The Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) proudly announces the official opening of the KFF Badminton Arena on 6 September 2025, at the historic Guillemard site, by Minister Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and President of the Singapore National Olympic Council.
With an expected turnout of about 200 guests, the day’s programme will feature an exhibition match showcasing our national players, coaches, and ex-national athletes. Local badminton stars such as Li Li (2002 Commonwealth Games women’s singles gold medalist), Kendrick Lee (2007 SEA Games men’s singles silver medalist), Derek Wong (2014 Commonwealth Games men’s singles silver medalist) and Loh Kean Yew (2021 BWF World Champion) will be attending the grand opening.
A Generous Gift to the Community
SBA has been in partnership with the Karim Family Foundation (KFF) for a number of years with the KFF becoming a well-known name in the badminton fraternity with its logo on the front of badminton jerseys donned by the national team and its title sponsorship of the KFF Singapore Badminton Open 2023-2025. The Foundation’s donation to the rejuvenation of the KFF Badminton Arena has enabled, under SBA’s stewardship, the establishment of a community hub that boasts twelve badminton courts available for public and corporate bookings, and amenities such as food and beverage outlets, a 24-hour gym, spa and a Li-Ning sporting apparel store. The KFF Badminton Arena consists of nine courts in the 1,300-seater hall at 100 Guillemard Road, which will retain the name Singapore Badminton Stadium, and an additional three premium air-conditioned courts with corporate boxes are located at 102 Guillemard Road. In addition, SBA’s stalwart partner JK Technology has also equipped the facility with advanced technology worth about $3 million, which include pan-tilt-zoom cameras that are able to autonomously track gameplay for training purposes.
Lead Principal of the Karim Family Foundation, Ms Cindy Karim, said: “We are proud to be a part of Singapore’s sporting and national history in committing to revitalise this important historical site. The Karim Family Foundation’s multiple and deep partnerships with SBA include supporting the development of young and elite athletes, staging a world-class BWF badminton event in Singapore and bringing the sport of badminton to the community. Generations of homegrown badminton stars have spent years training and toiling on the Guillemard courts. We hope that the budding talents today will be inspired as they look up at billboards of the champions who have come before them, and chart their own course to be the sporting heroes of tomorrow.”
A Venue Steeped in History
The stadium at Guillemard first opened its doors to the public in June 1952. It hosted the Thomas Cup in 1955 and 1958, as well as the badminton events at 1983 SEA Games where Wong Shoon Keat won Singapore’s first and only badminton men’s singles gold medal. Beyond the world of sports, the stadium has been a stage for celebrated performances by both local talents and international acts, including Cliff Richard and the Shadows (1961) and The Rolling Stones (1965). In the 1960s, the PAP had also made public speeches at the venue to celebrate their victory in the general elections, and the stadium was the site for the vote-counting for the Referendum on Singapore’s merger with Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak on 1 September 1962. On 1 September 1999, the Singapore Badminton Hall at Guillemard became the first sports facility in Singapore to be designated a historic site by the National Heritage Board.
Two-time Olympian Derek Wong said: “My father Wong Shoon Keat and I trained at Guillemard while representing Singapore on the national team. We spent many years of our lives on these courts and now we can come back for games with friends. I’m glad to see the space rejuvenated today with cafes, a spa and a 24-hour gym – facilities we never had back then. It’s a nostalgic feeling to see young and aspiring players training in the same hall I grew up in.”
Looking to the Future
Mr Lawrence Leow, President of Singapore Badminton Association (SBA), said: “This is a momentous occasion as we officially open the KFF Badminton Arena today. Infrastructure and facilities form the backbone of badminton development in Singapore. I’m confident that this new hub will bring families together to eat, play, exercise and relax, and become a vibrant space for the community for years to come.”
