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Table of Contents
Page 1Vision 2030
Page 13The Singapore Sports Council
Page 43The Story of Sporting Singapore
Page 51Milestones
Vision 2030│2 1│Vision 2030
VISION 2030
THE NEXT 20 YEARS IN SPORTSA vision of the future has anchored
every important decision made by
Singapore’s leadership since the early
days of our independence in 1965.
Education, housing, health, land use,
social welfare, fiscal management,
national defence. Our government has
always incorporated forward-planning
into its strategic development of
Singapore. With our small land mass
and limited natural resources, we have
never allowed ourselves the luxury of
providing ‘a quick fix’ for the ails of
one generation, if it came at the likely
expense of those generations yet to
come. Singapore has overcome many
odds to become a universal economic
and social miracle—through its fast-
held commitment to building for the
future.
However the world is changing,
and more rapidly than ever before.
Through technology that delivers
data, seemingly, faster than the
speed of light, our society is already
transforming before our eyes. As a
nation, we know we cannot rest on our
past achievements or rely solely on
what has worked before. Vision 2030,
a joint project by Singapore Sports
Council and the Ministry of Community
Development, Youth and Sports, is
exploring the roles that sport can play
in maintaining the social integrity and
economic strength of Singapore.
Vision 2030 began with a question:
how could sport best serve Singapore
and Singaporeans? The Vision 2030
team sat down with 500 people in
face-to-face interviews and received
input from another 2000 people via
our website www.vision2030.sg. We
heard your views on such wide-ranging
subjects as the use of physical space
in the city and heartlands, the nature
of sport in schools, the value of sport
to corporate Singapore and the
importance of sport to our national
identity in the face of our transforming
world.
THE DEMANDS OF CHANGEAt Vision 2030, we believe that
sport can and will provide many of
the solutions Singapore will need
in the years to come. Like an open-
water swimmer adapting to different
water conditions or a table tennis
player changing his style of play,
Singaporeans must be prepared
to lead the change we want in our
country. Our long experience in
anticipating and analyzing trends;
our capacity for planning, adapting
and aligning a whole-of-government
approach and our willingness
to employ creative, innovative
collaborations will be needed more
than ever before.
We should expect the world to change
as significantly in the next two decades
as it has in the past five decades. The
burden of responsibility on the average
Singaporean today will increase in
the decades to come, even as they
raise their expectations of a better
life. Like most generations, they have
an inherent belief that they will enjoy
a better life than their parents did.
However this is no longer a certainty.
Given our accomplishments since
independence, Singapore has much to
lose if we do not pro-actively navigate
and direct these challenges.
A NEW RELEVANCE FOR SPORTDuring the first decades of Singapore’s
history, our government did not rank
sport among its top priorities. However
as we overcame the challenges
associated with housing, education and
security, sport began a gradual rise to
prominence. In the 10 years since the
release of the Committee on Sporting
Singapore recommendations in June
2001, we have seen greater sports
participation, improved performance
and expanded investment on the back
of strategies designed to promote
sport.
However Vision 2030 would like to shift
the perspective. In our view, we do not
need strategies for sport. We believe
that sport should be adopted as a
national strategy to stimulate positive,
systemic change. Working with MCYS,
SSC put together a steering committee
to lead the discussion, consider
proposals and recommend policy
development based on the ideas and
feedback generated by the sporting
community and the public at large.
“Sports can be used as a strategy for
individual character development to
prepare our people for a more complex
and competitive environment,” said
Mr Chan Chun Sing, Acting Minister
for Community Development, Youth
& Sports and Co-Chair of the Vision
2030 Steering Committee. “It can be a
way for busy people to find balance; for
the silver generation to age actively;
for youth to be engaged and learn
life skills. On the community front,
sports can be a powerful tool to bond
communities across genders, races and
religions. Sports can also be used to
build national pride, unite and ignite
our people as we move forward as
one.”
With the public launch of the project,
SSC Chief Executive Officer, Lim Teck
Yin asked: “How does sport add value
to your life and the lives of your team
and community? This is not a question
that seeks an abstract answer, but one
that asks us to ponder about the hard
facts of what is needed for us to live
healthy, happy and meaningful lives.
We were born as social beings; we are
raised to compete and excel (hopefully
with the right values); and we are
inspired by greatness. So how can we
develop sports in Singapore for it to be
a force for the betterment of our lives?”
After the launch in July 2011, the Vision
2030 team canvassed people from all
walks of life in Singapore, asking about
the sport in their lives. We wanted
to know why they played the sports
they did and whether they wanted to
play more. We wanted to hear about
the obstacles they faced in playing
sports. We asked about the support
they received from their schools and
their companies. We held talks with
young and mature athletes, parents,
educators, senior citizens, sponsors,
employers, business leaders, investors
and civil servants. Our conversations
took place under seven broad
banners of discussions, led by seven
subcommittees:
• BalancetotheRhythmofanUrbanLife(Subcommittee chaired by: Ng
Lang, CEO, Urban Redevelopment
Authority; Tan Wearn Haw, CEO,
Singapore Sailing Association)
Goal: To explore how sport can help
bring balance to our lives. Sport
is an opportunity for renewal
and rejuvenation — a chance
to reconnect with the diverse
communities in the fast-paced world
in which we live.
© 31/10/2011 All Rights Reserved - Arup Sport - DP Architects - Singapore Sports Hub
Photo by John Heng
Vision 2030│4 3│Vision 2030
• FutureReady(Subcommittee
chaired by: Yam Ah Mee, Chief
Executive Director, People’s
Association; Leslie Tan, Founder &
Editor, Redsports)
Goal: To explore how sport can
help Singaporeans prepare for
future challenges. In sports, we
learn how to lead, follow or get out
of the way. Leadership, discipline,
independence and teamwork are all
vital to success in the modern world.
• FutureScape (Subcommittee
chaired by: Dr Cheong Koon Hean,
CEO, Housing Development Board;
Dr Aymeric Lim, Associate Professor,
Chairman Medical Board, National
University Hospital)
Goal: To explore the use of space
for sport in the future. Life is about
change — and you can see this in
action as Singapore develops new
places to play and enjoy sports.
Through new technologies and
innovative thinking, we are adapting
our place-making strategies for
sports to design and build a better
life experience for Singaporeans.
• GenerationZ (Subcommittee
chaired by: Antonio del Rosario,
General Manager, Coca-Cola
Singapore; Mr André Ahchak, Chief
Operating Officer, AzVox Media and
Communications Pte Ltd )
Goal:To explore how sport can
do more for youth in Singapore.
Everyone has a sporting spirit, a
sporting life. Sport is an opportunity
for youth self-expression and
discovery, a chance for them to
connect with our world.
• OrganisingforSuccess
(Subcommittee chaired by: Richard
Seow, Chairman, Singapore Sports
Council; Jessie Phua, President,
Singapore Bowling Federation)
Goal: To explore how the public,
private and people sectors can work
together more effectively to deliver
the objectives of Vision 2030. Sport
can be among the most effective
strategies for nation-building.
Working together, we can identify
the structures and systems needed
to develop the sports model best
for Singapore over the next two
decades.
• SilverGeneration (Subcommittee
chaired by: Dr Teo Ho Pin, Mayor,
North West District and Ang Hak
Seng, CEO, Health Promotion Board)
Goal: To explore how sport can
contribute to active ageing. A
sporting life can be enjoyed at any
age. Retirees can still be engaged in
sports as officials, coaches, sports
administrators and volunteers. Not
only does remaining active in sport
help people stay fit and healthy, it
is an excellent way to maintain a
fulfilling social life.
• SpiritofSingapore (Subcommittee
chaired by: Lawrence Lien, National
Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre;
Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, President,
Special Olympics Singapore)
Goal: To explore how sport can drive
the Spirit of Singapore. What is our
sporting spirit? It’s that irrepressible
pride that sweeps over us when our
anthem is played, when our team
triumphs and even when one of our
athletes goes down with courage.
This pride of ownership is good for
Singapore as a nation and will help
sustain us in the decades to come.
MrChanChunSing(Chairman)Acting Minister Community Development, Youth and Sports
DrAymericLimChairman Medical Advisory Board National University Hospital
MrTeoSerLuck(DeputyChairman)Minister of StateMinistry of Trade & Industry
MsSawPhaikHwaChief Executive OfficerSMRT
MsYeohCheeYanSecond Permanent SecretaryMinistry of Education
MrAndréAhchakChief Operating OfficerAzVox Media and Communications Pte Ltd
MrNgWaiChoongDeputy Secretary (Policy)Ministry of Finance
MrsJessiePhuaCouncil MemberSingapore National Olympic Council
MrYamAhMeeChief Executive DirectorPeople‘s Association
DrTeo-KohSockMiangPresidentSpecial Olympics Singapore
MrAngHakSengChief Executive OfficerHealth Promotion Board
DrTeoHoPinMayorNorth-West District
MrNgLangChief Executive Officer Urban Redevelopment Authority
MrZainudinNordinDirector, NTUC Care & ShareNational Trades Union Congress
DrCheongKoonHeanChief Executive Officer Housing & Development Board
MrTanWearnHawChief Executive OfficerSingapore Sailing Federation
MrRichardSeowChairmanSingapore Sports Council
MrLaurenceLienChief Executive OfficerNational Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre
MrRayFergusonRegional Chief ExecutiveSingapore & South-East AsiaStandard Chartered Bank
MrLeslieTanFounder and Editor Red Sports
MrTanTongHaiChief Operating OfficerStarHub
MsAsmahHanimbinteMohamed Honorary Assistant Secretary Singapore Athletic Association
MrAntonioDelRosario General Manager Coca-Cola Singapore
VISION 2030 STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Photo by Edwin Koo
Vision 2030│6 5│Vision 2030
VISION 2030 WHERE WE ARE NOW The Vision 2030 team engaged 500
people in focus groups, and more than
2,000 people sent in recommendations
by email or by posting on our www.
vision2030.sg website. As the analytical
work by our subcommittees got
underway, several themes emerged
from the passionate response and
informed perspective.
SportAsANationalLanguageSport can open lines of communication
among people who do not believe
they have anything in common. Sport
can inspire people to open their
communities to others, and it can
inspire people to join new ones.
Sport provides neutral but positive
environments for people to socialise
and compete with each other. Sport
can speak to people in a language
they understand, with rules they
will honour and outcomes they will
respect. Sport literally gets people
on their feet and into the game—as
players, as spectators, as volunteers,
as cheerleaders. Sport doesn’t care
how old or young you are. Sport helps
us grow as individuals, as communities
and as a nation. Sport is a language
that will unite us as friends, colleagues,
competitors and Singaporeans.
Whythismatters: Singapore’s
cultural and ethnic cohesion has been
a key facet of our national identity
since independence. We may not
always agree with each other but as a
plural society, we have managed our
differences in a spirit of mutual respect.
The relationships we have forged at
home with each other have created a
powerful image internationally. Our
social harmony has been a natural draw
for multinational companies, looking
to establish a regional base. These
companies provide employment and
help diversify our economy to the
benefit of all.
In recent years, though, economic
pressures have been testing the
strength of our social fabric. The
recession of 2008-2009 triggered many
concerns over what the future held for
Singaporeans. People wrote letters to
the media, expressing anger and fear
that Singaporean jobs were being lost
to foreigners or that coveted spots
at university were being granted to
students from overseas.
As a society, we are not unique in our
concerns about what the future holds
for ourselves and our children. As
we continue to see the arrival of new
immigrants, permanent residents,
employment pass holders and foreign
workers, a common language will be
ever-more relevant. Sport can provide
all of us with not only a much-needed
sense of equity but an improved sense
of self-worth and belonging.
In Sporting Singapore, everyone gets
a voice.
SportWithoutBoundariesSport can mean many things to
different people; but everyone who
wants to play should be given an
opportunity to play their sport. Sport
without Boundaries is about providing
quality programming and affordable
access to facilities and coaches. It is as
philosophical as reconsidering how we
use space with the aim of maximising
the social value of our limited land
resources. It is as practical as reducing
red tape for bookings or increasing our
co-use schemes with partners. It is as
vital as encouraging social integration
on the sports field while still offering
people opportunities to play at their
own speed, regardless of age, ability,
race or religion.
Sport without Boundaries can be
something as simple as providing
shaded space for senior citizens
to practise qigong with a caring,
qualified coach near their home. Or
it’s a dedicated bus, designed with
a wheel-chair ramp, to take the silver
generation to a nearby sports and
recreation facility. It is about allocated
time for seniors to play table tennis
or go swimming at the SRC, with
the possibility of a heart and blood
pressure check following a workout. It
is about encouraging people to play at
their own pace.
Sport without boundaries is about
working with children to help them
develop their particular sporting
talents instead of forcing them to
choose from a pre-set list of approved
sports. It is about ensuring that all
children get to play the sport they love
every day of the week. By providing
focus and hope through sport, it is
about ensuring that we do not lose our
youth generation to crime, drugs or
other forms of bad behaviour.
Sport without boundaries is about
supporting the disadvantaged or
the disenfranchised in discovering
their passion for sports. It welcomes
people with intellectual and physical
disabilities with the same good
sportsmanship and support that it puts
forward for the fully able. Sport without
Boundaries ensures that facilities are
designed to make it easier, not harder,
for the disabled to play sport.
Sport without boundaries provides
access and opportunities for all people
to stay fit and healthy and to enjoy
sports, regardless of socio-economic
status, race or religion. Sport without
boundaries says unequivocally that
everyone can play.
Whythismatters:Not every family
can afford a country club membership
to play tennis. Not every adult can still
drive a car to get to the badminton
court. Not every player can retain the
services of a great coach.
Sport without Boundaries will provide
everyone with the space to live an
active and healthy lifestyle. Through
the accessibility of sporting spaces,
we will engage youths at school, on
the streets and in the communities.
Given our diverse background, it is
through the spaces for sport that we
unite regardless of race, age, ability or
language. As our population ages, the
spaces and accessibility that we create
for sport keeps our silver generation
strong, fit and active, not just for their
families but our ageing workforce.
As we increase the accessibility for sport,
we will provide the working population
with the facilities and infrastructure
to weave sport and exercise in their
everyday lives. The spaces we create for
our disabled can enrich their lives, it can
include them into the community. It gives
them a sense of freedom and empowers
them with hope. Photo courtesy of Special Olympics
Ameer Amran made waves in the school sport scene this year with his agility and acrobatic footwork in sepak takraw. After receiving the Singapore School Sports Council Best School Boy Award for the sport, the Queensway Secondary School student was quick to pay tribute to the role that sport has played in shaping his life.
Behind his diligent exterior lies a compelling story of how sport has helped him pull through a turbulent past. At the tender age of seven, his parents were arrested for drug offences. Soon after his release from prison, Ameer’s father left for Indonesia, leaving Ameer and his brother under the care of his grandmother. A year later, his mom was released, but a repeated drug offence sent her back to prison. At just 17, Ameer works part-time at a restaurant on weekends to make ends meet and he continues to be a role model for his younger brother. Through sport, he has built the confidence to forge a future filled with hope and endless possibilities. (Source: TNP, 10-10-2011, Dad Missing, Mum Struggling, But He Wins Top Award)
Vision 2030│8 7│Vision 2030
The accessibility we create for our
youth-at-risk or underprivileged can
provide them with a path towards a
more productive and meaningful life.
Through our spaces, we inspire. It can
be a space of hope, one where youths
gather to forge closer bonds, build life-
long values and soar to greater heights.
In Sporting Singapore, everyone gets
to play.
FutureReadyThroughSportsChildren, youth and young adults
learn principles through sport that
will serve them well in all aspects
of life, throughout their lives. Sport
teaches young children about learning
to win while playing by the rules.
Sport teaches youth how to grow as
individuals while serving the best
interests of a team. Sport teaches
people how to prepare strategically
and think tactically. When a game
goes wrong, sport teaches people
how to problem-solve in real time.
Through failure on the field, people
learn resilience and tenacity in life.
They learn respect for comrades and
competitors, regardless of nationality,
race, religion, age and ability. They learn
perspective, good judgement and good
sportsmanship. Young adults learn
when to lead and when to follow to
accomplish a specific task or a greater
purpose. They learn that ability must be
supported by hard work, perseverance
and commitment to a greater good.
Everyone learns that winning doesn’t
matter without fair play.
Whythismatters: The planet may
be revolving at the same speed it
always has, but the life of an average
Singaporean is moving ever-faster.
Sport can help prepare Singaporeans
for a more competitive and more
demanding future. In today’s global
economy, Singapore competes with
the world, and Singaporeans compete
with candidates from around the
world. Thirty years ago, a university
degree was a guarantee of a job with
good prospects. Twenty years ago,
people needed fluency in a second
language as well as a master degree.
As companies merged and downsized
and global markets rationalised, new
graduates discovered there were no
guarantees, anymore.
A life in sports can provide people
with attributes valued by employers.
Athletes who have understood the
need for a long-term disciplined
training programme understand that
there are no short cuts to success in
business, either. Athletes who have
played different positions on a team
appreciate the different roles played
by people on a finance project. People
who know how to win with grace or
lose with nobility also know how to
motivate and lead people through
good times or bad times. Youth who
exemplify good sportsmanship on the
field as young athletes will be excellent
team players as working adults. They
can be relied upon to work for the
good of the group, the good of the
company and the good of the nation.
In Sporting Singapore, everyone learns
to do the right thing.
OrganisingForSuccessNewspaper headlines and studies
from around the world tell us that the
rich are getting richer and the poor
are getting poorer. More people are
suffering from obesity and related
illnesses such as hypertension, Type
2 diabetes and osteoarthritis. More
people are suffering from stress—too
many responsibilities at work, rising
family pressures and too little time for
leisure.
In Singapore, where people put in
more hours at the office than any other
country, the trends are becoming
visible here as well. Singapore still has
an obesity rate well below those of
other first-world nations, and we have
a broad social safety net that offsets
some of the effect of the income gap.
However compounding the demands
of our busy professional lives and our
personal health issues is the rapid
graying of our population. For many
years, the fertility rate in Singapore
has been insufficient to maintain the
population growth needed to meet
the demands of our economy. People
are living longer, even as the workforce
supporting the economy is shrinking.
These issues are neither minor
nor short term. They will require
fundamental change by Singaporeans.
Whythismatters: Vision 2030 believes that sport has some of the
solutions we seek. It is imperative
that the people-private-and-public
sectors of Singapore work together to
co-create the solutions we need. By
aligning the different capabilities of the
various stakeholders, we will be better-
placed to manage the development of
policies, programming and space.
There are no easy answers, but sport
can build trust among millions of
people. It can drive awareness and
promote social responsibility. Through
the values of sport, we can strengthen
the resilience of our people, encourage
teamwork and develop strategic
leaders. With the support of Corporate
Singapore, we can uncover talent and
harness potential. We can develop
heroes who will inspire. Together
we can unite a nation, through
partnerships for sport.
Following the public consultation, the
Vision 2030 team drafted 19 preliminary
recommendations on how sport could
be a key strategy to serve Singapore.
The Vision 2030 team is now seeking
further feedback from stakeholders
to review the recommendations. The
preliminary recommendations have
been categorised under Opportunities,
Access and Capabilities.
Vision 2030│10 9│Vision 2030
OPPORTUNITIES1.SuperSportsClubsForm regional ‘Super Sports Clubs’
to extend the reach of sports
programming. The Super Sports Clubs
will be a home base for individuals,
families and the community to gather,
learn, train and compete in a range
of sports and get together for social
or business purposes. The Super
Sports Clubs will provide affordable
community-relevant programming
and coaching for all skill levels and
age groups, including fundamental
movement skills for young children
and modified sports for seniors. The
community can enjoy spontaneous
play, compete in league-based
competitions or host one-off sporting
events. The Clubs will also welcome
corporate sports teams and will
prepare members or teams to compete
in national/open championships. The
pilot concept for the Super Sports
Clubs will be implemented towards the
end of 2012. The public are invited to
log on to vision2030.sg to vote on the
sports they would like to see piloted in
the inaugural year.
2.SportsPathwaysCommitteeEstablish a standing Sports Pathways
Committee, comprising members
from MCYS, MOE, Singapore Armed
Forces, People’s Association, National
Trades Union Congress, tertiary
institutions, Singapore Sports School
and the Singapore Sports Council.
The committee serves as a platform
for collaboration in the development
of different pathways, allowing people
to remain active in sports, as athletes,
coaches, officials or in other career
options available in sports. The
committee would seek to provide every
youth in Singapore the opportunity
to regularly participate in sport,
whether at school, university, during
National Service or in the community.
Additionally, the committee would
work to encourage Singaporeans to
embrace a sporting lifestyle and that
sport becomes a tool to inculcate
strong social values in our youth.
3.CorporateLeaguesWork with Corporate Singapore to see
companies expand their involvement in
sport. The concepts include:
• Leveragingonsportforleadership
development and learning
programmes for employees
• Formingacompetitivecorporate
sports league, supported and/or
organised by companies to play
within and cross business sectors
• Customisingsportingsolutionsfor
companies to use as employee
loyalty/perquisite programmes
• Developingappropriateincentives
and recognition for companies that
support Sporting Singapore
4.SeniorsFitnessEcosystemDevelop a fitness ecosystem for
seniors. The strategy includes, but is
not limited to, the following:
• Enhancingthemulti-agency
collaborative platform to encompass
private sector partners, service
providers and Voluntary Welfare
Organisations
• Workingwithstakeholderstoidentify
three to five easily accessible sports
for seniors to promote cardiovascular
health, balance, strength and
flexibility
• Workingwithstakeholderstocreate
multi-tiered outreach programmes,
with modest incentive components,
to motivate seniors of all ages and
abilities to take up these sports
• Settingnationalstandardsforsports
participation and sports safety for
seniors
• Creatingpathwaysandpositionsfor
seniors to continue contributing to
our sporting communities
throughout their lifetimes
5.UnifiedSportsCollaborate to create opportunities
for unified sports to bridge divides in
society. For example, sporting events
could feature mixed teams of the able-
bodied and those with physical and
intellectual disabilities. The concept of
unified sports will revolve around the
use of modified rules, play areas and
equipment to create a level playing
field. The participants will come to
learn more about each other as they
train and compete together in a spirit
of inclusiveness. The relationships and
sensibilities developed on the field may
be extended into daily life, benefiting
all Singaporeans.
ACCESS6.SportsEventsStrategyRevamp the Sports Events Strategy
with a more holistic approach and
clearly defined outcomes. A portfolio
of events will be identified and
developed to serve the different
national needs. First, international
events will provide national athletes
with opportunities to raise their
standards and will contribute to
Singapore’s positioning as a vibrant
global city in which to “Live, Work
and Play”. Second, there will be
events to inspire participation, either
through opportunities for ordinary
Singaporeans to see the best of the
world play or to take part in such
as the Singapore National Games.
Third, we will need to create a
sports entertainment environment
to generate more interest among
fans and spectators. This will in turn
stimulate private sector interest in
broadcast content, branding and
sponsorship, sale of rights and
merchandise licensing.
7.SportsSpectatorshipandViewershipEnhance the experience for spectators
at live action events and the broadcast
audience by leveraging on the latest
technologies and sports presentation
formats. Advancements in technology,
such as smart-phones and interactive
TVs, will continue to change the way
that media content is consumed.
Premium-quality production of ‘live’
sporting events, both locally and
internationally, will bring sport directly
into the homes of Singaporeans. The
sustained media coverage of local
athletes and teams will also help
the public experience the sporting
journey vicariously and increase the
sense of national pride linked to their
achievements.
Interactive content across the full
range of platforms will create a
vibrant sport broadcast industry,
generating employment opportunities
for Singaporeans in diverse areas
such as filming, editing, scripting and
announcing.
8.TeamSingaporeStrengthen connections between the
general public and Team Singapore
athletes. A deeper identification with
Team Singapore will help Singaporeans
develop a greater sense of national
pride and identity. We want people to
realise the impact sport can have on
the development of community social
capital and to identify with our national
athletes.
9.SportsFacilitiesMasterPlanDevelop a new concept for the future
planning and design of sports facilities
under the Sports Facilities Master Plan
(SFMP). The SFMP will incorporate the
national sports agenda, strategic plans
by other government agencies, the
changing needs of the community and
shifting demographics.
The SFMP has called for more creative
and innovative placemaking for sports,
including making better use of space in
precincts, parks, waterways and the city
centre. This has translated into plans for
a more relevant mix of facilities, which
will also be designed with broadcast
and spectatorship considerations.
10.SportCaresFoundationandMovementEstablish a SportCares Foundation
and Movement. Singapore already
has a spirit of sport philanthropy and
volunteerism. However a SportCares
Foundation would make explicit the
efforts of the movement, which would
be focused on inculcating stronger
social values among Singaporeans
Vision 2030│12 11│Vision 2030
14.CoachingAcademyEstablish a ‘Coaching Academy’ to
lead the professional development
of coaches and the coaching sector
in Singapore. The Academy would
include mentoring opportunities for
coaches and speciality training in
working with youth, adults and seniors
to meet the growing demand from
individuals, schools, sports clubs,
national sports associations and
corporates. An international advisory
panel is expected to be formed to help
chart the direction and development of
the Academy.
These coaches will range from
instructors for learn-to-play classes
to participation coaches for youth to
high-performance coaches for national
teams. The Academy will serve as a
‘Gold Standard’ and establish coaching
as a viable and sustainable career
choice for Singaporeans.
15.SportsLeadershipandCharacterDevelopmentCurriculumProduce a curriculum on sports
leadership and character development
for use by leadership institutions to
provide platforms for organisations
and communities to strengthen their
people. The emphasis on sports
leadership and character building
is key to promoting the holistic
development of people through sport.
Teaching through sport situations, the
curriculum would strive to empower
individuals to achieve their full
potential, through self management
and responsible decision-making. The
curriculum would fully align with the
national standards for youth sports and
the frameworks for coaching, volunteer
and professional development
frameworks.
16.IntegratedAcademicandSportingCurriculumCollaborate with the Ministry of
Education to develop a more
integrated academic and sporting
curriculum. Many mainstream schools
are already trying to accommodate
the schedules of students preparing
for overseas competitions. However it
largely has been done on an ad-hoc
basis: students are given extra lessons
by their teachers; homework is given
in advance for the students to do on
the road; or students are permitted
to arrive late to school so they may
attend early morning training sessions.
Through the development of innovative
integrated sports programmes in more
schools, more students will be able to
achieve both academic and sporting
excellence.
17.AcademyforSportsProfessionalsUpgrade the sports sector by forming
an Academy for Sports Professionals.
It will develop the knowledge and
capabilities of administrators, coaches,
technical officials, and athletes,
leading to a more professional and
capable industry overall. The Academy
will tie up with existing local or
overseas universities to offer diploma,
graduate diploma, degree, and
further downstream, post-graduate
certification. There will also be short
courses for continuing education.
18.SustainableResourcingModelforSportingSingaporeExplore alternate sources of funding,
thereby reducing Sporting Singapore’s
dependence on government monies
for sport development.
Going forward, in the medium to long
term, Singapore could reduce its
dependence on direct government
support through the continued
development of the local sports
rights and sponsorship market,
and an expansion of sport-related
philanthropy.
With more diversified funding,
Sporting Singapore will enjoy improved
opportunities to realise a more vibrant
future for sports in the country.
19.ProfessionalServicesintheSportsIndustryEstablish a multi-agency effort,
involving the private sector and
professional bodies, to grow
professional services in the sports
industry. Not only will this effort serve
growing local and regional demand
for such services, it will diversify the
career options for athletes. To support
Singapore’s position as an Asian hub
for sports industry (investment in new
business and capex in fixed assets)
and sports business (sponsorships
of events and athletes, intellectual
properties), there is a need for an
intellectual infrastructure to nurture
the development of sport-related
professional services such as in law and
marketing. For example, Singapore
already is seen as an expert in finance
and law and has an excellent reputation
in arbitration. Developing its expertise
as a regional expert on dispute
resolution in sport would be a logical
next step.
through sport. SportCares would use
sport to improve the well-being of
vulnerable segments of our society.
We believe that the creation of the
SportCares Foundation could be
activated to address this gap in social
opportunities.
SportCares would be an ideal platform
for Corporate Singapore to use sport
for corporate social responsibility. The
SportCares Foundation would optimise
the positive impact that sport can have
on who we are as a cohesive nation
of diverse communities. SportCares
would be a platform for people who
have benefited from society to give
back into society, through donations to
the SportCares Foundation or through
sports volunteerism.
11.TechnologytoPromoteSportingAwarenessandLifestyleImprove our communication on sports
programming by creating a one-stop
platform with information on the
availability of sport facilities, activities
and events. A more integrated
approach will lead to more organic and
spontaneous formation of sporting
events and clusters, similar to the
ecosystem at Turf City.
CAPABILITIES12.SportsVolunteerFrameworkDevelop an enhanced Sports
Volunteers Framework to add value
to the volunteer journey and raise
the quality of sport volunteerism in
Singapore. SSC should create a “Gold
Standard” for sports volunteerism,
positioning itself as a platform for
learning, development and community.
The ultimate aim of the Framework is
to develop sports volunteerism as part
of a national strategy to strengthen
communities and people.
13.SingaporeSportsInstituteExpand the community impact of the
Singapore Sports Institute (SSI) by
enhancing the sporting system. The
SSI will be able to more effectively
deliver the benefits of success in high-
performance sport to all Singaporeans
in the following key areas:
• Long-termathletedevelopmentand
life planning support
• Capabilitydevelopmentforsports
science and medicine
• Industrydevelopmentforsports
science and medicine
The Singapore Sports Council│14 13│The Singapore Sports Council
THE HISTORY OF SPORTING SINGAPORETHE SINGAPORE SPORTS COUNCIL
If you run a sports business, you
know that we are committed to
your success. If you have wanted
to upgrade your professional skills,
you know we develop capabilities
across all facets of sports industry,
including manufacturing, retail
and merchandising, media and
broadcasting, education and training,
sports medicine and science services
and professional services such as
sports events and talent management,
law and consultancies. It’s a long
list because there are so many
opportunities
Wherever you are in sport, that is
where we are, too. Whoever you want
to be in sports, that is who we are.
WHAT WE DOFormed in 1973, Singapore Sports
Council (SSC) is the national sports
agency, functioning as the country’s
master planner, funder and partner
in sports development. Working with
the public and private sectors, SSC
promotes and develops participation,
excellence and industry at home
and internationally. Everything we
do is driven by the belief that sport
contributes to the character of our
people, the vibrancy of our city and the
economic stability and diversity of our
nation.
OurVision: A Sporting Singapore. Our
Way of Life.
WHO WE AREWe are many different things to many
different people. If you enjoy sports,
you have already seen us doing what
we do best.
If you have sweated through a sports
lesson, you were likely coached by
someone we helped train. If you played
sports in school, you may have taken a
class we helped fund. If you get up to
swim at dawn, you may be practising in
one of our pools. If you play a weekly
game with friends for fun, you are the
spirit of our Let’s Play brand.
If you have qualified for a National
squad, then you know us as one of
your greatest supporters and fans. If
you have worn Singapore’s colours at a
major game, you were probably treated
by one of our sports medicine and
science specialists.
If you have put your pride on the line
in a sporting competition, you very
likely have seen our name on the
marquee as an organiser, a supporter
or a sponsor. If you came to cheer for
your friends and family during the race,
you saw our signs on sports safety. If
you have played at one of our Sports &
Recreation Centres, you know we mean
it when we say: Think Safe, Play Safe,
Stay Safe.
If you have organised a sporting event,
you know us as a trusted partner. If you
are a sports journalist, you know we
want to read your stories.
OurMission: Developing sports
champions & creating enjoyable
sporting experiences for Singapore
With a mandate from the Ministry of
Community Development, Youth and
Sports, we develop opportunities
and pathways for people to play and/
or excel in sports as recreational or
elite athletes; to be engaged in sports
as coaches, officials, volunteers or
fans; and to do business in sports as
sponsors, investors, media, sports
medical personnel, retailers and
manufacturers.
We employ over 900 people at our
head office and through our vast
network of swimming complexes,
Sports & Recreation Centres, stadiums,
sports halls and sports fields.
SSC has always maintained that we
are only as strong as our network
of partners. Among our major
partners are the 64 National Sports
Associations (NSAs) – the individual
national governing bodies for sports
sanctioned by SSC, the Ministry of
Education (MOE) and the Singapore
National Olympic Council (SNOC), the
People’s Association and the Economic
Development Board.
The NSAs play a key role in developing
their respective sports – ranging from
driving general participation at one
end of the sporting spectrum and elite
performance at the other. SSC funds
the NSAs in the range of S$50 million
to S$60 million (on average) every year
in direct and indirect grants through
a process known as the Annual NSA
Grant Exercise (ANGE). The ANGE
process reviews funding proposals by
the NSAs and then determines the SSC
financial support for the respective
associations.
ANGE is one of the most important
levers used by SSC to drive sports
development in Singapore. It helps
us set benchmarks for the NSAs in
developing sports participation,
training coaches and officials,
hosting events, financial governance,
management succession and creating
long-term elite athlete development
programmes.
NSAs that wish to receive funding from
SSC must ensure that fundamental
governance frameworks and processes
are in place. These are provided for in
the code of governance for charitable
organisations. Thus, NSAs must be
registered as a charitable organisation
to qualify for SSC funding.
In addition, NSAs must demonstrate
their capabilities in long-term planning
and the operating framework to
implement their plans. Introduced in
2010, this requirement is in line with
international best practices in sports
development.
The MOE has played a critical role in
maintaining the participation of youth
in sports throughout their student
years as well as grooming sporting
talents for the future. Moreover,
Singapore’s network of schools helps
deliver SSC policies on athlete and
coach development, officials training
and sports safety.Photo by John Heng Photo by Edwin Koo
The Singapore Sports Council│16 15│The Singapore Sports Council
As we realise this vision, our city
becomes a more dynamic place to
live: more people playing sports, more
sports becoming available and more
places and opportunities for people to
play sports.
Indeed, our growing sporting culture
has helped turn Singapore into one of
the most vibrant and enjoyable cities in
which to live.
WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHEDIn the past 10 years, the Singapore
Sports Council has transformed the
nation’s attitudes towards sports.
People are playing more sports,
watching more sports and volunteering
at more sporting events. Sports jobs
are increasing in numbers and variety,
e.g. coaching, events management,
public relations, science & medicine
and broadcast media.
We also are, increasingly, winning our
share of medals at major multi-sport
games, world championships and
regional competitions. In 2008, at the
Beijing Olympic Games, we won our
first Olympic medal in 48 years with the
Ladies Table Tennis team picking up
the silver. At the Paralympics in 2008,
Yip Pin Xiu won Singapore’s first gold
medal in our history of competing at
the games.
Rising table tennis star Isabelle Li, at
only 14 years old, played with valour to
a silver medal at the Singapore 2010
Youth Olympic Games. In 2010, the
Ladies Table Tennis Team emerged
as Champions at the Liebherr World
Table Tennis Championships in
Moscow. We have won medals at world
championships in swimming, shooting
and sailing.
We are not resting on our laurels. For
the London Olympic Games in 2012, we
are aiming to win two Olympic medals
and six at Rio 2016.
Singapore is fast-becoming one of
the world’s leading cities for sports,
entertainment and leisure, thanks in
part to the many initiatives driven by
SSC. In early 2010 we were ranked
2nd only to Melbourne in the Ultimate
Sports Cities Awards, hosted by the
prestigious Sport Business Group of
London – an award that paid tribute to
the diversity and innovation we have in
our events portfolio. Later in the year,
we also won the Sports City award for
2010 at the International Sports Event
Management Conference in London.
When we held the inaugural FORMULA
1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
as a night race, we made Formula 1
history. When we held the inaugural
Asian Youth Games Singapore 2009,
we made history for the youth of Asia.
When we held the inaugural Singapore
2010 Youth Olympic Games, we
made Olympic history. Moreover, we
continue to make Singaporean history
by hosting a full calendar of regional
and community events, seeing 700 in
2009 and about 600 in 2010.
Sporting events add to Singapore’s
economic diversity and stability.
However, events are not the only
vehicle producing returns for the
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DOWe believe that sport enriches lives.
Our vision is to make sport a way of life
in Singapore. Playing sports teaches
people of all ages how to be resilient
and disciplined, to act tactically while
thinking strategically, to remain true
to a plan while problem-solving in
real-time, to work independently
and to work as a team, to push on
through adversity and to celebrate
achievement and to play with spirit
while demonstrating respect for all.
The life lessons we learn in sports will
help us lead better, richer lives.
Photo by John Heng Photo by Tilt Pte Ltd
The Singapore Sports Council│18 17│The Singapore Sports Council
country. Sporting Singapore has
brought in pure financial investment
in branding, capital spending in
new enterprise and value add in the
creation of new jobs.
There is more excitement to come. The
upcoming Singapore Sports Hub (SSH)
will literally change our landscape.
As a megaproject, it will accelerate
the development of our sports
industry, excellence and participation.
Combined with our recurring
programming and events, SSH will
take Sporting Singapore to a new
level of sporting achievement at home
and internationally. SSH will drive the
creation of new revenue streams and
jobs during the construction periods
and generate new career pathway
options once the developments are
fully operational.
SPORTSPARTICIPATION In driving sports participation, SSC
is planting the seeds of a holistic
sporting culture – a culture where
people cannot imagine life without
sports. Team Singapore, the collective
identity of our elite athletes, coaches
and officials, is one of our most
powerful vehicles for igniting sports
passion in Singapore. The valour and
success of our Team Singapore athletes
at major games and international
championships helps connect our
communities. Anchored by the three
key attributes of Pride, Performance
and Perseverance, Team Singapore
galvanises people into sporting action.
Through Team Singapore and other
initiatives, SSC sparks participation by
providing opportunities and access
for all Singaporeans to enjoy sports as
players, coaches, officials, volunteers,
spectators, media and sponsors.
OPPORTUNITIESTO PLAYSportsParticipationPathwayProgrammeLong-term athlete development
recognises that children, youth and
adults learn how to move and play
sports over several stages. Influencing
an athlete’s progression are the
different physical, psychological,
emotional and social development
periods they experience in life.
The process starts with helping young
children develop basic psycho-motor
skills, such as agility, balance, co-
ordination and speed. It goes on
to help develop the sporting skills
and knowledge that will encourage
individuals to participate in life-long
physical activity and recreational sport.
Ultimately, for those with potential, the
Pathway can provide the platform for
elite performance.
The Pathway Programme approach
will define roles for all delivery
agencies within Sporting Singapore,
creating a common framework
for concepts and practice. SSC is
already currently working with its
many partners, especially the MOE,
on a few programmes as part of this
holistic pathway development strategy.
Although it is still in its early days,
the Pathway Programme is already
addressing several of the phases
represented in long-term athlete
development.
Some examples of programmes
include:
•FundamentalMovementSkills(FMS): Physical literacy, such as
coordination and strength, is an
important contributor to developing
confidence in children and youth.
International studies have shown
that if children haven’t mastered
basic sports movements by nine to
12 years of age, they are likely to
withdraw from sports completely
during their teens.
To get our children off on the right
start, we produced a new guidebook
for educators and caregivers for
preschoolers from the age of two
years and youngsters up to 10
years old. Fun Start! Move Smart!
The FUNdamental MOVEment
Skills for Growing Active Learners
Resource Guide is designed for
preschool teachers, caregivers,
parents and other people who work
or volunteer with small children. The
guide is packed with suggestions
for activities, teaching aids, safety
practices and observational
checklists to get children moving in
and out of the classroom. The earlier
children learn the basic movements
associated with agility, balancing,
hopping, skipping, jumping, running,
throwing and catching, the easier it
will be to pick up sports.
• SportsEducationProgramme(SEP):An innovative joint venture
funding programme with the Ministry
of Education, the SEP expands the
number of sporting options available
to youth across the school system.
SEP has funded co-curricular classes,
sports leagues and sports camps.
More than a quarter million children
and youth have played sports as a
result of the SEP model.
• SatelliteCentres:More
opportunities, more access for youth
aged 6 – 16 years to play sports at
a community level, with a heavy
focus on fun for all. The centres
are in the process of being set up
at schools, community clubs and
sports facilities across Singapore.
The original plan calls for 26 satellite
centres, in line with the 26 sports
played at the Singapore 2010 Youth
Olympic Games. However centres
for other sports may be established
in response to popular demand. The
centres will provide a league system
for children and youth who want to
play but have been unable to qualify
for the school teams.
ListofOfficialSchoolSports
ArcheryBadmintonBasketballCanoeingCricketCross CountryFencingFloorballFootballGolf GymnasticsHockeyJudoNetballRugbySailing
Sepak TakrawShootingSoftballSquashSwimmingTable TennisTaekwondoTennisTenpin BowlingTrack & FieldVolleyballWater PoloWushu
Photo by John Heng
The Singapore Sports Council│20 19│The Singapore Sports Council
• Junior/YouthTechnicalOfficiatingProgramme: Recognising the need
to groom local technical officials,
SSC worked with MOE and the NSAs
to launch the Junior Youth Officiating
Programme in 2009. SSC provides
the technical theory on officiating
and the NSAs provide the practical
knowledge of the specific sports.
In 2010, the SSC included tertiary
schools in the programme.
COACHING PATHWAY PROGRAMMEA great coach brings out the best in
an athlete. Even if the athlete isn’t
destined for greatness, a great coach
brings out an immense feeling of
personal achievement and success in a
young child or team.
At SSC, we have a multi-level
framework to help raise the standards
of coaching throughout a coach’s
professional life. Our coaching
development programme provides
opportunities for coaches to expand
their knowledge base appropriate for
their coaching level. Not all coaches
want to take an athlete to an Olympic
Games. Quality coaching is needed at
all stages of the game.
NationalCoachingAccreditationProgramme(NCAP): Our NCAP is
designed to make better coaches
across the board, beginning with
learn-to-play coaches. Working with
the NSAs, we run coaching theory
classes on lesson management, ethics,
fair play, goal setting and managing
budgets; the NSAs run the sport
specific training workshops. NCAP is a
progressive programme that certifies
coaches with higher qualifications as
they advance through the training.
All NCAP coaches are registered in
our databank, the National Registry
of Coaches. Originally introduced
in 2005, NCAP has gradually been
raising the quality of coaching at all
levels in Singapore. More than 1,200
coaches have taken and passed NCAP
training. In 2010, the SSC began
working on enhancements to the coach
development framework.
ContinuingCoachEducationProgramme(CCE):CCE programmes
are organised regularly to help coaches
further upgrade their coaching
knowledge and skills, and raise their
level of coaching competency.
NationalRegistryofCoaches(NROC):Coaches who pass NCAP,
maintain their CCE status and a valid
CPR certificate are listed in this national
database, used by schools and parents
to source for qualified coaches.
www.coaching.com.sg
TECHNICAL OFFICIATING PATHWAY PROGRAMMEGreat technical officials are as crucial to
sports development as great coaches
are to athlete development. Technical
officials set the standards for ethics
in the sport and fair play in the event.
They ensure that games are won by
superior achievement – not lost by
poor officiating.
As Singapore positions itself as a
city for world-class sporting events,
the SSC has begun a long-term
development framework for Technical
Officials. We focus on three key
strategies: education and training
through programmes and mentorship;
practical experience through officiating
opportunities via the NSAs; and
recognition through grants and letters
of support for technical officials who
wish to train overseas.
The Junior Technical Officials
Programme (J-Top) provides a platform
for young athletes to learn officiating.
J-Top is another means for youth to
Total Number of Coaches: 1597
TopSportsbyNumberofCoaches
Swimming: 826Basketball: 109Wushu: 96Badminton: 65Bowling: 43 Football: 42 Archery: 41
Requirements:NCAP Theory and Technical Certification Minimum age of 18 and above Valid Standard First Aid and CPR Certification
Photo by John Heng
Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images
The Singapore Sports Council│22 21│The Singapore Sports Council
remain active in sports, long past their
years of competitive play. Concurrently,
it will expand the pool of volunteer
officials for community carnivals, fairs
and NSA junior events, and it will
help ensure the long-term quality of
technical officiating in Singapore.
SPORTSPARTICIPATION:SPORTS SAFETYThink Safe, Play Safe, Stay Safe. These
words are our best advice for everyone
playing sports. Our National Sports
Safety Framework has become a
benchmark for safety throughout
Singapore. We often are called in by
our partners in the education system,
the community associations, the club
networks and the private sector to give
presentations on safety awareness.
We provide practical advice that can
be used by individuals, company
managers and facility operators.
If you visit one of our facilities, you will
see our literature and guidelines on
safety from the moment you reach the
entrance gate. Defibrillators are within
easy reach of the pool and the playing
field to treat people in distress. More
than 90% of our staff are trained in
CPR, and we run training programmes
several times a year to ensure that
people maintain their knowledge
and efficiency in responding to
emergencies.
For more on sports safety, please visit:
www.sportssafety.gov.sg
SPORTSPARTICIPATION:PARTNERS IN PARTICIPATIONSSC works with many different
partners in both the private and public
sectors to raise awareness, create
programmes, fund sporting events
and media productions. The SSC
enjoys good working relationships
with fellow government agencies
such as Ministry of Education,
Economic Development Board, the
Urban Redevelopment Authority,
the Land Transport Authority, the
Singapore Tourism Board, the Media
Development Authority, the Workforce
Development Agency, to name only a
few. Among the many valued partners
from the private sector are Standard
Chartered Bank, OCBC Bank, Aviva,
DBS/POSBank, OSIM, Fairmont Hotel,
Nestle Milo, StarHub, and ASICS.
ACCESS TO PLAYSingapore has an extraordinary range
of low-cost places to play sports.
The SSC alone has 25 swimming
complexes, 21 Sports & Recreation
Centres, 18 stadiums, 141 badminton
courts, 56 tennis courts, 11 football
pitches and more. Visitorship to our
facilities continues to rise with the
growing popularity of sports and the
dynamic new design of our facilities.
In calendar 2009, the number of visits
to our facilities rose 8% year on year
to 12.9 million, an all-time high. People
are coming more frequently in part
because of the fresh new designs of
our facilities. They are brighter, more
appealing, easier to use and filled with
more of what you want and need –
space to socialise or have fun playing
with friends and family. The Sengkang
Sports and Recreation Centre
(SRC), which shares space with the
Anchorvale Community Club (CC), is
the newest generation of sports facility
in Singapore.
This award-winning facility combines
the best in universal design principles Photo by John Heng
SSC File Photo
The Singapore Sports Council│24 23│The Singapore Sports Council
with an organic respect for the
surrounding natural environment. The
development serves as a community
gathering place – a place where people
of all ages and abilities can socialise,
relax and play sports. Even the pool is
accessible by wheelchair. The SRC-CC
is a tribute to socially responsible and
inclusive building design.
SSC does not own the majority of
sports venues in Singapore. In fact,
SSC owns only 6% of all sports facilities
but accounts for 11% of consumer use
of sports venues. Sporting Singapore
has access to a much broader range
of places to play sports when facilities
owned by other organisations are
factored in.
Many agencies work in partnership with
SSC to ensure widespread public use
of sports space. The MOE allows many
of its fields and indoor sports halls
to be used by the public. The Public
Utilities Board allows watersports on
specific reservoirs and waterways. The
National Parks Board (NParks) plans to
have 300km of park connector lanes in
place by 2015. Some 150km are already
in use by cyclists, inline skaters and
runners. Our new Sengkang SRC links
directly to one of NParks’ connector
lanes, providing a prime opportunity
for people to get out of the car and
into the sunshine.
SPORTS EXCELLENCEA life in sports excellence often seems
to be lived in single moments: a match,
a goal, a game, a victory, a near-miss, a
penalty, a podium, a medal.
In fact, sporting excellence in Singapore
is not defined in moments but in years
of meticulously coordinated effort by
the athlete, the SSC, the National Sports
Associations, the Ministry of Education,
the Singapore National Oylmpic
Council, the families of the athletes and
the community at large to produce a
podium-worthy athlete.
We want to see our young medallists
mature into adult competitors, capable
of handling the pressure and the
technical demands of competing at
the highest level. We plan for multiple
peaks, followed by rest & recovery and
a resumption of training towards new
goals. And as we work with the athlete,
we also are steadily improving our
sports science, coaching and officiating
networks to provide important support
for the development of the athlete and
the sport itself.
As a prudent investor of public funds,
we focus heavily, but not exclusively,
on targeted sports where we believe in
strong medal prospects.
Performances at recent major games
demonstrate that SSC programmes and
systems are producing the anticipated
results – in mainstream sports, in niche
sports and in disability sports. Not
only are we qualifying more athletes
Photo by Chan Bin Kan
MOESchoool Fields: 85 Indoor Sports Halls: 45 Free-To-Play Fields: 50
The Singapore Sports Council│26 25│The Singapore Sports Council
for major international games, we are
reaching the podium more.
Our sports excellence strategy
comprises:
• Closepartnershipswithourkey
partners, the National Sports
Associations.
• Acomprehensivesuiteofhigh
performance support and services to
athletes, coaches and officials.
NATIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATIONSThe 64 National Sports Association
are the SSC’s primary partner in
developing elite athletes and sports
in Singapore. They cover a wide
range of sports from badminton to
cycling to fencing to golf to inline
skating to petanque to sailing
to woodball. Our newest NSA is
Special Olympics Singapore, which
is dedicated to providing sports
training and competitions for persons
with intellectual disabilities.
As the key agencies for promoting and
developing their respective sports in
Singapore, the NSAs play a vital role
in achieving the Sporting Singapore
vision. For this reason, SSC provides
wide-ranging support to NSAs to assist
in their development and to aid in the
delivery of national sporting objectives.
Sports Organisation ContactsArchery ARCHERY ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
www.singaporearchery.com
Athletics SINGAPORE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONwww.singaporeathletics.org.sg
Badminton SINGAPOREBADMINTONASSOCIATIONwww.singaporebadminton.org.sg
Baseball & Softball
SINGAPOREBASEBALL&SOFTBALLASSOCIATIONwww.sbsa.org
Basketball BASKETBALLASSOCIATIONOFSINGAPOREwww.bas.org.sg
Bodybuilding SINGAPOREBODYBUILDING&FITNESSFEDERATIONwww.sbbf.org.sg
Bowling SINGAPOREBOWLINGFEDERATIONwww.singaporebowling.org.sg
Boxing SINGAPOREAMATEURBOXINGASSOCIATIONwww.saba.org.sg
Canoe SINGAPORE CANOE FEDERATIONwww.scf.org.sg
Chess SINGAPORE CHESS FEDERATIONwww.singaporechess.org.sg
Contract Bridge SINGAPORECONTRACTBRIDGEASSOCIATIONwww.scba.org.sg
Cricket SINGAPORECRICKETASSOCIATIONwww.singaporecricket.org
Cuesports CUESPORTSSINGAPOREwww.cuesports.org.sg
Cycling SINGAPORE CYCLING FEDERATIONwww.cycling org.sg
Dancesport SINGAPORE DANCESPORT FEDERATION www.dancesport.org.sg
Darts SINGAPORE DARTS ASSOCIATION
Disability Sports SINGAPOREDISABILITYSPORTSCOUNCILwww.sdsc.org.sg
Dragon Boat SINGAPOREDRAGONBOATASSOCIATIONwww.sdba.org.sg
Equestrian EQUESTRIANFEDERATIONOFSINGAPOREwww.efs.org.sg
Fencing FENCING SINGAPOREwww.fencingsingapore.org.sg
Floorball SINGAPOREFLOORBALLASSOCIATIONwww.sfa.sg
Football FOOTBALLASSOCIATIONOFSINGAPOREwww.fas.org.sg
Gateball [email protected]
Golf (Men) SINGAPORE GOLF ASSOCIATIONwww.sga.org.sg
Gymnastics SINGAPORE GYMNASTICSwww.singaporesgymnastics.org.sg
Handball HANDBALLFEDERATIONOFSINGAPOREwww.hfs.org.sg
Hockey SINGAPOREHOCKEYFEDERATIONwww.hfs.org.sg
Ice Hockey SINGAPOREICEHOCKEYASSOCIATIONwww.singaporehockey.org
Ice Skating SINGAPOREICESKATINGASSOCIATIONwww.sisa.org.sg
Judo SINGAPOREJUDOFEDERATIONwww.singaporejudo.org.sg
Karate SINGAPOREKARATE-DOFEDERATIONwww.singaporekarate.org
Kendo SINGAPOREKENDOCLUB
Lawn Bowls BOWLSSINGAPOREwww.bowlssingapore.org.sg
Sports Organisation ContactsLawn Bowls BOWLSSINGAPORE
www.bowlssingapore.org.sgLife Saving THE SINGAPORE LIFE SAVING SOCIETY
www.slss.org.sgModern Pentathlon
SINGAPORE MODERN PENTATHLON ASSOCIATIONwww.singaporepentathlon.org.sg
Motor Sports SINGAPORE MOTOR SPORTS ASSOCIATIONwww.smsa.org.sg
Mountaineering SINGAPOREMOUNTAINEERINGFEDERATIONwww.smf.org.sg
Muay Thai [email protected]
Netball NETBALLSINGAPOREwww.netball.org.sg
Petanque SPORTSBOULESSINGAPOREwww.sportsboules.org.sg
Pickleball [email protected]
Powerboat SINGAPOREPOWERBOATASSOCIATIONwww.singaporepowerboat.com
Rollersports ROLLERSPORTS SINGAPOREwww.inssas.org.sg
Rowing SINGAPORE ROWING ASSOCIATIONwww.rowing.org.sg
Rugby SINGAPORERUGBYUNIONwww.sru.org.sg
Sailing SINGAPORE SAILING FEDERATIONwww.sailing.org.sg
Sepak Takraw SINGAPORESEPAKTAKRAWFEDERATION(PERSES)www.sepaktakraw.org
Shooting SINGAPORE SHOOTING ASSOCIATIONwww.singaporeshooting.org
Silat SINGAPORESILATFEDERATION(PERSISI)[email protected]
Special Olympics
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SINGAPOREwww.specialolympics.org.sg
Squash SINGAPORESQUASHRACKETSASSOCIATIONwww.ssra.org.sg
Swimming SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATIONwww.swimming.org.sg
Table Tennis SINGAPORETABLETENNISASSOCIATIONwww.stta.org.sg
Taekwondo SINGAPORETAEKWONDOFEDERATIONwww.stf.sg
Tennis SINGAPORE TENNIS ASSOCIATIONwww.singtennis.org.sg
Triathlon TRIATHLON ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPOREwww.triathlonsingapore.org
Underwater Sports
[email protected] /[email protected]
Volleyball VOLLEYBALLASSOCIATIONOFSINGAPOREwww.vas.org.sg
Water Ski SINGAPOREWATERSKI&WAKEBOARD FEDERATIONwww.swwf.org.sg
Weightlifting SINGAPORE WEIGHTLIFTING FEDERATIONwww.swf.org.sg
Weiqi SINGAPORE WEIQI [email protected]
Wrestling WRESTLING FEDERATION OF SINGAPOREwww.swf.org.sg
Wu shu SINGAPOREWUSHUDRAGON&LIONDANCEFEDERATIONwww.wuzong.com
Xiangqi SINGAPORE XIANGQI GENERAL ASSOCIATIONwww.sixga.org
64 NATIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS
Photo by Chan Bin Kan/Action Images
Photo by Zainal Halim/Action Images
The Singapore Sports Council│28 27│The Singapore Sports Council
HIGH PERFORMANCE SUPPORTSSC provides high performance
support to elite athletes on both the
Youth Development and National
Squads through the Singapore
Sports Institute (SSI). The SSI offers a
comprehensive suite of professional
services and support to athletes, coaches
and officials in the following areas:
OlympicPathwayProgramme(OPP)Getting to the Olympic Games takes
more than simple talent. It takes
discipline, faith and lots of long-term
support. The OPP is a long-term
programme specifically targeted at
Singaporean athletes with the potential
to win medals at the Olympic Games.
The OPP is an offshoot of Project 0812,
which was first announced in late 2006.
Following the success of the Women’s
Table Tennis at the Beijing Olympic
Games in 2008, OPP was set up to
extend support for athletes looking to
medal at 2012.
The programme now includes athletes
expected to peak in 2016 in Rio de
Janeiro as well. Through the OPP
funding, elite athletes are provided with
extra training support to take part in
additional international competitions.
The funds are also used to retain elite
coaching and acquire equipment.
Eleven athletes in six sports are
currently receiving support through
OPP. The six sports are: badminton,
fencing, sailing, shooting, swimming
and table tennis. The qualifying criteria
are different for each sport. Athletes on
the OPP are not guaranteed a spot at
the Olympics.
SportsScienceandMedicine(SSM)SSC’s SSM optimises athlete
performance through the application
of the latest sports science expertise
and technology. The professional
team works with athletes on strength
& conditioning, injury prevention,
recovery and rehabilitation and major
multi sports games support, e.g. the
recovery centre.
TraininggrantsTraining grants help defray the cost of
training, for example, personal training
equipment and apparel, expenses for
public transport and meals. The grants
amount to a maximum of S$7,000 per
year for top individual athletes and
S$60,000 for top teams.
GrantforLossofWages(GLOW)For working national athletes unable
to get full-pay unrecorded leave for
the period of Competition and/or
major games and Centralised training
stints, in preparation for major games/
competitions. Grants amount up to
a maximum of S$2,000 per year for a
total of six months.
Trainingand/orEducationgrantTraining and education grants in
the form of scholarships are offered
to offset costs associated with high
performance programmes and/or
skills upgrading towards athletes’
professional aspirations after sports.
Grants go up to a maximum of
S$50,000 per year for top athletes.
InsurancepoliciesThe SSC purchases insurance policies
that cover all national athletes for
injuries sustained during national
training and competition held locally or
overseas.
CoachesandTechnicalOfficialsDeveloping high performance
professionals in coaching and
officiating is not just a priority for SSC.
It’s a necessity.
We need officials and coaches who
are using the best practices and
professional training programmes
available in sport. Our professionals
must be able to coach and officiate
at the highest levels of competition –
world championships and the Olympic
Games.Photo by Chan Bin Kan
SSC File Photo
The Singapore Sports Council│30 29│The Singapore Sports Council
The National Coaching Accreditation
Programme (NCAP), as outlined in
Sports Participation, is the foundation
for developing elite coaches and
high performance directors. Coaches
who have advanced through NCAP
are eligible for our high performance
grant programmes, which will fund
specialised, sport-specific training for
elite coaches.
The High Performance Coaching
Programme is open to all NSA-funded
coaches. The programme will fund
up to S$6,000 per coach annually
to pursue professional upgrading
opportunities internationally. To date,
coaches from athletics, badminton,
basketball, table-tennis, sailing and
swimming have received funding
through the programme.
The Elite Coaching Programme
prepares High Performance Coaches
to take on top leadership roles in
sports coaching. These coaches,
in conjunction with the NSAs, will
identify areas in the sport that need
improvement and structure. Coaches
will be sent for a two-year programme
and return to assume leadership roles
such as Head Coach or Technical
Director in the future. Coaches in the
Elite Programme will be funded up to
S$15,000 annually for two years.
We also have made great strides in
the development of officials. A total of
15 technical officials were organised
and selected by their International
Federations to officiate at the Beijing
2008 Olympic and Paralymic Games.
Having international class officials
enhances the prestige of Singapore,
the status of the respective sports
associations and, most importantly, the
standards of play.
CAREERANDEDUCATIONPROGRAMMESSSC believes in looking at the long-
term holistic development of athletes
during and after their active years of
sports competition. We believe that a
career in sports does not come at the
expense of a career after sports. SSC
and its partners provide the following
services to athletes to achieve this
objective:
• TheProgrammeforAthlete’sCareer
and Education (PACE) is an initiative
by the Singapore National Olympic
Council supported by SSC where
we work with an external partner
(Adecco) to provide career advice,
interview training, resume writing
advice and job placement services.
• SSChiresexternalvendorsto
conduct career education and
counselling to balance studies and
sports. Courses include personal
finance and time management. We
help job match athletes with our
network of corporate partners and
also provide letters of support for
athletes applying to Institutes of
Higher Learning.
Photo by Lawrence Goh
The Singapore Sports Council│32 31│The Singapore Sports Council
SPORTSINDUSTRYSingapore may be a small city, but the
SSC has a big vision for sports industry
in the coming years. As we continue
to put this vision into action, we will
transform the way Singaporeans value
sport, and we will transform the way
the sporting world sees Singapore.
Change is already underway. Over
the past few years, we have set new
benchmarks in service excellence and
innovation in the development of new
sports infrastructure, events, business
and human capabilities. This focus on
investment is good for sports, and it’s
good for the nation.
Besides boosting momentum in sports
participation and sports excellence,
our success in developing sports
industry will enhance Singapore’s
position as a global city. Equally
important, it will create significant
employment opportunities, in both
short-term jobs and long-term career
pathways.
Moving forward, the SSC will develop
the entire value chain of sports
industry, and continue to invest in
infrastructure and capabilities, with a
view towards a self-sustaining sports
industry ecosystem.
Increasingly, people in Singapore are
working in sports. Some work for the
SSC. Some people work in athlete
development, some coach sports
lessons and some train the coaches.
Some work as lifeguards, trainers and
managers at the thousands of sporting
facilities across the country. Some
work for sports products retailers
and manufacturers. Some people run
events management companies, some
work in sports media companies, some
work in sports marketing companies
and some work in international sports
organisations.
Wherever you want to be in sports,
that’s where we will be, too.
SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURESingaporeSportsHub: Scheduled
to open in April 2014, the Sports
Hub will be a fully integrated sports,
entertainment and lifestyle hub. The
Sports Hub was financed through an
innovative Private-Public Partnership
financial model, which subsequently
won several international awards.
The Singapore Sports Hub is expected
Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images
Photo by John Heng
The Singapore Sports Council│34 33│The Singapore Sports Council
to be the world’s only land and
water sports centre, with integrated
programming and opportunities for
elite athletes and recreational-leisure
participants. Located near the Marina
Bay financial district, the Sports Hub
will feature the following facilities:
•Anew55,000-seatNationalStadium
with a retractable roof, individually
cooled seats and 80 hospitality
suites. The stadium field will be
capable of hosting international
football, rugby, athletics and cricket.
•A6,000-seatindoor,world-class
Aquatic Centre (3,000 permanent
seats, with the capability to 6,000
through temporary seating).
Adjacent to the centre will be a
roof-top leisure water facility for
relaxation and play.
•A3,000-seatmulti-purpose,indoor
arena, scalable and flexible in layout.
•AnoutdoorWaterSportsCentre
will host canoeing, kayaking, rowing,
dragon boating, wakeboarding and
waterskiing.
•Arefurbished12,000-seatSingapore
Indoor Stadium.
•41,000sqmofcommercialspacefor
food and beverage.
•ASportsInformationandResource
Centre with a Sports Library, Sports
Museum and a 300-seat black box
theatre.
•Afully-equippedtrainingspacefor
international teams in specific sports.
For teams coming to train, settling
in at the Sports Hub will be as easy
as turning on the lights.
The Sports Hub is being developed
next to Marina Bay and is poised to ride
on the wave of exciting developments
in the district such as the Marina Bay
Sands, Marina Barrage, Singapore Flyer
and the floating platform.
SportsandRecreationCentres(SRC)SSC continues to advance the design
and development of community
sports and recreation centres across
Singapore. The Pasir Ris Sports &
Recreation Centre, our newest SRC,
opened its doors to the public in mid-
2011. Pasir Ris represents the latest
generation of SRC being developed
by SSC. Built to universal design
principles, Pasir Ris also is the first SRC
designed to limit our carbon footprint.
It has environmentally friendly and
energy-saving features such as a
rainwater-harvesting system to irrigate
surrounding plant life; vertical ‘green’
walls and landscaping to reduce
ambient heat and provide shading;
and solar panels for energy generation.
Every centimetre of the roof is covered
with the solar panels, which can
generate enough electricity to power
50% of the annual energy consumption
of the sports hall.
Equally important, the SRC dovetails
with the overall commitment by
the Pasir Ris community to provide
residents with opportunities to enjoy a
healthy sporting lifestyle. Pasir Ris Park
is a hotspot for water sports, cycling
and in-line skating enthusiasts. For
younger adventurers, the Children’s
Playground continues to entice with
attractive features like the giant
space-nets, cableways and innovative
play stations. Pasir Ris also recently
launched a 1.1km cycling track to
cater to its broad base of cycling fans.
Towards the end of 2012, residents
can look forward to a 13.3km cycling
network.
SPORTS EVENTSIn the past few years, Singapore has
earned a reputation for providing
© 31/10/2011 All Rights Reserved - Arup Sport - DP Architects - Singapore Sports Hub
SSC File Photo
The Singapore Sports Council│36 35│The Singapore Sports Council
service excellence and innovation in
events hosting. We hold a lot of events:
more than 40 marquee events and
an average of 600-plus community
sporting events annually.
From the high-minded inaugural
Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games
to the professional Formula 1 night
race, Singapore has delivered first-
class events as promised. In golf, the
best players on the planet have come
to play at the Barclays Singapore
Open and the HSBC Women’s
Champions events in Singapore. In
2010, the Singapore-based Asian
Tour introduced the Handa Classic
Singapore to showcase many of Asia’s
top golfers, including Singapore’s
Mardan Marmat and Lam Chih Bing.
Singapore has been active in
developing marquee events in other
sports as well. Launched in Singapore
five years ago, the Aviva Ironman 70.3
has drawn competitors and spectators
from around the world. OCBC Cycle
Singapore, another homegrown event,
continues to grow in prestige and
popularity.
Among our new event launches was
the Standard Chartered Marathon
Singapore (SCMS) in 2010 – a
three-route race that captured the
imagination of some 60,000 registrants.
The different routes took runners
through the iconic neighbourhoods
of Singapore: Sentosa, Orchard Road,
Chinatown, Marina Bay and East Coast
Park. The marathon was a convincing
win with sponsors who contributed
more funding to the SCMS than any
other running event.
“The race is very much part of the
Standard Chartered brand promise to
be here for good,” says Ray Ferguson,
the bank’s Regional Chief Executive,
Singapore & South-East Asia. “The
passion, courage and determination of
the runners at our marathon resonate
strongly with what we stand for as an
organisation.”
Singapore remains one of the busiest
cities in Asia for sports business.
While the international fanfare of the
Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games
has subsided, the local sports sector
continues to grow. The Lion City
Cup, one of the oldest youth football
tournaments in the region, reignited
the Singapore 2010 spirit with a host
of top-class youth teams from around
the globe through the support of
title sponsor Canon and coverage by
StarHub cable television.
Photo By Mindy Tan/Action Images Photo By Mindy Tan/Action Images
The Singapore Sports Council│38 37│The Singapore Sports Council
“In line with our corporate philosophy
of kyosei, we are excited to play a part
in the development of our youth sports
teams. We recognise that they will be
our future pride and we want to be a
part of their journey,” says Andrew Koh,
Senior Director and General Manager
of Consumer Imaging & Information
Division, Canon Singapore.
In July 2011, Mission Foods chose
Singapore as its springboard into
Asia for its wraps and tortillas when it
signed on as title sponsor for the World
Netball Championships. The netball
championships were exactly what the
global company had in mind—a cost-
effective, marketing platform to create
massive brand awareness for foods
typically bought by women, not only in
Singapore but throughout Asia.
Come December 2011, Michezo Group
will hold the Singapore Women’s
Tennis Exhibition, featuring six of the
world’s top players. Headlining the
event will be new US Open champion
Samanth Stosur. There are hopes as
well for a World Tennis Association
tournament in late 2011 or early 2012.
The last time Singapore hosted a
high-level tennis tournament was the
Heineken Open in 2000, which was
the equivalent of an Association of
Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour
250 event. Michezo also has raised the
possibility of opening a tennis academy
in Singapore in 2012.
Next year, Singaporeans can look
forward to the inaugural Singapore
Games. Ten sports will be featured
at the Singapore Games: Athletics,
Badminton, Basketball, Bowling,
Dragon Boating, Football, Netball,
Sepak Takraw, Swimming and
Table Tennis. Along with the Inter-
Constituency Games, which have now
been renamed the Community Games;
Singaporeans can brace themselves
for a seven-month sporting festival
right at the doorsteps of their own
neighbourhood.
With the focus at Singapore Games
on high-level participation, elite
athletes will not be eligible to take
part. However they can lend their
support and guidance to athletes
representing their estates. Co-
organised by the People’s Association
and the Singapore Sports Council,
the two-week long biennial games
will bring together inter-constituency
communities, families, neighborhoods
and schools from all ages, races and
estates.
Apart from encouraging a healthy
and sporting lifestyle, the Singapore
Games will forge a more integrated
sense of community bonding, ignited
through our passion for sport.
SPORTSBUSINESSSingapore is home to many sports
marketing companies doing business
in Asia, including companies such
as Global Brands Group, MP & Silva,
Football Media Services, Dentsu,
SportFive, IMG and World Sports
Group. Many sports products
Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images
Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images
The Singapore Sports Council│40 39│The Singapore Sports Council
companies also have significant
activities in Singapore. Nike Inc has its
Southeast Asian regional headquarters
and distribution centre in Singapore
while its affiliate Converse has its
global trading operations based in
the country as well. Life Fitness, which
makes fitness equipment, runs its Asian
Design Centre in Singapore – its only
significant R&D centre outside of the
United States.
Special Olympics Asia Pacific is
now based in Singapore, and the
International Table Tennis Federation
moved its Asia Pacific marketing
headquarters to Singapore from
Beijing in early 2011. ITTF will also
coordinate all its international
marketing operations from Singapore.
In October 2011, Singapore hosted the
Volkswagen Women’s World Cup, and
ITTF is committed to holding more
world-class table tennis tournaments in
Singapore as part of its investment in
the city.
We also have seen promising results in
sports media as well. Our Sports Media
Fund, a joint venture with the Media
Development Authority, triggered the
creation of 592 hours of programming
in 2009. For the Singapore Asian Youth
Games 2009, more than 120 hours
of programming were produced.
For S$1 of support from the Sports
Media Fund, the sports and broadcast
companies pumped in another S$2 of
media business spending. It’s worth
noting that the fund does more than
create new content. Projects financed
in part through the fund generate new
work and much-needed experience
for aspiring sports cameramen,
photographers, sportscasters, sound
technicians, film & video editors and
writers.
2011 1. AVIVA Ironman 70.3 Singapore 2011
2. Singapore ATP Challenger 2011
3. OCBC Cycle Singapore 2011
4. National Cheerleading Championship 2011
5. 44th Singapore International (Bowling) Open 2011
6. National School Games 2011
7: Mission Foods World Netball Championships 2011 Singapore
8. World Canoe Marathon Championship 2011
9. Volkswagon 2011 Women’s World Cup Singapore
10. Singapore Cricket Club 20/20 Cricket Tournament 2011
11. CIMB Singapore Women’s Squash Masters 2011
12. Z1 Pro-Fencing 2011
13. Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby Sevens 2011
14. Mettle Games 2011
15. Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2011
YEAR EVENTS
2010 1. National School Games 2010
2. Game On with Milo (2010)
3. NBA Basketball Without Borders2010
4. National Cheerleading Championship 2010
5. HSBC Asian 5 Nations 2010
6. Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games
7. Z1 Pro-Fencing 2010
8. Mettle Games 2010
9. Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby Sevens 2010
10. Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2010
YEAR EVENTS
Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images
The Singapore Sports Council│42 41│The Singapore Sports Council
THE HISTORY OF SPORTING SINGAPORE
HUMANCAPABILITYDEVELOPMENTAs the sports sector grows, so will
the demand for skilled professionals
experienced in sports. To develop our
human capital, we have adopted a four-
pronged approach by:
•Anticipatingdemandforsports
industry jobs in view of major sports
projects that will impact manpower
needs
• Ensuringanadequatesupplyof
manpower with the right skill sets
and competencies to come into the
market at the right time
•Creatingjobs
•Continuouslyupgradingexisting
personnel in sports industry
As part of our commitment to
raising the standards in the sporting
professions, we introduced in 2011
the National Standards for Youth
Sports. Designed to protect the
rights of youth playing sports, the
standards were developed for use
by coaches and instructors, officials,
administrators, sponsors, media,
parents, guardians and educators. At
the heart of the National Standards
was the unequivocal belief that every
youth should be given the opportunity
to have a positive experience in sport.
Long term, the National Standards for
Youth Sports will have a tremendous
influence on the sporting professions.
At the same time, SSC has worked
with Institutes of Higher Learning to
ensure we have people with the right
skills to do the work when we need
them. In 1999 Singapore had only
one institution offering four sports-
related courses. Today we have 10
institutions with more than 34 sports-
related courses, offering certificates,
diplomas and undergrad and graduate
courses. And this is what we want more
of – because demand for competent,
capable sports personnel is going to
keep growing.
SSC also is collaborating with fellow
government agencies such as the
Workforce Development Agency,
the Economic Development Board
and Media Development Authority
to develop manpower capabilities,
employment opportunities and
professional expertise. We have signed
MOUs with tertiary schools to create
more opportunities for students to
learn about the business of sports.
For Singaporeans working and
investing in sports, it’s a big universe.
As our long-term strategies begin
to produce results, the Sporting
Singapore universe is going to get a lot
bigger.
Photo by Jere ChongPhoto by Jere Chong
The Story of Sporting Singapore│44 43│The Story of Sporting Singapore
THE HISTORY OF SPORTING SINGAPORETHE STORY OF SPORTING SINGAPOREFROM THE PAST, COMES OURFUTURESingapore has always had a sporting
spirit, a sporting life. We have
celebrated sporting heroes in every
decade. Among the names resonating
from our past: Tan Howe Liang, C.
Kunalan, Chee Swee Lee, K. Jayamani,
Junie Sng, Ang Peng Siong, Joscelin
Yeo—and our footballers from the days of
the Malaysia Cup and the Kallang Roar.
Thus, when the Committee on Sporting
Singapore (CoSS) produced its 40
recommendations on the creation of ‘A
Sporting Singapore’ in 2001, it looked
deeply into our past even as it looked
into our future. CoSS recognised
the profound impact that our early
champions had on our community
bonding and our national pride. These
athletes were driven by passion alone,
with little official support.
However the CoSS marked a tectonic
shift in the government’s position on
sport. CoSS forecasted in no uncertain
terms what sport could do for us, not
just as individuals but as communities
and as a nation. With CoSS, the
government recognised that a new
century was an opportunity to recreate
the sports paradigm for Singapore.
CoSS boldly called for extraordinary
levels of policy support, programming
and funding from a whole-of-
government platform. As the operating
arm of the Ministry of Community
Development, Youth and Sports
(MCYS), Singapore Sports Council
(SSC) was the natural choice as the lead
driver of the CoSS recommendations.
THE GENESISThe authors—all committed members
of Singapore’s sporting fraternity—
thus set in motion a long-term change
in the way Singaporeans perceived,
played and enjoyed sports. With their 10-
year forecasts, they were literally planting
the seeds of a new sporting culture for
the good of the nation. They believed
unequivocally that a sporting culture
could make Singapore a better country,
a better place to live, work and play.
CoSS called for sports infrastructure
such as a dedicated sports school,
new generation sports & recreation
centres, a sharing of sporting resources
by all stakeholders and a modern
sports complex capable of hosting
world-class events and serving as an
icon for the country’s sporting dreams.
CoSS addressed the need for a well-
capitalised sports business sector to
provide investment and viable career
pathways (and not just entry-level jobs)
to help finance the growth of sports
over the long term.
The report set performance targets
for both sports participation and
sport excellence. CoSS stressed the
need for consistent funding for our
National Sports Associations (NSAs),
emphasising good governance
in financial management and
transparency in athlete development
and selection policies. Strong,
professional NSAs could help
drive sustainable growth in high
participation and performance along
with sports business through the
creation of sporting events.
With such a broad agenda, CoSS
pushed for a massive upgrade in
funding support, beginning with an
initial commitment of S$500 million for
the first five years and a subsequent
investment of S$350 million until fiscal
year-end 2011. The funding advocated
by CoSS was never simply about
chasing medals. It was about initiating
cultural change in our country.
Sports Museum File Photo SSC File Photo
The Story of Sporting Singapore│46 45│The Story of Sporting Singapore
ONWARD, WE GOIn late 2006, then-Parliamentary
Secretary Teo Ser Luck from MCYS
formed the Sporting Culture Committee
(SCC) and conducted a de facto mid-
term review of how far we had come.
By then, the landscape was already
very different. The Singapore Sports
School was welcoming its third tranche
of students, and other schools were
changing their attitudes towards sport.
The Ministry of Education (MOE)
had embarked on a dual use scheme
with the Singapore Sports Council to
share sports field and internal sports
halls. SSC also was working on similar
schemes with National Parks Board
and Public Utilities Board to provide
affordable access for the public at
large to play more sports.
In 2007, SSC and MOE began
a partnership to expand the
opportunities available to students.
Not only did the Sports Education
Programme (SEP) strengthen the
working relationship between the two
government bodies, it opened the
doors for more than 250,000 children
and youth annually to play more sports
at school. SEP would also become an
important vehicle by which SSC could
elevate standards for coaching and
sports safety in the industry.
In May 2008, when the Sporting
Culture Committee released its 23
recommendations, Singapore was on
its way to winning its second Olympic
medal as well as its first gold medal at
the Paralympic Games—and, indeed,
the first gold medal ever won by an
Asian at the Paralympics. As a result of
our improved development pathways
for athletes, we also were qualifying
more athletes and winning more
medals at all the Major Games than
ever before in our history. The NSAs
were seeing growth in participation,
which in turn fuelled their high
performance plans.
Early in 2008, MCYS had chosen the
design and developer to build the
Singapore Sports Hub on the site of
National Stadium. Capable of hosting
international-class athletics, cricket,
football and rugby, the Sports Hub
would be a critical component of
Singapore’s plans to become the
leading sports city in Asia.
A PLACE FOR HEROESUnique in the world as a land and water
sports leisure complex, the Sports Hub
would revitalise the Kallang Riverside
by attracting new investment by
corporates and consumers. The close
proximity to the Marina Bay commercial
district would add to its appeal as a
regional sporting destination. Equally
important, said then Minister for
Community Development, Youth and
Sports, Dr Vivian Balakrishan looking at
our aspirations in sport, the Singapore
Sports Hub would be “a place for
heroes.”
To maximise the conversion of athlete
potential into performance, SCC
recommended the creation of a world-
class sports institute to be housed at
the planned Singapore Sports Hub.
It would provide the best in training,
competition venues and performance
services.
From 2008, MOE launched its first
Junior Sports Academies to provide
talented young athletes in specific
sports with opportunities to be
mentored by quality coaches over
a multi-year period. The first Junior
Academies focused on athletics,
badminton, swimming, table tennis and
wu shu. Subsequently, MOE added
Junior Academies in fencing, football,
gymnastics and shooting and three
Youth Academies for older students.
In 2009, Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong opened the Sengkang Sports
and Recreation Centre—the first of
a new generation of sports facility
planned by SSC to better serve the
people of Singapore. Praised for SSC File Photo
Photo by Aundry Gan
The Story of Sporting Singapore│48 47│The Story of Sporting Singapore
performance programming. Through
the use of multi-year planning, the
NSAs aimed to enhance the progress
being made by our athletes.
By 2010, another recommendation
by CoSS and SCC had seen fruition.
Several sports-related companies had
Construction Authority. Since then,
Sengkang SRC has become a town
gathering place where people of all
ages and abilities can socialise and
enjoy a sporting lifestyle. Annual
visitorship at SSC facilities hit a peak of
12.9 million at year-end March 2010.
Later in 2009, the SSC called on the
NSAs to develop multi-year spending
plans and strategies for sport and
athlete development. With help from
the SSC performance managers, the
NSAs began producing integrated
frameworks for high participation,
talent identification and high
set up shop in Singapore, establishing
a sports ecosystem. Nike, Converse,
MP & Silva and Life Fitness all had
significant operations in the city as
did World Sports Group and ESPN.
The Special Olympics already had
an office in Singapore as well and,
in late 2010, the International Table
Tennis Federation announced plans to
relocate its Asia Pacific headquarters
from Beijing and its international
marketing operations.
INSPIRING THE NATIONAnticipating the end of the CoSS
funding in 2011, the Sporting Culture
Committee had advocated additional
financial support between 2011-2015
to maintain growth in our inclusive
sporting community, to develop a
dynamic sports industry to generate
economic opportunities and to groom
our own sporting heroes to inspire the
nation.
Like CoSS, SCC also called for
greater inter-agency cooperation
to develop Singapore’s sporting
youth. In May 2010, MOE unveiled
a new development framework for
physical education and sports, a
sign of its deeper commitment to
youth sports. In addition to the focus
on talent development through the
sports academies, MOE introduced
new initiatives in mass participation
programmes and in specialised sports
programmes. It also created a new
Physical Education and Sports Teacher
Academy (PESTA) to build a strong
corps of quality physical education
teachers and instructors.
Every recommendation implemented
as a result of CoSS and SCC would be
put to the test as the country prepared
to host the Singapore 2010 Youth
Olympic Games. With less than two
its inclusivity and universal design
principles, the venue was the first
collaboration between SSC and the
People’s Association.
The shared property received the
“Universal Design Award for the Built
Environment” from the Building and
Photo by Alphonsus Chern/SPH-SYOGOC
The Story of Sporting Singapore│50 49│The Story of Sporting Singapore
Index in December 2010 revealed
that 57% of all people surveyed were
playing sports or doing a physical
activity at least once a week—up 11
points from 2009.
As a result of the work through CoSS
and SCC, our sporting culture in the
past decade has undergone a massive
transformation. Sporting Singapore
has good reason to be proud of its
accomplishments—and there is more
to come.
SSC and the People’s Association
are already working to host the
first Singapore National Games in
September 2012. Recommended by the
Sporting Culture Committee report,
the Singapore National Games will
drive excitement and enthusiasm over
local sporting talent and events. At the
same time, the National Games will
help develop our events management
expertise and experienced volunteers
in addition to providing more
opportunities for corporate sponsors.
Nonetheless, the world as we know it
is changing rapidly, both at home and
overseas. A strong sporting culture
can help us navigate the challenges
to come. We must not take advances
made in the past 10 years for granted.
Sporting culture must be seeded with
new ideas, impetus and investment.
Most recently, SSC launched a ground-
breaking new programme to train
preschool teachers and caregivers
in Fundamental Movement Skills for
children as young as 18 months.
NURTURINGASPORTINGLANDSCAPEIt is critical that we engage people
beyond our sporting community in the
Vision 2030 process if we are to use
sports as means to better the lives of all
Singaporeans. Everyone has a sporting
spirit, a sporting life.
Thus, Vision 2030 is neither a beginning
nor an end for Sporting Singapore.
It is a renewal of our government’s
commitment to sport. Moreover, it
is a clarion call for our population, as
individuals and communities, to make
their voices heard on where we need to
go in future. What should our sporting
landscape look like to best serve
Singapore and Singaporeans?
Sport is not an end in itself. Sport is
one of Singapore’s best strategies for
nation-building. Vision 2030 is about
Real People, True Sports. Tenacious and
resilient, passionate and compassionate,
and always inclusive society with
opportunities for everyone. Vision 2030
is living better through sports.
years of prep time, Singapore 2010
opened to exuberant fanfare and
international acclaim on 14 August
2010.
Some 3,600 athletes from 205 National
Olympic Committees took part in 26
Olympic sports as competitor—and
in a series of cultural and education
programmes as friends. MOE had
incorporated Olympic Education
modules into the school curriculum
in 2009 to impress the values of
Excellence, Friendship and Respect
upon local student athletes and the
general population. Some 20,000 local
and international volunteers worked
round the clock to ensure the success
of the games.
People snapped up tickets to watch
and cheer for their local heroes and
international friends. Singapore’s
athletes won two silver medals in
swimming and table tennis—and five
bronze medals, two in taekwondo,
one in archery and one in windsurfing;
however it was the third-place finish by
our Young Cubs in football that delivered
the most potent reminder of how sport
can ignite and unite a nation. People
across Singapore celebrated the Cubs’
bronze medals with gusto and pride.
THE GROWTH OF A SPORTINGCULTUREOur enthusiasm for sports didn’t
evaporate with the close of Singapore
2010. Indeed, the National Sports Photo by Tilt Pte Ltd
Milestones│52 51│Milestones
MILESTONES
1973July:National Stadium opens seven
years after Minister for Social Affairs
Othman Wok drove in the first pile on
December 7, 1966. Built at a cost of $50
million, National Stadium is a new icon
for the country. The complex covers
200 acres and can seat 55,000 people.
“We are a nation of predominantly
young people. Young and growing
people must have facilities to develop
their bodies and minds. Sport,
therefore, must be an essential feature
of our national way of life,” says Mr
Wok.
Singapore hosts the 7th Southeast
Asian Peninsular Games, with seven
nations participating in 16 sports. In
medal count, Singapore ranks 2nd
with 45 gold medals compared with
Thailand’s 47 medals. In total medals,
Singapore places 1st with 140 medals,
compared to Malaysia’s 115 medals.
Singapore subsequently hosted the
12th Southeast Asian Games in 1983
(as a substitute for Brunei, which was
preparing for independence) and again
in 1993.
October:The Singapore Sports
Council is formed through an
amalgamation of the existing National
Sports Promotion Board and the
National Stadium Corporation.
1977First fitness park opens at MacRitchie
Reservoir.
1978Singapore introduces the National
Survival Swimming Award Scheme,
which will be the foundation for learn-
to-swim programmes for the next three
decades.
SSC introduces Sports Awards for
sportsboy and sportsgirl. Sports
Awards for Sportsman, Sportswoman
and Coach had been introduced in
1967.
1982January: The National Physical Fitness
Award Scheme (NAPFA) is launched as
a standardised assessment of overall
fitness for the general population and
to stimulate interest in physical fitness.
Swimmer Ang Peng Siong achieves
the world’s fastest time for the 50m
freestyle event.
1983Singapore stages 12th Southeast Asian
Games.
1987SSC implements the Sports Excellence
Assistance Programme (SEAP).
1989December: Singapore Indoor Stadium
is officially opened by then Prime
Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Designed by
Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, the
stadium was developed at a cost of
S$90 million.
1991Singapore hosts the World FIQ Bowling
Championship for the first time.
1992Implementation of Sports Excellence
Assistance Programme for Schools
(SEAPS).
Launch of the National Healthy
Lifestyle Campaign by PM Goh Chok
Tong.
1993Singapore stages the 17th Southeast
Asian Games. Fourteen year-old
Joscelin Yeo makes a big-splash debut
at the Games by winning nine gold
medals and smashing five records
in the 50m free, 200m breast, 400m
medley relay, 100m butterfly and 100m
breaststroke.
Sports Museum File Photo
Sports Museum File Photo
Sports Museum File Photo
Sports Museum File Photo
Sports Museum File Photo
Sports Museum File Photo
Milestones│54 53│Milestones
1994October:At the Asian Games in
Hiroshima, 26 year-old Ben Tan
produces Singapore’s first gold medal
in sailing. The partnership of Siew
Shaw Her and Charles Lim also wins
a silver in sailing. Joscelin Yeo sets a
new National record in the 100 metre
butterfly with a time of 1.01.62, and
picks up a bronze medal. Bowler Grace
Young also wins a bronze medal. A
third bronze is picked up by the men’s
team in sepak takraw. Women in the
martial arts also take bronze medals:
Tan Mui Buay and Chiew Hui Yan in
separate wu shu events.
1996SSC launches Sports-for-All campaign
and inaugurates the Sport for Life Walk
test.
Opening of the First Regional Sports
and Fitness Centre (RSFC) at Clementi.
1998The Singapore Mountaineering Team
conquers Mt Everest.
The Singapore National Football Team
wins its first international tournament,
the Tiger Cup, organized by the
ASEAN Football Federation (AFF).
December: Sixteen-year-old Joan
Huang Shiqi partners Naomi Tan, in the
women’s 420 Dinghy Class, to win the
Gold Medal at the 13th Asian Games in
Thailand.
1999SSC and General Administration of
Sports from China sign MOU to share
sports knowledge and best practices.
The late Wong Peng Soon, world-
class badminton player, is voted as the
Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century by
the Singapore Press.
The Singapore Mountaineering Team
makes a successful expedition to
Antarctica.
2000SPEX 21 was implemented to set out
strategic plans and directions for high
performance athletes and sports in
Singapore with the aim to raise the
overall standards of sports and the
competitive spirit of Singaporeans.
2001April:Singapore kegler Jesmine Ho,
wins the Women’s title at the inaugural
World Ranking Masters Championship.
April: Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan
launches Team Singapore, the united
identity of elite athletes, coaches and
officials from Singapore, to represent
the country in major multi-sport Games
and international competitions. Team
Singapore is characterised with three
core attributes: Pride, Performance
and Perseverance. Not only will the
new brand inspire future generations
of competitive athletes to excel in
sports, Team Singapore will galvanise
and connect the community overall in
participation in sports.
June: After six months of a
comprehensive study of the local
sporting scene, the Committee on
Sporting Singapore (CoSS) tables
a report that will change the way
Singaporeans perceive, play and
enjoy sports. Emphasising the need
for a holistic approach to sports
development, the report delivers
recommendations and strategies to
grow participation, excellence and
business. Moreover, the report argues
that sports can help build the nation
by developing the following: national
pride and international status; a
healthy, resilient population; a vibrant
society and economy; community
bonding across our multicultural
society; and friendships with other
nations.
2002May: Jennifer Tan wins the Ladies’
Masters title at the 2nd World Ranking
Masters Championship, defeating
teammate Jesmine Ho.
July: At the age of 19, Li Li becomes
Singapore’s youngest Commonwealth
Games gold medalist when she
clinches the Ladies’ Badminton Singles
title at the 17th Games in Manchester.
December: Remy Ong, National
Bowling Captain, becomes Singapore’s
only second male multiple-gold
medalist in the Asian Games’ 51-year
history when he wins golds for the
Singles, Trios and Masters events. He
also tops the All-Events at the 14th
Asian Games in Busan (South Korea).
2004January: Singapore’s first school
dedicated to sports and education,
the Singapore Sports School opens
its doors to rising competitive
athletes entering Secondary 1. The
school offers specialised training in
eight sports academies: athletics,
badminton, bowling, football, golf,
netball, swimming and table tennis.
Sports Museum File Photo
Sports Museum File Photo
Sports Museum File Photo
Sports Museum File Photo
Sports Museum File Photo
Milestones│56 55│Milestones
March: Stanley Tan is the first
Singaporean sailor to *qualify on merit*
for an Olympic Games. Competing
at a World Championship in Turkey,
he locks in a slot for the Athens 2004
Games. Stanley previously competed
at the Sydney Games in 2000 on a wild
card entry.
April:Oon Jin Teik joins the
Singapore Sports Council as Chief
Executive Officer. A former Olympian
swimmer, Mr Oon is recruited from
the private sector with a mandate to
professionalise the management and
operations of the SSC and the national
sports associations.
August:At the Athens Olympic
Games, Li Jiawei narrowly misses a
bronze medal in table tennis, and
Ronald Susilo defeats World No.1 Lin
Dan from China early in the games.
Even without a medal, Singapore
celebrates their sporting achievements.
2005National Sports Survey shows that 48%
of all Singaporeans are now taking
part in sports at least once a week,
compared with only 38% in 2001 when
CoSS report was first released.
July: Singapore hosts the 117th
Session of the International Olympic
Committee, and the world watches
as IOC delegates cast their votes
on the location of the 2012 Summer
Olympic Games. London wins the vote,
and Singapore wins accolades for its
hosting of the historic gathering.
December: Team Singapore sets new
records for sports achievement at the
23rd Southeast Asian Games in Manila.
The team wins a staggering total of 129
medals, including 42 golds, 32 silvers
and 55 bronze. Singapore’s previous
best medal count was 30 golds.
Moreover, 367 athletes qualified for the
Games, our third largest contingent.
Singapore’s athletes brought home
medals in 21 sports from total of 33
sports. Two young swimmers make their
debut at the Games: Tao Li (four golds,
one bronze) and Quah Ting Wen (one
silver, two bronze). Team Singapore
also claims the men’s gold in the first
triathlon event of the SEA Games and a
bronze in the women’s event.
2006September: The Ministry of
Community Development, Youth and
Sports (MCYS) establishes the Sporting
Culture Committee, which will be
chaired by Parliamentary Secretary Teo
Ser Luck. The committee comprises
people from the public and private
sectors who share a passion for sports
and a strong belief about the benefits
of sports to the individual, community
and nation.
October: Remy Ong wins the World
Men’s Singles and All-event titles at the
World Bowling Championship in Korea.
Remy delivers a top-class performance
in singles with a 1524 set to break the
existing record by 43 pins. Ong also
captures the all events title with a 5,566
total.
December: Singapore has a record-
breaking season, winning more medals
at the Asian Games than ever before in
our history. In Doha, Team Singapore
wins eight gold medals, seven silvers
and 12 bronzes for a grand total of 27
medals—a significant increase over the
17 medals in Busan in 2002. Singapore
Sailing outperforms across the board in
Doha while swimming receives a strong
boost from Tao Li with a gold in the
50m butterfly. Bowling takes gold in
women’s doubles with Michelle Kwang
and Valerie Teo. Shooting and table
tennis join the list of medalists with
silvers and bronzes.
Singapore wins two gold medals at the
World Sailing Championships.
2007December: At the 24th Southeast
Asian Games in Thailand, Team
Singapore wins 127 medals: 43 golds,
43 silvers and 41 bronzes. Team
Singapore’s athletes broke four Games
records and 12 National records. We
win our second gold medal in triathlon,
thanks to Mok Ying Ren while our
paddlers, swimmers, sailors, bowlers
and gymnasts came through with
shining colours as well.
Photo By Aundry Gan
Photo By Aundry Gan
SSC File Photo
SSC File Photo
Photo By Alphonso Chan
Milestones│58 57│Milestones
2008January: Dr Vivian Balakrishnan
announces Singapore Sports Hub
Consortium as the preferred bidder
to build a new sports megaproject
on the site of the existing National
Stadium. The Singapore Sports Hub
will revitalise the Kallang Riverside
by providing a new sports-leisure-
entertainment venue for the area. Key
features of the megaproject: a 55,000-
seat stadium with retractable roof;
a 3,000-seat multi-purpose, indoor
arena; a 6,000-seat aquatics centre;
IF-sanctioned pitches for hosting
football and cricket; indoor karting
track and a refurbished Singapore
Indoor Stadium. Equally important, the
new SSH will be an important platform
in Singapore’s strategy to become a
sporting destination in Asia. The new
Sports Hub will be “a place for heroes,”
says Dr Vivian.
February:The International Olympic
Committee names Singapore as the
host of the inaugural Youth Olympic
Games, scheduled for August 2010.
April: Singapore and China upgrade
the MOU signed in 1999 to include
joint training sessions.
May: The Sporting Culture Committee
(SCC) releases its report, detailing
23 recommendations to catalyse
the growth of an inclusive sporting
community, groom our own sporting
heroes to bring home international
glory, and develop a dynamic sports
industry that generates economic
opportunities.
July: SSC launches the Let’s Play brand
to encourage people to play sports
with family and friends. The campaign
emphasises the social aspects of
playing sports rather than the pursuit
of excellence.
August: Singapore wins a silver
medal at the Beijing Olympic Games,
thanks to strong performances by
the Women’s Table Tennis Team (Li
Jiawei, Feng Tianwei and Wang Yuegu).
It is the Republic’s second medal at
an Olympic Games. It also is worth
noting that swimmer Tao Li was the
first Singaporean to ever qualify in
an Olympic swimming final, placing a
strong 5th. Moreover, Team Singapore
qualified more athletes for the Beijing
Games than ever before in our history.
Some 24 of 25 athletes qualified on
merit for the Games, with only one
athlete from athletics competing as a
wild card entry.
September: Team Singapore sends
six athletes to the Paralympic Games in
Beijing and wins one gold medal, one
silver and two bronze. Swimmer Yip
Pin Xiu triumphs in the 50m backstroke
for the gold and takes a silver in
the women’s 50m freestyle. In the
equestrian event, Laurentia Tan wins
two bronzes for Singapore.
September: Singapore hosts the first
night race in the history of the Formula
OneTM. It is a roaring success with the
international motorsports fraternity,
winning several industry awards for its
innovation. International publicity tops
$300 million.
November: Jasmine Yeong-Nathan
makes history at the 2008 AMF World
Cup when she defeated the defending
ladies champion, Australian Ann
Maree Putney, in straight games to
become the first Singaporean to win
an AMF World Cup title. Held annually,
the AMF World Cup is arguably the
world’s most prestigious bowling
tournament. Prior to Jasmine’s World
Cup win, Singapore’s best finish in the
tournament were Henry Tan and Remy
Ong’s silvers in the men’s finals in 1970
and 2002 respectively.
2009January: Singapore hosts first FINA
World Swimming Coaches Conference.
February: In a new partnership
with OCBC Bank, Singapore Sports
Council launches the first OCBC Cycle
Singapore—a high participation-
high performance event that draws
5,000 riders. The event also signals
Singapore’s expanding interest in
sports. In March 2010, some 9,000
riders would take part—in spite of the
dampening effect of the recession on
general morale.
June: Singapore and Malaysia co-host
the Men’s Junior World Hockey Cup.
June: Singapore hosts the inaugural
Asian Youth Games, with 1226 athletes
taking part in 9 sports and 90 events
over 9 days from 27 June. The games
cost an estimated $18.26 million and
are organised by the Singapore Sports
Council and Ministry of Education in
only eight months. Swimmer Quah
Ting Wen is named the female MVP
of the Games after winning four gold
medals. Combining sports and cultural
education programming, the Asian
Youth Games are a new entry-level
Games for young elite athletes.
July2009: Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong joins the official opening of
Sengkang Sports and Recreation
Centre, which represents the newest
generation of sports facility. It is
the first collaboration between
the Singapore Sports Council and
the People’s Association. The SRC
combines the best of universal design
principles with an organic respect for
the natural surrounding environment.
Located at the east bank of the
Punggol River at Sengkang Town,
the SRC won the highly coveted
“Universal Design Award for the Built
Environment” from the Building and
Construction Authority. Within the
community, the Sengkang SRC has
been positioned as a town gathering
place—a place where people of all
ages and abilities can socialise and
relax. It is the first of a new generation
of sports and recreation centres
© 31/10/2011 All Rights Reserved - Arup Sport - DP Architects - Singapore Sports Hub
Photo By Aundry Gan
SSC File Photo
Photo By Deanna Ng
Milestones│60 59│Milestones
planned by the SSC to better serve
greater Singapore.
December:Singapore’s flag soars
high at the Southeast Asian Games
in Laos, even though the Team
Singapore contingent is the smallest
and youngest in recent history.
Competing in only 18 sports, Team
Singapore brought home 98 medals
from the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane,
Laos, comprising 33 Gold, 30 Silver
and 35 Bronze. Moreover, our athletes
medaled in highly competitive sports
such as swimming, shooting, table
tennis, water polo, athletics and
football.
Singapore holds more than 700
sporting events during the year.
2010February:SSC and Standard
Chartered Bank announce partnership
to hold new marathon for Singapore
on the first weekend of December. The
new “Standard Chartered Marathon
Singapore” will have three starting
points and routes through iconic
Singapore such as Orchard Road,
Marina Bay and China Town.
March: SSC and National Water Safety
Council introduce a new national water
safety programme, SwimSafer. The
programme is designed to provide
Singaporeans, especially children, with
the necessary water safety knowledge
and a wide range of water survival
skills as a safeguard against drowning.
SwimSafer is an amalgamated and
improved version of the Learn-To-Swim
Programme (LTSP) and the National
Survival Swimming Award (NASSA). It
will teach both swimming proficiency
and water survival skills.
March: Visitorship to SSC facilities
rises to new peak of 12.97 million visits
in FY09.
May: Singapore is ranked 2nd,
only to Melbourne, in the Ultimate
Sports Cities Awards, held by the
London-based Sport Business
Group. Singapore outscored veteran
sport cities such as Sydney, London,
Shanghai and New York on the back of
its expanding track record in hosting
innovative and efficient events and the
strong lines of government support
for sport. From an original list of 2,000
cities, Singapore made its debut onto
the 25-city short list in April. In May,
it joined Melbourne on the Awards
Podium with London in 3rd place.Photo by Tilt Pte Ltd
Photo By Aundry Gan
Milestones│62 61│Milestones
May: Singapore’s women’s table
tennis team defeat China 3-1 to
claim 50th World Team Table Tennis
Championships’ women’s title in
Moscow.
June: SSC hosts the International
Cricket Council (ICC) Annual
Conference and Asian Cricket Council
(ACC) Annual General Meeting from
27 June to 1 July. All the heads of
international cricket boards are in
Singapore during the Conference,
providing opportunities to promote
Singapore’s interest in the sport and in
the international and Asian federations.
July: On the back of a recent S$2.5
million pledge by the government to
develop Satellite Centres for Sports
Development (SCSDs), centres for
wrestling, sailing and basketball begin
welcoming youth aged six to 16 years.
The new satellite centres will serve as
the launching pad for youth to learn
new sports early in life in a safe, fun and
friendly community setting. The SCSDs
are being established in existing
sports facilities such as schools,
sports and recreation centres as well
as community centres located in the
heartlands. They will be coordinated
and managed by the respective
National Sports Associations of each
sport.
August: The inaugural Youth Olympic
Games open with sophisticated
fanfare, fireworks and a touch of
fantasy, as young sailor Darren Choy
appears to walk on water to light the
Olympic Flame on 14 August. 3,600
athletes from 205 National Olympic
Committees take part in the 26
Olympic sports as competitors on and
then take part in a series of cultural
and education programmes as friends.
August:Team Singapore wins two
silver medals and five bronzes at the
Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.
August: Singapore Prime Minister
Lee Hsien Loong and President SR
Nathan are awarded the Olympic
Order in Gold from the International
Olympic Committee. Deputy DPM
and President of the Singapore
National Olympic Council, Teo Chee
Hean accepts the Olympic Cup,
which recognises an organisation’s
contribution and commitment to
Olympic values.
August: SSC and the Singapore Sports
Hub Consortium sign the contract
for the consortium to design, build,
finance and operate the Singapore
Sports Hub for the next 25 years.
Demolition of the National Stadium
will begin by October 2010, and the
new Sports Hub will open its doors by
April 2014. Said Dr Vivian Balakrishnan,
Minister for Community Development,
Youth & Sports: “As part of the Greater
Marina Bay master plan, the Singapore
Sports Hub will also contribute to
the larger government objective of
repositioning Singapore as a great
place to work, live and play.”
September: Alex Chan steps down
as Chairman of the Singapore Sports
Council, a position he has held since
2002.
October:CEO Oon Jin Teik officially
announces his resignation from SSC
after six and a half years. Under his
leadership, Mr Oon transformed
the SSC into a high performing
organization, well-grounded in public
sector corporate governance principles
with a nimble private sector mindset to
respond to changing market needs and
customer demands. Significantly, he
instituted a strong performance-based
culture in the organisation, supported
by better compensation and a working
culture that encourages collaboration
and teamwork.
October:Team Singapore
dramatically raises the bar at the Delhi
Commonwealth Games, winning 31
medals, almost double the 18-medal
achievement in Melbourne in 2006.
The athletes win a record 11 gold
medals, 11 silvers and nine bronzes.
Shooter Jasmine Ser wins the first
individual gold medal for Singapore at
the Games. By the end of the games,
she has four medals to her credit: two
golds and two silvers. Fellow shooter
Gai Bin wins a staggering seven medals
in total, clinching three gold medals,
two silvers and two bronzes. Gymnasts
David-Jonathan Chan and Lim Heem
Wei win Singapore’s first-ever medals
at the Commonwealth Games. Our
women’s table tennis team come into
the Games as the reigning champions
and prove once again why they are
a force to be reckoned. They easily
defeated the host India at the gold
medal match. In a heart-stopping,
nail-biting match, the men’s team claim
table tennis’s second gold medal,
much to the delight of the nation.
November: At the Asian Games in
Guangzhou, Team Singapore wins
a total of 17 medals, with especially
strong performances in sailing and
bowling. Additionally, with feisty
performances from Tao Li, Singapore
takes the gold medal in the women’s
50m butterfly and a silver in the 100m
butterfly. Our women’s table tennis
team claims the silver in the team
event. The sailing and bowling teams
win medals in all three colours.
December: The inaugural Standard
Chartered Marathon Singapore flags
off the first batch of international elite
runners from Orchard Road at 5:15
am. However the action is spread
throughout the morning as some
60,000 people have signed up to
take part in several different events,
including a kids dash to a 10km to an
ekiden relay to the half marathon to
the full Olympic distance. What was
notable was that these 60,000 people
registered for the Standard Chartered
Marathon Singapore in only three
weeks .
Billed as “the People’s Race”, the
Standard Chartered Marathon
Singapore is a race through the
city’s history, with three iconic routes
stretching through Chinatown, East
Coast Park, Sentosa and Marina Bay.
The SCMS is the most popular race
in Singapore, with 7,000 volunteers
supporting the runners.
Photo By STTA
Photo By Richard Seow
Photo By Chan Bin KanSSC File Photo
Milestones│64 63│Milestones
2011January:After several months
of discussion with the Singapore
government, the International Table
Tennis Federation confirms plans
to open its Asia Pacific Office and
Marketing Headquarters in Singapore
in March 2011. ITTF will close its Beijing
office. ITTF marketing director Steve
Dainton says that Singapore, “widely
recognised as a ‘hub’ of the Pacific,
is therefore a perfect for location...
for ITTF.” As part of the commitment
to Singapore, ITTF also announces
plans to hold the Volkswagen Women’s
World Cup in October in the country.
February: SSC announces that
Brigadier-General Lim Teck Yin
has been appointed as the Chief
Executive Officer of the Singapore
Sports Council, with effect from 1
April 2011. BG Lim is the current
Commandant of the SAFTI Military
Institute. The appointment of BG
Lim marks the completion of a three
month international and local search
to replace SSC’s former CEO Oon
Jin Teik. Says SSC Chairman Richard
Seow: “Sports DNA was a term used to
describe the quality we were looking
for and we are pleased to find a CEO
that has outstanding sports genes. BG
Lim’s sports experience complemented
with his demonstrated leadership
and organisational strengths will help
drive forward the vision and goals of
Sporting Singapore.”
April:The SSC begins to survey the
sporting habits of 4,500 households
across the country for the National
Sports Participation Survey (NSPS)
2011. Conducted once every five
years, the NSPS aims to measure
the degree of all participation in
sports, including spectatorship and
volunteerism at events. The survey will
comprise 57 questions and will include
9,000 individuals. “Through this new
participation survey, we can measure
and analyse how our love for sport
translates into action. It will help us
understand the impact sport has on
our diverse society and how we can
best direct our strategies to keep the
momentum growing,” said Mr Richard
Seow, Chairman, SSC. The survey will
consider new capabilities in technology
as these changes have altered the
way in which people consume sports.
To reflect current day trends and
practices, the survey will cover areas
such as electronic gaming - to include
questions on using game consoles
like the Nintendo Wii as a form of
exercise, as well as the usage of mobile
devices for the watching of sports
events and getting up-to-date sporting
information. The results of the NSPS
will be ready in the first quarter of 2012.
June:Associate Professor Fabian
Lim Chin Leong joins SSC as the
Singapore Sports Institute’s (SSI) first
Executive Director. “I am delighted
to have A/P Lim on board to realise
our SSI’s vision of providing a world-
class sports science, medicine and
technology centre for our athletes,”
said Mr Lim Teck Yin, CEO, Singapore
Sports Council. “A/P Lim’s proven
track record, extensive practical and
research experience which have led to
break-through innovations in human
performance studies, will help take
Singapore’s athlete performance to the
next level. I am confident that A/P Lim
will steer SSI to success.”
June: Standard Chartered Bank signs
a three-year S$9.75 million partnership
with SSC to remain as title sponsor
of the Standard Chartered Marathon
Singapore until 2013. Mr Ray Ferguson,
Regional Chief Executive Officer
(Singapore and Southeast Asia)
Standard Chartered Bank said, “After
a very successful inaugural SCMS in
2010, we are delighted to announce
our continued support for the event as
title sponsor. The marathon has been
a great platform for engaging all our
stakeholders, and it resonates with
what we stand for as an organisation
- courage, a ‘can-do’ attitude,
partnership, leading by example and
the determination to ‘go the distance’.
We want to be involved in the growth
of the race and help develop this
marathon as Asia’s pinnacle race
together with our partner and event
organiser, Singapore Sports Council.”
June: SSC’s new Fundamental
Movement Skills development
programme is unveiled at the official
launch of ‘FUN Start MOVE Smart!’
Fundamental Movement Skills for
Growing Active Learners - the first
installment of the series. Targeted
at childcare and preschool teachers,
‘FUN Start MOVE Smart!’, provides
principles, ideas and practices to
assist teachers in delivering motor
development activities to drive physical
literacy in children. It is the first work of
its kind to be created in Singapore. The
SSC is working on a series of resource
guides and training workshops, for
preschool teachers, parents, and
coaches of children aged two to 10.
The resource guides will provide the
information and practical know-how
needed to develop fundamental
movement skills in young children.
18July:Under a new initiative
called ‘Vision 2030’, the Ministry of SSC File Photo
SSC File Photo
Milestones│66 65│Milestones
Community Development, Youth and
Sports (MCYS) and the Singapore
Sports Council (SSC) will work with the
Public-Private-People sectors to jointly
develop proposals on how sport can
best serve Singapore’s future needs.
Sports will be used as a strategy for
individual development, community
bonding and nation building in
the next two decades. Vision 2030
will incorporate considerations
of Singapore’s future challenges,
including an ageing population;
the pressure of living in an
increasingly urban environment;
higher expectations from individuals
regarding the quality of life and
a shrinking workforce with rising
demands regarding job satisfaction.
Mr Chan Chun Sing, Acting Minister
for Community Development, Youth
& Sports, said, “Sports can be used
as a strategy for individual character
development to prepare our people
for a more complex and competitive
environment. It can be a way for busy
people to find balance; for the silver
generation to age actively; for youth
to be engaged and learn life skills. On
the community front, sports can be a
powerful tool to bond communities
across genders, races and religions.
Sports can also be used to build
national pride, unite and ignite our
people as we move forward as one.”
25July: SwimSafer Open Water is
launched by the National Water Safety
Council (NWSC) and the Singapore
Sports Council (SSC) today. It is a
complementary module under the
national water safety programme
SwimSafer and equips children and
adults, with skills in open water safety.
The module also educates participants
on the unique risks and dangers
present in open water as compared to
swimming in a pool - uneven surfaces,
river currents, sea undertow and the
effects of changing weather - which
pose challenges even for the most
experienced water sports enthusiasts.
Dr Teo Ho Pin, Chairman of the NWSC
and Mayor of North West District, who
officiated the launch of SwimSafer
Open Water at East Coast Park today,
commented, “With an average of
about 65% of drowning cases in
Singapore occurring in open water
over the last five years, SwimSafer
Open Water is a highly recommended
modular option for both children
and adults to learn open water
survival skills, especially water sports
enthusiasts who spend a great deal of
their time in open water.”
13Feb:After seven months of
consultation with some 2500
people from the public, private
and people sectors, the Vision
2030 Committee released its 19
preliminary recommendations on how
sport can be a key strategy to serve
Singapore. The recommendations
called for more opportunities and
access for Singaporeans to play more
sports in school, the community and
the workplace. Sports capabilities
would also be enhanced to support
the anticipated growth in quantity and
quality of sports programmes.
Revealing the preliminary
recommendations, Acting Minister
for Community Development, Youth
and Sports, Mr. Chan Chun Sing said,
“In meeting and talking with people,
the consensus became clear. Sport
can be a national strategy to shape
our future, whether we are promoting
physical, mental and psychological
well-being; creating strong leaders
with drive and confidence; developing
a winning spirit; or uniting us as a
nation. It provides many practical,
teachable moments.” Acting Minister
Chan added, “It may take some years
to feel the full impact of these changes.
It is critical that we lay the foundation
now with the end goal in mind - to live
better through sports. Through the
opportunities created under V2030, we
hope people will participate actively
in sport, and in the process, become
happier individuals, stronger leaders,
more active community contributors or
proud citizens.”SSC File Photo
SSC File Photo
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