A lasting legacy for sports

Question

Mr Nicholas Fang: To ask the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth what measures will be taken to ensure that the South-east Asian Games 2015 will leave a lasting legacy for the development of sports in Singapore, in particular in encouraging the growth of the sports industry here.

Response

Minister Lawrence Wong: We are at the final stages of preparation for the SEA Games next year. Besides ensuring a successful Games, my ministry is working closely with all stakeholders to leave a lasting legacy for sports in Singapore. Let me highlight work in three key areas. 

First, in how we support the training and development of top athletes. In the run up to the SEA Games, we have improved the High Performance Sports system, in the areas of coaching, training, performance management, sports science and medicine. These investments in our athlete development system will continue well beyond the SEA Games, and will enable our athletes to better realise their full potential.

Second, at the SEA Games, we will showcase our full suite of facilities, including at the new Sports Hub, and our ability to host major sporting events in a smooth and seamless manner. This will profile the Sports Hub as a venue for international sporting events, and affirm our reputation as a global sports city.  

Third, through the SEA Games, we want more Singaporeans to participate in sports. To that end, my Ministry will ensure that there are as many opportunities as possible for Singaporeans to get involved in the Games, whether as volunteers or spectators. The new Sports Hub will also help to draw more Singaporeans to watch the Games live. We will build on this to create a broader following for sports and for our Team Singapore athletes.

By widening and deepening the interest in sports, we are building a stronger base of support for the growth of the sports industry. In addition, we are taking specific measures to develop the industry. For example, we will work with the National Sports Associations (NSAs) to use the SEA Games to deepen the experience and expertise of existing sports officials and to train new officials, so that we have a pool of good quality officials who can officiate at sports competitions. We are also using the Games to engage corporate partners, so as to build a healthy level of corporate sponsorship for athletes and sporting events in Singapore.