MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS

Sports

Our youth population need to grow up healthy and competitive and participation in sports is one way of achieving this aim. The facilities and finances for more systematic promotion of sports have been improved and increased. The National Sports Promotion Board has already been established. It will be considering the long-term programmes and requirements of sports. The present facilities, including those coming up in the new housing estates, should be adequate. Improvements will be made to the Jalan Besar Stadium and the British Dover Road Sports Complex. Given the necessary public support and leadership and direction by the National Sports Promotion Board, the standards of sports can be improved.

Social welfare

There are plans to strengthen the existing system of social welfare services. Existing welfare institutions are being restructured, whilst new facilities and services will be provided.

Existing social welfare programmes for preventive, remedial and developmental functions in social welfare will be further improved by effective community participation. Some of the existing services will be decentralized, so that welfare services will be provided in all major residential areas.

The number of volunteers participating in welfare and probation work is increasing. It is encouraging to note that more men and women have come forward as volunteer welfare workers.

The probation and aftercare service for the rehabilitation of offenders while they remain at work or at school under supervision is being strengthened. Plans for a prison social service to devise a system of parole and aftercare suited to conditions in Singapore are being worked out.