More than just a game, DHL AsiaCup brings team building to life in Singapore

Sport is one of the most effective ways to engage and build team camaraderie, and there’s no better example than DHL AsiaCup: a corporate football tournament held by DHL for its employees in the Asia-Pacific region.

Touted as a “mini -World Cup”, the tournament brings together employees from different countries and territories so they can meet face-to-face. After try-outs and training, each local office’s team is then sent on an all-expenses paid trip to compete in the tournament. Competitions are also held for cheerleading, cheer poms, and a mascot race. 

With teams comprising 1,200 participants from over 20 Asia Pacific countries and territories, the multinational logistics firm had to make sure such a large-scale team building event had to be a success — which is why the 2023 edition of DHL AsiaCup, held 25-26 November, was held at the Padang in Singapore for the fourth consecutive year. 

Connecting in an Asian hub

Accessibility and convenience for participants were key factors when selecting a destination for the tournament, said Mateen Thiruselvaam, Senior Vice President for Human Resources, Asia Pacific, DHL Express. 

“Singapore’s Changi Airport is well connected, giving different flight options for getting into the city. The Padang is also an iconic venue, and its close vicinity to hotels means our employees can get to the games without spending too much time travelling,” explained Thiruselvaam.

Given that DHL Express is one of the largest employers in the world, the event’s participants comprised only a fraction of the company’s headcount and the company had to find a way for supporters in different offices to get in on the action. The solution? Using technology. 

According to Thiruselvaam, the availability of high-speed internet connectivity in Singapore meant that the company could easily live stream its events throughout the two-day tournament. This enabled many other colleagues across the region to experience the event virtually and cheer on  their teams, even if they could not attend in person. 

Immersive experiences beyond the pitch

While DHL AsiaCup is held to build team camaraderie across borders, the company also wanted to ensure its employees can enjoy the trip outside of the games. To that end, DHL worked with local event management firms to give participants a memorable experience of Singapore.

Post-competition celebrations were held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millennia Singapore and Fairmont Singapore, which are close to the Padang, making it easy to travel to and from the tournament as well as the surrounding Civic District heritage area. Directly adjacent to the Padang stands the National Gallery Singapore, housed in the former Supreme Court and City Hall, two iconic buildings that have played a pivotal role in Singapore’s history. The Gallery is now home to an unparalleled collection of modern Singapore and Southeast Asian art, enriching participants’ cultural experience. 

During their free time, employees also explored Singapore's exciting attractions and precincts, including Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s wildlife parks and beachfront activities on Sentosa island, forging bonds with one another. With DHL AsiaCup held during the year-end festive season, seasonal leisure events such as the Christmas on a Great Street light-up on Orchard Road added to the allure. 

Access to partnerships

Because DHL AsiaCup is an event organised internally by employees for employees, the ease of access to professional services and partnerships was crucial to making the event a success.  

The company worked with caterers to incorporate local dishes into food menus for the tournament, giving participants a taste of Singapore’s multi-ethnic cuisine. They also engaged the International Football Association Board to join as referees and linesmen for the football matches, while members of the Cheerleading Association Singapore served as judges of the cheerleading and cheer pom competitions.

“The availability of a variety of companies and suppliers made it convenient for us to execute the event effectively,” shared Thiruselvaam. “Throughout our planning, our partners remained thoroughly professional and committed to bringing on a good show for us.” 

When it comes to team building, Singapore stands out not only for its world-class MICE facilities but also for its exciting array of iconic attractions and exciting leisure experiences, making it a prime choice for multinational firms like DHL.

“We believe there is no better way than a sports event to unite our people from different backgrounds and identities, and simply see each other as part of the one big DHL family. So, hosting DHL AsiaCup in a diverse society like Singapore also makes sense.” 

A supportive destination

Ever ready to welcome business events, one of the assistance schemes that Singapore provides is the recently refreshed Singapore MICE Advantage Programme (SMAP), which provides event organisers and MICE delegates with an array of exclusive privileges and services from local partners.

Alongside existing perks such as discounted airfares and travel privileges, new partners have joined the programme to provide benefits such as discounted public transport cards from EZ-Link; complimentary set-up of SimplyGo eVoucher accounts by TransitLink; seasonal free gifts from Design Orchard; and preferential admission ticket rates to Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders and Bird Paradise under Mandai Wildlife Group. 

Ready to boost team morale? Click here to learn how you can hold your next team building event in Singapore. 

This article is brought to you by Singapore Tourism Board