shashin Shuho, Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore)

Prof Blackburn is the author of several books including the award-winning book "The Comfort Women of Singapore in History and Memory" and "Sportsmen of Changi".

Joining Prof Blackburn was host and speaker Dr Nick Aplin, Deputy Director, Sport Heritage, Sport Singapore, a sportsman, historian and author of several publications on the history of sport in Singapore. Dr Aplin shared insights on the local sporting scene and figures such as Goh Hood Kiat (known as GH Kiat), Chia Boon Leong who starred in the Malaya Cup in the 1950s, Masaji Hirayama TJ, a Japanese athlete who studied at Anglo Chinese School before the Occupation and was the social welfare deputy, and Goh Teck Phuan (Tippy), who later became the champion for post-war marathon initiatives in Singapore.

Football and Hockey Tour to Malaya in 1943 during the Japanese Occupation. Seated Lim Yong Liang, (2^nd from left), Goh Hood Kiat (4^th from left), Mamoru Shinozaki (5^th from left), Masaji Hirayama TJ (6^th from left) and standing Chia Boon Leong (2^nd row 3^rd from left). (Credit: Sport Singapore)

Student athletes Masaji Hirayama TJ (extreme left) and Goh Teck Phuan (Tippy) (3^rd from left) from Anglo-Chinese School. The first Syonan Marathon took place on 8 December 1942 with 55 runners completing the race and 15 were awarded prizes. In 14^th place was Goh Teck Phuan. (Credit: Sport Singapore)

Participants found the session conducted by the two experts enlightening.

"The programme was incredibly insightful, and I commend the speakers for their deep expertise and thought-provoking perspectives on the topic. Their contributions were not only informative but also engaging, shedding new light on key issues during a crucial period in Singapore's history. Additionally, hosting the event at Yan Kit Pool Heritage Gallery was a brilliant choice - its unique setting truly enriched the experience, creating a memorable atmosphere for the discussions. Overall, it was a well-executed event that sparked valuable conversations," said participant Satha Logaraj.

Participants listening with rapt attention at fireside chat held at Yan Kit Pool Heritage Gallery. Seated beside host and speaker Dr Nick Aplin (extreme right) is participant Satha Logaraj. 28 Feb 2025. (Credit: Teresa Teo Guttensohn)

Another participant, Pak-Juan Koe, a freelance tourist guide and docent, felt that it was an engaging discussion about an oft-forgotten part of Singapore's sporting history and that "the speaker’s research into the topic was evident, making the experience truly enlightening for me."

Echoing their sentiments was John Seen from ParaBowls Singapore, who said "the talk enabled me a glimpse into the promotion of sports during the Japanese Occupation. Unheard of in our history books!"

Prior to the talk, participants had the opportunity to try out and enjoy Lawn Bowls at the Yan Kit Playfield green with volunteers from ParaBowls Singapore.

John Seen from ParaBowls Singapore (photo above) and volunteers demonstrate how for participants at Lawn Bowls tryout session at Yan Kit Pool Heritage Gallery. (Credit: Teresa Teo Guttensohn)