SPORTS IN SINGAPORE (Measures to raise standard)

Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Minister for Social Affairs what measures are being taken to raise the standard of sports in Singapore to international standards.

The Minister for Social Affairs (Inche Othman Bin Wok): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Singapore National Olympics Council has a sub-committee working on several three-year "training and `coaching" plans submitted by its affiliates. All sports organisations have been advised to place special emphasis on the progressive training of their particular branch of sports in order to raise their proficiency to international standards. At the moment, there is already a scheme for Badminton promotion involving seven different training centres based on the three-year programme with the aim of creating a substantial corps of Badminton players of a reasonably high standard to be considered for the national team. These centres provide training for the youths in schools as well as those who are members of sports organisations and the community centres.

The National Sports Promotion Board is represented on the sub-committee responsible for "training and coaching" and is giving every assistance to ensure the success of the plans put up by the various sports controlling bodies.

Hand in hand with the training given to participants of the various sports, this sub-committee is also planning a scheme to train coaches as well. The training envisaged for these coaches will be conducted both locally and overseas.

In addition to the training schemes which have been mentioned, the various sports organisations are encouraged to hold regular competitions locally and to send their best talents to compete in regional and international sports meets to enable them to gain international experience.

I feel confident, Sir, that the standards of sports in Singapore will reach new heights in the near future.