SINGAPORE NATIONAL OLYMPIC COUNCIL

SINGAPORE NATIONAL OLYMPIC COUNCIL

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(Multi-Million Dollar Awards Programme): **

43.

Mr Baey Yam Keng asked the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (a) how many recipients have benefited from the Multi-Million Dollar Awards Programme of the Singapore National Olympic Council; (b) what is the total sum awarded to date; and (c) how effective has this programme been in motivating and improving Singapore athletes' performance at international competitions.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: The Multi-Million Dollar Award Programme (MAP) was initiated in 1991 by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) as an incentive for our athletes who win medals at the four Major Games – these are the Southeast Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Olympic Games. The SNOC is the national non-government organisation responsible for selection of athletes to take part in these Major Games. The Singapore Totalisator Board is the primary sponsor for the MAP award, and Asia Pacific Breweries contributes towards the Asian Games individual and team gold medal winners.

The purpose of the MAP award is to recognise our athletes' individual and team efforts and sacrifices in training intensively at the elite level and attaining medal honour for the country. To date, 622 MAP awards, amounting to S$15.13 million, have been disbursed.

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The MAP award should be viewed as part of a comprehensive support and recognition framework for our athletes. This framework includes the Singapore Sports School, which nurtures our talented youth. For the senior national athletes, Singapore Sports Council and National Sports Associations offer specialised coaching, sports medicine and sports science services, career and education guidance programmes, and so on.

Viewed in this broader context, the MAP award and other athlete-centric programmes and services have been successful in steadily motivating and improving our athletes' performances in the Major Games. For instance, in 2006, Team Singapore secured our best ever performances at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. Then in 2007, we secured our best ever medal haul at an away SEA Games. We will continue to provide holistic support and recognition to our athletes in their quest for world-class excellence.