DELAYED DISBURSEMENT OF ANNUAL GRANT TO SINGAPORE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

DELAYED DISBURSEMENT OF ANNUAL GRANT TO SINGAPORE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION:

(Impact): 1.

Mr Seah Kian Peng asked the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports in view of the disagreement between the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) and the Singapore Athletic Association (SAA) (a) whether mediation can provide a possible resolution; (b) what is the impact on

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athletes from the delayed disbursement of the annual grant of almost $900,000 to SAA; and (c) whether this will have implications on our hosting of the Youth Olympic Games and other future major athletics events.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (Mr Teo Ser Luck) (for the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) administers the disbursement of grants to National Sports Associations (NSAs), to help them promote and develop their respective sports in Singapore. As part of due process, SSC requires NSAs to submit their sports development plans for SSC's consideration before the disbursement of funds. NSAs are also required to demonstrate that they have in place sound governance and administration structures, as monetary grants are involved. In evaluating the request for grants, SSC will also look at whether the NSA has been able to fulfil past targets that the NSA has set.

The Singapore Athletic Association (SAA) has not met the conditions for SSC grants. It has not fulfilled the past targets, and the improvement plans have not been adequate. There are also major weaknesses in governance, including some high-risk audit areas. Therefore, SSC has withheld the disbursement of the grants for Financial Year 2010. This is a regulatory matter involving public money. When SAA is able to meet the conditions for SSC grants, SSC will re-consider the situation and if all conditions are fulfilled, SSC will disburse the grants.

Part of NSA grants goes towards supporting the training of national athletes. SSC is mindful of the possible impact on them, and is working with

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various stakeholders to ensure that the athletes’ training and welfare are not compromised. For example, SSC has been disbursing training assistance grants directly to athletes under training. SSC has also continued to provide sports medicine and sports science support to the athletes. Funding is a privilege. It is not an entitlement for NSAs. We will not hesitate to fund the athletes directly in consideration of their welfare and funding needs.

This episode should not have any implication for the upcoming Youth Olympic Games (YOG). The competition managers and key staff for athletics for the YOG have already been appointed. They are in full preparation for the successful running of the athletics events for the Games. SSC has also continued to allow the YOG athletes to use Bukit Gombak Stadium for training and qualification competitions for the YOG.

Mr Speaker: Mr Seah, I will allow one supplementary question only.

Mr Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade): Thank you, Sir. I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for his answer. I have the following supplementary questions. There has been much public interest in this matter and there were some calls for MCYS to get involved in addressing the leadership issue in SAA. My first question is, should Government –

Mr Speaker: You have only one question, Mr Seah.

Mr Seah Kian Peng: Should the Government play a more active role in this, or leave it to the fraternity to sort itself out? Second, can the SSC consider direct funding to the athletes in view of this protracted negotiation, specifically for the 4 x 100-metre relay team? Can this be done given that one of our best athletic talents in recent decades? Third, –

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Mr Speaker: Mr Seah, I said I would allow only one question. You have gotten into your third, now.

Mr Seah Kian Peng: Sir, there is one portion where the Senior Parliamentary Secretary did not quite address which is the impact on future athletic events. And just one last question, are there any other NSAs where SSC may have concerns with regard to corporate governance issues?

Mr Speaker: Okay, Mr Teo. Quick answers.

Mr Teo Ser Luck: Sir, SSC is the governor of the sports sector in Singapore and MCYS is the policy-maker. SSC will continue to support all the NSAs who present good development and training plans. We are always in consultation with NSAs to see how we can best support them. Annual funding is one way, and indirect services is another way through which we support them. We cannot be involved in the associations' electoral process because that has to be decided by their respective fraternity.

In SAA's case, the 21 affiliates have to decide what is the best way forward for the association. They have to decide who takes the leadership because they represent the voices of the athletic fraternity. At the same time, they have to, not only to listen to themselves and the fraternity, but also the public voices as well. When it comes to elections and the time to vote, they have to make the right decision.

For the 4 x 100-metre relay team, I am glad that they are back in training. If they have any needs in terms of funding and training, they can always approach SSC, and we are more than willing to give them support. We are always willing to support any future athletic event, and we are always open to consultation and having more athletic events in Singapore. Because in any major game, athletics is a

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key event and an integral part of any international multi-sports game. We will also like Singapore to do well in this key sport. As such, the Member can be assured that when NSAs such as SAA are able to sort their issues out, whether audit, governance or training plans, SSC will be fully supportive in terms of disbursing the grants. As for his concerns over other NSAs with governance issues, the Member can also be assured that SSC will step up its regulatory audits and make sure that these are more regular. We will make sure NSAs understand that when they obtain funding from SSC, they are dealing with public money. Public money cannot be taken for granted.