Update on Singapore Youth League

28 Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what is the progress of the Singapore Youth League announced at the Ministry's 2023 Committee of Supply debate; and (b) whether the Ministry considers the reliance on private-owned football academies and their leagues for national youth development acceptable.

Mr David Neo: The Singapore Youth League (SYL) has made good progress since its inception in 2024. Today, 6,000 boys and girls participate in the SYL. Each one of them plays an average of 30 competitive matches per year, double the number before the SYL began.

It takes a whole of nation effort to develop our youths. Everyone, from private clubs and academies to youth teams, from our Singapore Premier League clubs, contributes to a strong and wide talent base, upon which our national youth teams can be built. Therefore, we work closely with these stakeholders in the ecosystem to identify talents for the Junior National Development Centre and National Development Centre.