Reported by Nicholas Fang in The Straints Times today:

Singapore will bid to host the 2011 Southeast Asia Games, following Cambodia's withdrawal (earlier this year).

Last night, Singapore Sports Council (SSC) CEO Oon Jin Teik said it is working with the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports to put together the country's bid.

"We are in the formal process of getting the bid together and getting it cleared by the Cabinet (Singapore government)", he said.

Singapore had originally bee in line to host the 2011 Games. But when Cambodia expressed interest, the Republic and the other SEA Games nations decided to give Cambodia its first experience. Singapore has staged the biennial event three times before - in 1973, 1983 and 1993.

It turned down the chance to host the 2007 and 2009 Games as the new Kallang sports hub is expected to be ready only in 2011.

(If the bid is approved by the Government, Singapore will present it at the SEA Games Federation Council in September in Pattaya, Thailand.)