PEOPLE'S ASSOCIATION (Sports promotion through community centres)

Inche Abdul Aziz Karim asked the Minister for Culture if the People's Association will give full support to the National Sports Promotion Board by mobilising all its resources at the community centres in bringing about a new milieu in sports in the Republic.

The Minister for Culture (Mr Jek Yeun Thong): Mr Speaker. Sir, there :s large scope for co-operation between the National Sports Promotion Board and the People's Association in respect of promoting and organising sporting activities. The National Sports Promotion Board has been established to encourage, develop and promote sports on a national basis, whilst the People's Association has, among its objectives, the responsibility of organising and promoting group participation in social, cultural, educational and athletic activities for the people of Singapore.

It can be seen that the People's Association cannot mobilise all its resources at the community centres just for the promotion of athletic activities, as the role of the People's Association embraces a much wider scope. However, the Association will be willing to contribute its share in bringing about a new milieu in sports in the Republic. The Director of the People's Association is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the National Sports Promotion Board and close co-ordination between the two organisations can be expected.

Inche Abdul Aziz Karim (Kallang): Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister indicate in what way can the People's Association contribute towards this objective?

Mr Jek Yeun Thong: It can contribute, for instance, by allowing the ordinary use of the community centre premises. Apart from that, very much depends on the sports organisations and the management committees of the community centres in the respective constituencies.