The Singapore leg of the HSBC SVNS Series is striking — not only for the action on the pitch, but also for the architectural marvel surrounding it. The futuristic National Stadium has the world’s largest retractable dome roof and a state-of-the-art cooling system.
Cold air is pumped under the spectators’ seats to counter temperatures that exceed 30C at this time of year. Unfortunately for the players on the pitch, the enjoy very little benefit — and once you add the relative humidity that ranges between 75-90 per cent, you’ve created a greenhouse for the players to compete in.
The heat and humidity in the stadium push players to their physical limits, spiking their heart rates and tiring them…