SPONSORS FOR SPORTING EVENTS

SPONSORS FOR SPORTING EVENTS

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(Private sector involvement): **

48.

Ms Joscelin Yeo asked the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports whether his Ministry has plans to actively pursue sponsors from the private sector for the sporting fraternity and why such sponsors have not been actively pursued in the past.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: My Ministry and the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) support efforts to engage the private sector as sponsors for sporting initiatives. SSC has put in place platforms such as the annual CEO Networking Session to actively promote the opportunities presented by sports to the private sector. I have attended these sessions and have seen for myself a growing interest and readiness from the private sector to invest in sports. This is evident from the corporate sponsorships garnered for sports events such as the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, OCBC Cycle Singapore and next year's Youth Olympic Games (YOG). Also, the number of blue-chip sponsors for SSC-funded events increased from 26 in financial year 2006 to 53 in financial year 2008.

Both SSC and the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee will continue to engage the private sector to explore partnership opportunities. I am pleased to note that local companies such as DBS, Deloitte Singapore, Changi Exhibition Centre, Fairmont Singapore and Crocodile International have come onboard as sponsors for YOG. I hope many others will follow suit. I would also urge the National Sports Associations (NSAs) and the sporting fraternity to actively present your value proposition and interest the private sector to support your cause.