SPORTS ORGANISATIONS

Mr Bernard Rodrigues asked the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs whether the Government will consider issuing a directive to all sports bodies, which are receiving a grant from the Government, to buy locally-manufactured equipment whenever possible.

Inche Othman Bin Wok: The grants made by the Government to various sports bodies are not for the purchase of equipment, locally-manufactured or otherwise. They are normally made for a specific purpose such as meeting the accommodation expenses of overseas competitors taking part in the Pesta Sukan or for travelling expenses of local bodies participating in overseas competitions. For most games like badminton, cricket, golf and tennis, we do not have locally-manufactured equipment. Generally too, players prefer to purchase equipment of their own choice from their own funds.

However, an appeal will be made to the Sports Associations who are members of the Singapore Sports Council to use locally-manufactured equipment whenever possible.