SINGAPORE, March 19 (NNN-TODAY) -- In 2005, names like Muhammad Ali, Sebastian Coe and David Beckham visited Singapore for the 117th International Olympic Committee Session.

Three years later, 100,000 fans heard the roar of 300km/h engines for the first time, as the SingTel Singapore Grand Prix - the world's first Formula 1 night race - hurtled along the spectacular Marina Bay street circuit.

Last year, Singapore organised the first Asian Youth Games, and in 148 days' time, Singapore will welcome an estimated 3,600 athletes aged 14 to 18 from 205 National Olympic Committees for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games.

The Republic has also hosted the World Cup short course swimming series, and the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon has witnessed record entries.

As a result, Singapore is in the running for the prestigious Sport Business Ultimate Sports City Award 2010.

The Republic was one of 25 cities shortlisted on Thursday for the biennial award - first held in 2006 - by London-based Sport Business Group, the world's leading supplier of information, media and business-to-business marketing services to the global sports industry.

The winning city will be announced at the Sport Accord Convention in Dubai next month.

"All cities are awarded a value according to the events they host annually, have hosted or will host between 2006 and 2014, as well as federations in their locale," Rachael Church-Sanders, author of the Ultimate Sports City report, told MediaCorp in an interview on Thursday.

"Singapore's score was boosted by events such as the 2010 Youth Olympics, World Netball Championships and the Formula 1 Grand Prix ...

"(There is) no monetary award, but as Melbourne (our winner in 2006 and 2008) will tell you, the kudos from winning the award has given them exposure for promotional purposes and attracting future events."

Singapore is believed to be among the frontrunners to topple reigning Ultimate Sports City Melbourne - it has won both editions in 2006 and 2008 - which it pipped in the bid to host next year's World Netball Championship.

The shortlist was comprised by analysing the locations of over 2,000 sports events and federations globally between 2006 and 2014 and awarding points according to the importance of the event or federation.

It is the first time Singapore has made the shortlist, and the Republic is one of five Asian cities - and the only South-east Asian city - in the mix.

Some of the other shortlisted cities include Moscow, Beijing, 2010 Winter Olympics host Vancouver, Johannesburg, venue of the 2010 World Cup Final, and London, host of the 2012 Olympic Games.

For the award itself, the 25 cities will be judged on criteria including stadia and venues, transport and infrastructure, government and public support, legacy, standard of living, marketing and promotional ability and testimonials of event personnel.

The Singapore Sports Council (SSC) hailed the development as an "achievement". "We are truly honoured to be one of the 25 Ultimate Sports Cities to be shortlisted ..." said SSC chief (sports marketing group) Kelven Tan.

"To stand alongside some of the world's best sports cities and be one of only five Asian cities ... is an achievement in itself. Whatever happens after this is a bonus." -- NNN-TODAY