Australians mull training base in Singapore

SINGAPORE, Nov 22 (Reuters) Australia's athletes for Delhi's 2010 Commonwealth Games could set up a training base in Singapore, the city-state's sports council said today.

Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA) chief Perry Crosswhite was today visiting a number of sites in Singapore to assess the island's ability to host Australian training sessions.

''The Australians are looking at various training bases, not too far from Delhi, to stage their training camps just before the 2010 Commonwealth Games,'' Wayde Clews, Singapore Sports Council's chief of High Performance said.

''Singapore has the right climatic conditions and similar time zone. More importantly, we're a largely English-speaking country and have first world facilities.

''I believe we can be recognised as a truly sporting destination for an international side to train at,'' he told Singapore's Today newspaper.

Clews said he believes Singapore sport will ultimately benefit as more countries set their bases here.

''We want more countries to come here,'' he said. ''Right now, the Canadians have already agreed to be based here just before next year's Athletics World Championships in Osaka.

''This is going to happen more and more frequently and will bring an added dimension to Singapore sport.

''Through learning and working with these athletes, we can leverage on the partnership. If they have a good experience, they will always come back.'' REUTERS DH RAI0934