President Low hopes scandal will not see its showpiece lose out to rival cities
As a former scrumhalf for Singapore, Low Teo Ping must have known what it is to be under the cosh up against bigger and better opponents.
But that is nothing compared to the pressure he is facing in his present role as the president of the Singapore Rugby Union this weekend.
Low is at the head of a charm offensive as the Standard Chartered Singapore Sevens kicks off at noon today at the cavernous National Stadium in Kallang. He and his cohorts are trying to charm the International Rugby Board (IRB), who in July this year will decide if Singapore remains on its calendar next season.
His job has not been made easy with the Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) recently being embroiled in an S$500,000 ($2.5 million) embezzlement scandal which shocked the sport to its roots and leaving the union virtually penniless. The sacking of 10 of the union's 11 full-time staff brought more bad publicity. That they were reinstated for this tournament wouldn't have mattered as the damage had been done.
Low is now desperate for some good news - and he hopes this weekend's action will give his besieged union something to smile about, especially if the crowds flock in.