Response to parliamentary question on Singapore Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation

Question

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef: To ask the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth in view of the revocation of Singapore Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation's status as a national sports association (a) what is the direction forward for professionals and amateurs involved in the sport and what kind of support will be available for them; (b) currently, will the athletes be able to represent Singapore at regional and international competitions; and (c) will the Singapore Sports Council be involved in planning any remedial actions so that considerations can be made to reinstate their status. 

Response

Acting Minister Lawrence Wong: National Sports Associations (NSA) are responsible for representing the interests of their sport and their athletes. In the case of the Singapore Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (SBBF), despite repeated interventions by the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) to help address the series of administrative lapses and doping infractions, the NSA has failed to fulfil its obligations as the governing body for bodybuilding. SSC has therefore assessed that the SBBF does not have the capability or the credibility to remain as the NSA for bodybuilding, and has decided to revoke its NSA status.  

SSC and the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) are in discussion with parties that have the potential to represent the interests of the bodybuilding fraternity and support its athletes in the capacity of an NSA. When the new NSA is formed, SSC will work with it to develop the sport and support the athletes.  
Despite the revocation of the NSA status, bodybuilding athletes can still participate in regional and international bodybuilding competitions through their respective bodybuilding sports clubs, which are affiliated to the regional and international federations organising these events. For Major Games, such as Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games, if there are bodybuilding athletes selected by the SNOC to represent Singapore at these Major Games, then the SNOC and SSC will directly oversee the training and preparation of these athletes.