ST Sports Talk Ep 125: Can children succeed in SG football with a good post-playing career? 13:23 mins Synopsis: ST Sports Talk is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast. In the second of a three-part series, ST sports editor Lee Yulin and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chat with the two men spearheading the government’s ambitious Unleash The Roar! project to lift Singapore football standards with the goal of getting the national team to the 2034 World Cup. Their guests, Lim Teck Yin, chief executive officer of national sports agency Sport Singapore, and Bernard Tan, deputy president of the Football Association of Singapore, share how they plan to convince parents to buy into their long-term plan for the local game. They discuss: Can parents be convinced of a football future for their kids? (0:37) Singapore’s ‘generational change’ (8:15) To play or not to play? The dilemma during exams (9:37) Listen to Pt 1 - How can football build a culture of excellence needed for Unleash The Roar plan?: https://omny.fm/shows/gameoftwohalves-1/how-can-football-build-a-culture-of-excellence-nee Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]), Ernest Luis & Penelope Lee Edited by: Penelope Lee Subscribe to the ST Sports Talk podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ST Sports Talk Ep 124: How can football build a culture of excellence needed for Unleash The Roar plan? 12:27 mins Synopsis: ST Sports Talk is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast. In the first of a three-part series, ST sports editor Lee Yulin and sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz chat with the two men spearheading the government’s ambitious Unleash The Roar! project to lift Singapore football standards with the goal of getting the national team to the 2034 World Cup. Their guests, Lim Teck Yin, chief executive officer of national sports agency Sport Singapore, and Bernard Tan, deputy president of the Football Association of Singapore, shed more light into the plan and how they hope to achieve the targets set out. They discuss: Can Singapore football develop a culture of excellence? (1:36) A 180 degree mindset shift needed - from coaches? (6:51) How Unleash The Roar is different from plans that came before (10:22) Listen to Pt 2 - Can children succeed in SG football with a good post-playing career?: https://omny.fm/shows/gameoftwohalves-1/can-children-succeed-in-sg-football-with-a-good-po Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]), Ernest Luis & Penelope Lee Edited by: Penelope Lee Subscribe to ST Sports Talk Podcast and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 123: No shouting please; live tennis in the age of Covid 11:00 mins Synopsis:  #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast. This week, sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and sports reporter Laura Chia chat about the recently-concluded Singapore Tennis Open, and the new norm of covering international live sports events. They discuss: Antigen Rapid Tests - a game changer for live events? (1:57) Safe distancing, and no shouting please (4:12) Alexei Popyrin - remember the name (6:53) Could the ATP return to Singapore? (9:29) Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]) & Penelope Lee Edited by: Penelope Lee Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameofTwoHalves Ep 122: Former US Open winner Marin Cilic talks pressure, focus and beating Federer 14:27 mins Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast. This week, sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath chat with world No.48 tennis player Marin Cilic, who is in town for the Singapore Tennis Open that takes place at the OCBC Arena from Feb 22 to 28. The 32-year-old Croatian player, who won the US Open in 2014 and was ranked as high as World No.3 just two years ago, is one of a select group of players who can boast of beating Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. They discuss: Playing Federer at a Maldives resort (0:51) What happens when a top tennis player is in “the zone” (5:36) Differences playing Djokovic, Nadal and Federer (7:28) Titles or longevity at the top in G.O.A.T debate? (12:12) Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected])  Edited by: Penelope Lee Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 121: Victoria Lee on hype, pressure and siblings ahead of pro MMA debut 9:45 mins Synopsis:  #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast. This week, sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz talks to Victoria Lee, the 16-year-old sister of One Championship mixed martial arts (MMA) world champions Christian and Angela. Victoria will make her professional MMA debut against Thailand’s Sunisa Srisen at One Championship’s Fists of Fury event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Feb 26. The junior at Mililani High School in Hawaii talks about her preparations for her big fight. What does Victoria think about the possibility of an atomweight MMA fight against her sister in the future? They discuss: 1. How to handle all the hype and pressure (1:06) 2. Comparisons with her older siblings (3:20) 3. What can fans expect in Victoria’s debut? (5:51) 4. The Lee MMA family’s ‘hitlist’ when in S’pore (8:24) Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected])  Edited by: Penelope Lee Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 120: An Australian Open like no other 14:20 mins Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times’ weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday. This week, ST sports editor Lee Yulin and assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath discuss tennis’ first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, which began on Monday (Feb 8). The topics: Rohit assesses the men’s draw and predicts which players will go deep (3:24) What makes Rafael Nadal extraordinary (5:18) Why Rohit thinks women’s tennis is more exciting than the men’s game now (6:41) What would be Rohit’s dream women’s singles final? (9:40) Does Serena Williams need to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slams to burnish her legacy? (12:36) Produced by: Lee Yulin ([email protected]) Edited by: Penelope Lee Subscribe to the #GameOfTwoHalves Podcast and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Rohit Brijnath on Twitter: https://str.sg/JraG Read his stories: https://bit.ly/3a2sAvR See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 119: What is the impact of cancelling the Olympics? 14:28 mins Synopsis:  #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday. This week, sports correspondent David Lee, assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan look at the possible scenario of the Tokyo Olympics being cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and the consequences for its various stakeholders. They also look at the differing fortunes of the two Manchester clubs who have eyes on the English Premier League title, before discussing the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup draw that involved three Singaporean teams - Tampines Rovers, Lion City Sailors and Geylang International. They discuss the following: 1. What do the Olympics mean to sports fans? (0:54) 2. What is at stake if the Olympics are held or not? (4:00) 3. What is wrong with Manchester United? (8:50) 4. Is it going to be a damage-limiting exercise for Tampines Rovers in the AFC Champions League? (11:00) 5. How far can the Singaporean teams progress in the AFC Cup? (12:50) Produced by: David Lee ([email protected]) Edited by: Penelope Lee Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow David Lee Twitter: https://twitter.com/STdavidLee Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 118: Are profiteers targeting sports-starved Singaporeans? 14:06 mins Synopsis:  #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday. This week sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan explore an ST news report that revealed bookings for public sports facilities are being resold - at a higher rate - on platforms like Facebook, Meetup and Telegram. The two also chat about the Lion City Sailors’ new $2.9m man Diego Lopes - signed after some some ex-EPL players were said to be considered by the club - and what the Brazilian’s arrival could mean for the Singapore Premier League (SPL), with the new season set to kickoff in about a month’s time. They discuss the following: Is the practice of reselling sports facility bookings widespread, even during pre-Covid days? (2:08) When The Straits Times confronted an alleged profiteer (4:26) Lopes’ quality over big names in the SPL a prudent choice? (8:28) What to keep an eye on in the 2021 SPL season (10:38) Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]) Edited by: Penelope Lee Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SazaliAbdulAziz Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 117: NMP Mark Chay on plans to help local sport survive beyond Covid-19 19:23 mins Synopsis:  #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday. This week ST Sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz hosts former national swimmer Mark Chay, who was among the nine new Nominated Members of Parliament selected to serve a two-and-a-half year term. Olympian Chay, 38, talks about why he decided to step forward, what his priorities will be, and how he is preparing to take on the role. Sazali also chats with ST sports reporter Kimberly Kwek, who reports on-site on a surreal experience at the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M2 World Championship at the Shangri-La Hotel. They discuss the following: Why Chay decided to serve as an NMP (2:08) The issues he aims to raise in Parliament (3:29) How he plans to be an effective voice (8:28) How e-sports has coped with positive Covid tests (13:09) Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]) Edited by: Penelope Lee Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 116: Indra Sahdan on how to groom Singapore's next goal machine 14:54 mins Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points. This week ST Sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz hosts former national captain and Lions marksman Indra Sahdan, who is offering commercial specialised striker coaching sessions called The Finishing Touch, to budding talents, as he hopes to give back and hopefully help groom a future generation of Singaporean goalscorers. The big-game player - who scored against Manchester United, Japan, Denmark and Uruguay - also shares his thoughts on the modern striker’s role, how he honed his own skills and which of his over 200 strikes he cherishes most (Hint: It’s not one of the above). They discuss the following: 1. Why he decided to offer such classes (1:28) 2. Goalscoring instinct: God-given or honed? (4:58) 3. The dearth of top Singaporean strikers (10:03) 4. Indra’s own personal favourite strike (12:07) Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Muhammad Firmann & Penelope Lee Edited by: Muhammad Firmann Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.