World Table Tennis Singapore Smash 2023

The Story

In the world of table tennis, where skill, speed, and precision reign supreme, the World Table Tennis Singapore Smash, held at the prestigious Singapore Sports Hub from 11-19 March 2023, was a monumental event that brought together the finest players from around the globe. The season kicked off at the OCBC Arena of the Singapore Sports Hub with increased spectator capacity featured 64 entries of the best players from around the world, with the top 19 men and all of the top 20 women competing with fans watching the elite athletes battle it out on the table over the exciting nine-day event.

Behind the scenes, KIN was privileged to be involved in this event as the event delivery partner. From conceptualisation, with meticulous planning to execution, together with WTT, no detail was left to chance. Successful set-up, management and execution of the event, with seamless communication among various teams and stakeholders ensured that the event was delivered in a way that would keep fans coming back for more. Our responsibilities at the Singapore Smash this year were unique, as we served not only as the event build contractor but also as the project delivery partner for WTT.

The Singapore Smash provided an unforgettable experience for fans, offering numerous opportunities for engagement and interaction. From the creation of Sky Suites that allowed VIPs to enjoy viewing from the deck of private suites that provided full hospitality service to Infinity Lounges where fans could enjoy free-flow with butler service by purchasing 4-per-group tickets. Other zones were set up where visitors could test their table tennis skills at VR booths, take photos with their favourite players, autograph sessions, and meet-and-greet events, allowing fans to get up close and personal with their table tennis idols; as well as enjoy live entertainment with food and beverage options in the festival-like environment. Spectators were also treated to a mesmerising performance, dazzling displays, and an electrifying atmosphere at the opening ceremony. 

The event was not only a showcase of the highest level of table tennis skill, but it was also a testament to the meticulous event set-up, management and event delivery that went into making this tournament a grand success. From venue preparation to innovative technology integration and fan engagement, every aspect was handled with precision and passion. KIN is grateful to be provided the opportunity to partner the organisers, stakeholders and staff behind the scenes for their tireless efforts in working with us to put together an event that will be remembered for years to come.

The Story

Just one month before the Pencak Silat Championships were scheduled to start, we got the call to act as the lead agency. We were recommended to the clients by the Singapore Sports Hub, which is a long-term partner of Kin. Its confidence in our expertise and capabilities to do the job within the hugely challenging time frame won over the clients.

These biennial Championships featured 300 athletes from 40 countries, including the US, the UK, Japan and South Africa. We utilised our turnkey expertise in competition venue build-up as well as day-to-day programme development and show-calling over the four days of thrilling action.

We was not only tasked to manage the competition build & operation along with the competition organising committee, but also to create an experience on and off the competition platform, both aurally and visually, for fans, athletes and the community. The competition platform and related competition amenities were built, tested and commissioned during the three-day build period, concurrently with rehearsals to ensure the smooth flow for show and competition presentation.

The four-day event kicked off with an opening ceremony attended by Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob. The opening ceremony highlighted the rich history of various traditional martial arts and performing arts along with modern show effects curated byus. It was followed by the oath-taking ceremony for athletes and officials in commitment to respect and abide by the rules in spirit of fair play for the honour and glory of the sport.

The four-day Championships concluded with a big bang during the closing ceremony as well as a handover ceremony to the next host country. The Championships were about creating an unforgettable experience for all stakeholders. This drove our actions from start to finish. Over the four days, we ensured high engagement levels with fans through live DJ sets during lulls in competition.

Overall, knowing and understanding the motivations of stakeholders in a less well-known martial arts discipline such as silat were essential in our development of relevant approaches to reach out and keep everyone engaged through the four-day event. Working with various partners, these Championships marked another milestone forusas more than just a service provider, but an integrated experiential agency in the industry.