SINGAPORE SPORTS COUNCIL BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

5.26 p.m.

The Minister for Social Affairs (Encik Othman Bin Wok): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time".

Sir, the main purpose of the Bill, as found in the Explanatory Statement, is to establish the "Singapore Sports Council" which will take over the functions of the National Sports Promotion Board and the National Stadium Corporation.

The National Sports Promotion Board came into being with the coming into force of the National Sports Promotion Board Act in February 1971, and the National Stadium Corporation with the coming into force of the National Stadium Corporation Act in November 1971. At that time, it was considered necessary that there should be a separate organisation for the National Stadium which was at the initial stages of its construction. The Stadium has now been completed and was officially opened by our Prime Minister on 21st July, 1973. At this stage, it would not be economical to have two organisations concerned with the promotion of sports and the provision of recreational and sports facilities. The National Sports Promotion Board is concerned with the promotion of sports and the provision of facilities. The National Stadium Complex will be the main sports complex in Singapore and would also be concerned with sports. The time has now come for the two organisations to be amalgamated, so as to achieve the maximum utilisation of staff, finance and facilities.

With amalgamation, there would be a streamlined administrative machinery, which would result not only in a considerable amount of savings in finances on personal emoluments and office space, but also in more efficient performance in sports promotion. In this connection, I wish to mention that this new administrative machinery will pay particular attention to intra and inter-Constituency games which form an important mass base for the new "sports for all" national policy.

The enactment of the Singapore Sports Council Act is in keeping with the new "sports for all" policy which the Government has embarked upon. Under this policy, the aim would be towards achieving good health, physical well-being, beneficial recreation and better spending of leisure time by our population. It also aims at raising the standard of sports so that it becomes an essential part of our national life. In furtherance of this policy, the objectives of this Council would be:

(a) to improve the physical fitness standards of the people of the Republic;

(b) to encourage mass participation of the population in sports in the Republic;

(c) to provide the people of the Republic with maximum facilities so as to enable them to carry out their sports and recreational activities; and lastly,

(d) to raise the standard of sports at all levels in the Republic.

The various provisions of the Bill are geared towards achieving these objectives. The main functions, as contained in clause 8 of the Bill, are to plan and to promote, to co-ordinate and to cooperate, to encourage and arrange sports, games and recreation and physical education in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and the Singapore National Olympic Council and national sports organisations. Some of the other functions are to foster research and physical education and establish sports stadia and other sports facilities as are deemed necessary.

Under clause 9 of the Bill, the powers given to the Council are mainly to recommend minimum standards for participation in international sports, competitions and games; to advise on the planning, promotion and standards of physical education; to raise funds; to make grants or contributions to sports organisations, and to conduct commercial and business ventures.

Clause 11 refers to transfer to the Council of the undertakings of the National Stadium Corporation and the National Sports Promotion Board, while clause 12 provides for the continued secondment of Government employees of either Board following the amalgamation and later absorption into the service of the Council. It also provides in clause 13 for non-Government employees to be transferred. Part VI of the Bill provides for financial matters. There is provision in the Bill for the Council to receive loans or grants from both the Government and the private sector, including the Singapore Pools (Private) Limited. One new innovation in this Bill is that most of the financial provisions are set out in schedule form attached to it, and this has the advantage of shortening the Bill considerably.

The Bill does not confer authoritative powers nor powers to impose sanctions or penalties over national sports associations or private clubs, nor does it interfere with or usurp the functions of relevant Ministries, like the Ministry of Education. The Singapore Sports Council will be there to advise, encourage, coordinate and lead.

It is expected that with the setting up of the Singapore Sports Council by the amalgamation of the National Sports Promotion Board and the National Stadium Corporation, we will have a streamlined organisation made up of persons actively concerned with the promotion of sports, who would over the years he able to work together and build up a base among the masses, a base that would give the support necessary to bring about the popularity of sports. Whereas the Singapore Sports Council will be involved in the running of sports and physical education programmes, as well as the provision of facilities, the Ministry of Social Affairs will be actively concerned with policy direction.

In conclusion, I wish to emphasise that with the formation of the Singapore Sports Council, we can look forward to seeing that the main objective of promoting mass participation of the people-in sports in Singapore, as well as bringing about physical fitness of the population, so essential to security and productivity in Singapore, would be achieved in the years ahead.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question proposed.

5.34 p.m.

Dr Ong Leong Boon (Kim Seng): Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Singapore Sports Council Bill. As in 1971, when the National Sports Promotion Board Bill was introduced, there is an air of hope for sports in Singapore. It is my personal hope and wish that the air now is not the same as the air then. However, looking at the present set-up, I am confident that the present Singapore Sports Council will augur well for sports in Singapore in future. However, I would be failing at this stage if I do not bring up a few points which I think are worth noting. Some of the officials in the last few surviving days-of the National Sports Promotion Board, who were responsible for some of the acts of mischief, are still very much with this new body and unless the new officials who are in charge will bear their authority upon these junior officials, I am afraid some of the acts of mischief committed in the past might be repeated in the new Council.

Secondly, I notice that there is a definite shortage of staff in this big sports body. If that is the problem, then I think if we do not enlarge the staff we might be faced with more problems. Thirdly, I would like to comment on the efficiency and leadership which was so markedly lacking in the last National Sports Promotion Board. It is our hope that with the introduction of new officials, this noticeable lack of qualities in the past will no longer be with us now and we look forward to able leadership in the Singapore Sports Council.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I can assure the Minister for Social Affairs that my colleagues and fellow Members of Parliament here who have in the past brought to light some of the unpleasant problems would join me in wishing this new Singapore Sports Council all the very best, and we give it our fullest support.

Encik Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, just a few words to thank the Member and his colleagues for the support which they are giving to the Bill. One of the objectives of this Bill is also to rectify all the mistakes that have been made before, and to improve on the efficiency of the new organisation.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. -[Encik Othman Bin Wok].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.