Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill

Order for Second Reading read.

Mr Deputy Speaker: The Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth.

4.31 pm

The Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (Mr David Neo): Mr Deputy Speaker, I move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time".

Sir, the Singapore Sports Council Act was enacted in 1973 to establish the Singapore Sports Council, also known as Sport Singapore (SportSG), as the statutory body responsible for promoting and developing sports in Singapore. For over five decades, SportSG has led the development of a vibrant sporting culture in Singapore. Together, we have achieved significant progress in two areas; first, participation in sports; and second, sporting excellence.

In the last decade, SportSG has achieved a significant increase in participation in sports in a number of ways. First, in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MOE), we have effectively embedded sports programmes across mainstream and special education schools and expanded the outreach of sports to the young very significantly.

The Sports Education Programme, which promotes development of skills and sports knowledge of students, their active participation of sports, and promotion of team spirit and character building is now offered in more than 320 schools, up from 187 just five years ago.

The School Sports Partnership programme, which allows more children to be exposed to multi-sport experiences at introductory and intermediate levels regardless of their skills and abilities, has grown from 19 in 2020 to 92 schools today.

These programmes expose our youths to diverse sporting experiences, nurtures a love for sports and builds a strong foundation for active and healthy lives.

Outside of schools, we engage our youths through ActiveSG's academies and clubs. These offer structured sports programmes for our children to pursue their sporting interests and form bonds and networks with peers beyond schools. And together with our affiliated partners' programmes, we reach out to about 15,000 regular participants each year. And we want that passion for sport to continue beyond the school years. To help them stay connected with sports for life, the ActiveSG Sport Interest Groups provide avenues for Singaporeans to continue to pursue their sporting interests together. This also allows them to form new friendships and meet others of different ages and abilities to play sport together regularly. Today, SportSG offers more than 3,000 interest group programmes annually, reaching close to 30,000 participants.

Second, we have increased access to sports through our expansion of sports infrastructure. In addition to rejuvenating and building new ActiveSG Sport Centres with an expanded offering of sports facilities, we have also built more sports facilities closer to residents' homes through Sport-in-Precinct programmes. Where we can, we have integrated them with government facilities in our heartlands to provide Singaporeans with a one-stop facility to live, work and play, such as at Our Tampines Hub, Bukit Canberra and Heartbeat at Bedok. We have also rejuvenated several others such as the Delta Sport Centre and ActiveSG Sport Parks at Teck Ghee and Bedok North.

With convenient access to sports programmes at facilities such as gyms and swimming complexes, Singaporeans' visitorship to ActiveSG facilities has increased by more than 50% from 13.2 million in 2014 to about 20.8 million in 2025. More than 1.9 million Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents have also signed up to the new web-based MyActiveSG+ platform for facility and programme booking since its launch in 2024.

Through these efforts, three in four Singaporeans aged 13 and above now participate in sport and fitness activities weekly, up from just one in two a decade ago. This is a significant jump. Many more Singaporeans now adopt active and healthy lifestyles. And this is a big step in our effort to bring our health-span closer to our life-span, and to help Singaporeans live longer, healthier lives.

Beyond physical fitness activities, mind sports and e-sports have also seen strong growth in participation and recognition both here in Singapore and globally. Take chess for instance. We hosted the World Chess Championship for the first time in 2024. In schools, around 1,700 students competed at the 75th National Schools Individual Chess Championship in the same year. That is about a 20% increase compared to 2022, which was when it was last held.

As for e-sports, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region is one of the world's fastest growing e-sports markets. The upcoming 2026 Asian Games will also feature an increased number of 11 medals for e-sport titles, up from seven at the 2022 Asian Games. So, in line with young Singaporeans' widening interest in e-sports, we partnered the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Week in 2023. Our Team Singapore e-sport athletes also achieved medal success at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) and other competitions such as at the World Taekwondo Virtual Championships.

Sir, these trends reflect the contemporary sporting landscape where players, competitors and supporters are no longer limited to the traditional disciplines of physical sporting activities.

In terms of sporting excellence, we have progressively strengthened our High Performance Sport (HPS) ecosystem to nurture more Team Singapore athletes and help them realise their full sporting potential to perform better in more sports.

Just last month, we celebrated Team Singapore's achievements at the SEA Games in Thailand. We fielded our largest SEA Games contingent of more than 900 athletes competing across nearly 50 sports, with more than half competing for the first time. And our athletes did very well. They won a record number of 202 medals, with 52 folds.

At the games, our athletes also achieved many firsts. Calvin Quek and Avvir Tham won our first gold in 60 years in the 400 metres hurdles and diving respectively. Marissa Hafezan won Singapore's first SEA Games karate medal since 2011 and first gold medal since 1993. Our men's 3x3 basketball team won a historic silver medal with a young team averaging just 21 years old. And I am also happy to report that about half of our athletes who competed for the first time won medals, including some of our youngest Team Singapore athletes, 12-year-old sailor Anya Zahedi and 14-year-old swimmer Julia Yeo. Julia was just sitting behind Nominated Member Dr Kenneth Goh and myself, and cheering on the Team Singapore athletes one moment, and the next moment she was in the water. Well, she set her personal best in the backstroke during the womens' 4x100 metres medley relay, and together with her teammates Ting Wen, Jing Wen and Letitia, broke the meet record and won the Gold medal. And all this while she was swimming in borrowed goggles and swimsuit. Imagine if she had brought her own!

And it was Singaporeans' support for our athletes at the games that made all the difference. Whether it was Singaporeans who were supporting the team from back home or Singaporeans who went to Thailand to cheer on the team, like our Team Nila volunteers.

Whether it was cheering the mens' water polo team through their dominant wins in the pool, enroute to their 29th gold medal or our netball teams' heartbreaking three-point loss in the finals, Singaporeans stood with Team Singapore through both victories and defeats.

Our supporters embodied the very essence of the Singapore Spirit. On the fields and in the stadiums, we were united as one voice, cheering as one nation for Team Singapore.

As our Team Nila volunteer Mr Andy Toh aptly put, the journey with Team Nila in Bangkok was both poignant and fulfilling, marked by the emotional highs and lows of witnessing athletes' triumphs and disappointments. He was deeply moved by our athletes' grace, fortitude and determination to bring glory and honour to Singapore, and felt privileged to be able to contribute with fellow Team Nila volunteers.

And with Singaporeans' strong support, Team Singapore's average SEA Games gold medal tally has increased significantly over the past two decades. From around 20 in the 2000s to about 40 in the early 2010s, to more than 50 today.

At the highest levels, our athletes have also showed that we have what it takes to do well at the Olympics and the Paralympics. In Paris 2024, our Team Singapore contingent came home with two golds, a silver and a bronze. They also broke two national records and had two personal bests.

We have also stepped up to host top-tier international sporting competitions, testing our capabilities against stronger and more established nations, and rallying our nation's support for our athletes.

For close to three months in 2025, we worked to host the World Aquatics Championships, World Aquatics Masters Championships and the World Para Swimming Championships. We welcomed over 9,000 international athletes, including the world's top swimmers to Singapore across these events. We saw outstanding performances from our swimmers like Yip Pin Xiu and Gan Ching Hwee who achieved medal success and broke national records.

Our TeamSG para-swimmer Wong Zhi Wei fondly recounted his experience at the World Para Swimming Championships in September last year. He said, and I quote, "I was really grateful for the crowd because every time I came up to breathe I could hear them say "Go!" and I could hear a lot of them shouting my name so I am really glad for the support that I have especially for this meet that is held on home ground."

Through the years, our athletes and para-athletes do more than just make Singapore proud. They inspire dreams. They show our youth what is possible when they dare to dream. And we are committed to nurture more youths to turn their dreams into reality.

Next week, our contingent of 37 Team Singapore para-athletes across 11 sports will participate in the ASEAN Para Games and I invite all Singaporeans to join me in supporting Team Singapore to make Singapore proud.

Our achievements so far, both in participation in sports and in sporting excellence, gives us confidence that we are on the right track. And we want to do better.

First, we want to continue to build up our high-performance sports systems to nurture our athletes to their fullest potential. For our athletes, we are investing in a new home for Team Singapore as part of the Kallang Alive Masterplan. We will integrate all elements of our hardware – our high performance sporting development and sports science system – under one roof for athletes to stay, train, study and compete, supported by the High Performance Sport Institute and the National Sports Associations (NSAs).

We will also continue to improve our software, to start organising ourselves around an integrated structure to enhance the end-to-end development of our athletes from youth to adult, so that our athletes can be supported holistically. And we will continue to refine our sporting policies and programmes to ensure that athletes have the right infrastructure, adequate resources and multiple opportunities to excel. This reflects our concerted, strategic and long-term commitment to build a sustainable and thriving sports ecosystem for all our athletes.

Second, we will continue to make sport more accessible and inclusive for all Singaporeans. We announced the refreshed Disability Sports Master Plan (DSMP) in 2024. The DSMP lays out our vision to build an inclusive and vibrant sporting landscape where persons of all abilities will have ample opportunities to participate in sports. One of the key moves is the launch of the Enabling Sports Fund to support community-led programmes that make sport accessible, inclusive and meaningful for persons with disabilities.

Similarly, we want to make an effort to leverage sports to develop youths from disadvantaged backgrounds. SportSG's philanthropic arm, SportCares, will continue to work with key partners to leverage sport initiatives and programmes to deepen its outreach to vulnerable communities. For instance, Saturday Night Lights (SNL), a flagship SportCares programme since 2013, has served more than 1,000 youths-at-risk or from disadvantaged households.

These youths develop important life skills such as respect, discipline and resilience through SNL's regular football training and are given a safe and structured space to grow, with coaches acting as their mentors. We will also continue to expand opportunities to students in our schools to access and excel in different sports.

Today, programmes, such as Strategic Partnership Co-curricular Activities (SP-CCAs) allow students keen to participate in sports not offered as in their schools to do so. These include athletics, canoeing, hockey and water polo. We will continue to work with MOE to expand such opportunities for our young.

We are also working to uplift standards so that Singaporeans can take part in sports safely. For instance, SportSG introduced the National Registry of Exercise Professionals (NREP) in 2023, to build capabilities in the physical fitness sector.

Registered exercise professionals under NREP are certified in areas, such as Standard First Aid and Safe Sport, in addition to their fitness or exercise certifications. Registered exercise professionals under NREP are also certified in Standard First Aid with Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Safe Sport, Basic Exercise Science or equivalent, so they can better serve Singaporeans.

SportSG is also working with industry partners and Government agencies to establish a Code of Practice for gyms and fitness studios. This aims to help align best practices in areas, such as equipment and facility management, among other safety considerations for better and more consistent standards across the industry.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have described how our sporting landscape has evolved over the years and become an integrated part of Singaporeans' daily lives. I have also set out what we plan to do going ahead.

To support these plans, we need to update the Singapore Sports Council Act, which has not been significantly updated since its enactment in 1973. This is to empower SportSG to more effectively administer its role in driving all Singaporeans to live better through sport. Hence, we are seeking to make the following amendments in this Bill.

First, to provide holistic education and career support to our Team Singapore athletes, clause 6(h) of the Bill inserts new section 8(k) and (o). These provisions provide an enhanced mandate for SportSG to establish institutions to develop and train national athletes. This includes overseeing their sporting activities and working with MOE on the Singapore Sports School's (SSP's) academic curricula.

Specifically, new section 8(k) provides SportSG with the mandate to establish an institution formed that will be formed through consolidating the SSP with the High Performance Sports Institute. This is a key step to implement our plans announced at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) Committee of Supply (COS) debate in 2025 and will enhance our end-to-end support for our athletes.

SSP will retain its brand and identity and serve as the educational arm of our HPS system. This consolidation will strengthen our system and it will stand us in good stead for future Major Games, especially when we host the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games in 2029.

We are also laying the groundwork early for the relocation of SSP to Kallang, bringing the school together with sports science facilities, sports medicine centres, national training centres and national sports associations under one roof as the home of a new Team Singapore. More details on this will be provided at our 2026 COS debate.

Second, to uplift standards of the sports industry, clause 6(h) of the Bill inserts a new section 8(m) and (n) to recognise the leadership role of SportSG in raising the capabilities and safety in the sports sector. This includes establishing and maintaining quality standards and codes of practice for coaching, equipment, facilities as well as the relevant accreditation systems.

With the growth in national participation in sports and physical fitness activities, we need to strengthen SportSG's mandate to build capabilities in the sports industry. Rather than becoming a regulator of the sports industry and taking the approach of regulatory enforcement, SportSG will continue to exercise leadership in the sport sector by encouraging the adoption of industry best practices. This includes but is not limited to its existing policies and initiatives, such as the Safe Sport Commission, National Registry of Coaches (NROC) and NREP.

Third, to strengthen disability sports and support our effort towards greater inclusivity, clause 6(b) of the Bill seeks to amend section 8(d) of the Act to recognise the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) as SportSG's key partner, the same way Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) is recognised today. This is in line with the refreshed DSMP where we have also expanded access and opportunities for persons of all abilities to participate in sport.

Next, to support Singaporeans' diverse sporting aspirations, clause 2 of the Bill seeks to amend section 2 of the Act to define "sports" to include mind sports and e-sports and to define "mind sport" as a competitive game based on intellectual skill such as chess or bridge.

Clause 6(a) of the Bill seeks to amend section 8(a) of the Act to expand the functions of SportSG to expressly include the planning and promotion of physical fitness activities, in addition to sports, for both competitive and recreational purposes.

Clause 6(c) to (f) seeks to amend section 8(f) to (i) to expand the functions in those provisions to include physical fitness activities. Specifically, cause 6(c) amends section 8(f) to specify that research and study in sports and physical fitness activities includes sports science, sports medicine and other subjects that are related to sports and physical fitness activities.

The field of sports science has advanced significantly, and it is now integral to public health initiatives and high-performance sport development both locally and abroad. Active Health programmes, grounded in sports and exercise science, will also play a larger role in helping our seniors lead longer, stronger and healthier lives.

These amendments signal Singapore's increased commitment to sports science and sports medicine as foundational elements in supporting our nation's next bound in sports and physical fitness activities.

Collectively, these moves support Singaporeans' diverse sporting aspirations and is consistent with the wider local and international developments, including at Major Games.

The gameplay and disciplines of mind sports and e-sports will continue to evolve. Therefore, the updated definition of sports in the Bill takes a balanced and future-ready approach to support newer and more varied forms of sporting participation and sporting excellence by Singaporeans. SportSG will calibrate its support for these activities and sports based on their specific needs, governance standards and contributions to national sporting objectives.

Lastly, the Bill includes and introduces technical amendments to align the Act to the key moves that I have discussed.

Clause 4 of the Bill amends section 4 of the Act to increase the maximum size of SportSG's Board from 15 members to 25 members, so that more expertise could be brought onboard as needed. Clause 7 of the Bill sets out a detailed list of updates to the powers of SportSG under section 9 of the Act, to align them with the expanded functions of SportSG in section 8 of the Act.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in conclusion, the Bill is an important enabler in driving Singapore's sporting culture and for our national sport ecosystem to be inclusive, dynamic and future-ready. It reaffirms that sport is for everyone, regardless of age or ability and our effort for every Singaporean to live better through sport. It states, in one voice, our support for Team Singapore athletes and our effort to nurture every athlete to fulfil their fullest sporting potential. We will continue to work closely with partners in the sport ecosystem and industry to ensure smooth implementation of this Bill. Sir, I seek to move.

Question proposed.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Mr Alex Yam.

4.53 pm

Mr Alex Yam (Marsiling-Yew Tee): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Bill. This Bill touches on a wide and interconnected sporting ecosystem in Singapore and many of my colleagues will be speaking on its various dimensions.

Ms Gho Sze Kee and Ms Valerie Lee will address how we strengthen Team Singapore and disability sport. Dr Charlene Chen, Mr David Hoe and Ms Elysa Chen will speak on mind sports and e-sports, as well as the importance of governance and accreditation. Ms Poh Li San will speak on the importance of board diversity in our sports associations, while Dr Hamid Razak will address the need for a calibrated and disciplined approach to resource allocation. Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim, Mr Yip Hon Weng and Mr Lee Hong Chuang will take a broader view across the Bill's themes. And closing off will be the Deputy Chair of our Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC), Ms Joan Pereira, who will close off the bench's contributions to this debate.

Collectively, these contributions will reflect the breadth of the Bill. My remarks today will therefore focus on framing the overall direction of travel, before my colleagues go deeper into the specific policy areas where their suggestions and observations will be made.

Mr Deputy Speaker, this Bill reflects how sport in Singapore has evolved over the last decade and, more importantly, how it must continue to evolve if it is to serve not just our medal ambitions but also our people, our social compact and our national identity.

At its very core, this Bill recognises a simple truth, that sport today is not just confine to podiums, pitches or to the playing fields. It is increasingly also about inclusion, health, character, opportunity and lifelong participation.

The proposed amendments give SportSG the clarity, mandate and flexibility to meet these realities responsibly.

I will, therefore, focus my remarks on four broad areas: inclusion and disability sport; the broadening of what we recognise as sport; standards and professionalism in our sports ecosystem; and finally, the holistic development of our athletes across sporting and educational pathways.

First, on disability sport and inclusion. Mr Deputy Speaker, in my view, one of the most important shifts reflected in this Bill is the formal recognition of the SNPC as a key partner of SportSG. This is alongside the SNOC and the NSAs. This is not merely symbolic. It is a signal of intent.

The refreshed DSMP made it clear that inclusion is not an adjunct to our sporting system. It must be integral to it. Athletes with disabilities do not exist on the margins of Team Singapore. They are Team Singapore.

So, therefore, formal recognition of the SNPC strengthens accountability, coordination and partnership across the entire sporting ecosystem. It enables clearer alignment in athlete development, competition pathways and event organisation. It also affirms that disability sport deserves the same strategic attention, resourcing discipline and long-term planning as able-bodied sport.

I would therefore encourage SportSG, as it operationalises this partnership, to continue investing not only in elite pathways, but also in grassroots access. This includes adaptive facilities, trained coaches and community-level programmes that enable persons with disabilities to engage in sport early and confidently. Inclusion succeeds not when we create parallel systems, but when our mainstream systems are designed with inclusion in mind from the very beginning.

Secondly, on supporting diverse sporting aspirations. The Bill updates the statutory understanding of what sport is and in doing so, reflects how Singaporeans actually live, train and compete today. Beyond competitive and recreational sport, the Bill explicitly empowers SportSG to promote physical fitness activities, mind sports and e-sports. This is a pragmatic and necessary evolution.

Physical fitness activities are foundational to public health, especially in an ageing society like Singapore. Programmes under ActiveSG, as well as local efforts, such as the North West Healthy Living Festival, recognise that many Singaporeans may not aspire to competitive sport, but still seek structured, social and motivating ways to stay active.

As an example, the North West Brisk Walking Club has grown into, what is perhaps, Singapore's largest and most consistent community fitness movements, with a strong membership base of 70,000 spanning seniors, working adults and families. What has also been particularly encouraging is its recent evolution, across all the five Community Development Councils (CDCs).

With the launch of CDC Walking Trails, the intentional design of routes to be more accessible, scenic, gamified and digitally supported, we have seen, since its launch in August 2025, a broadening participation of over 85,000, including many younger residents and first-time exercisers. When we invest thoughtfully in simple, inclusive physical activity, we lower the barriers to participation and bring more Singaporeans into physically active lifestyles.

Mind sports, such as chess, bridge and e-sports, reflect cognitive skills, discipline and international competitiveness. Singapore, as the Minister has described, has hosted various events, such as the World Chess Championships and the Olympic Esports Week as well. These, to me, are not fringe pursuits. They are globally recognised domains of excellence as well.

At the same time, I do appreciate the Bill's careful calibration that recognising the sports may not automatically mean equal funding or blanket support. SportSG retains the discretion to assess governance standards, athlete pathways and alignment with national objectives. This, to me, is important. We should be inclusive without being indiscriminate. Public resources must continue to be stewarded carefully and transparently.

I would, however, ask SportSG to continue communicating clearly with the public on how decisions are made, especially when certain popular activities may not receive immediate support, because transparency helps us to build trust, even when not all aspirations can be funded immediately.

Third, Mr Deputy Speaker, on uplifting standards across the sports industry. Because as participation grows, standards matter more, not less.

The Bill provides SportSG with the mandate to establish and maintain quality standards and codes of practice for coaching, equipment, facilities and accreditation systems. I support this direction. Parents entrust their children to coaches. Athletes entrust their bodies and careers to training systems. Recreational participants as well deserve safe environments and competent instruction. Standards protect not only performance but more importantly the people who participate.

I note the assurance that SportSG does not seek to become a regulator at this point in time and that standards will not, at this moment, be legally binding. This calibrated approach is sensible. It allows the sector to mature, to professionalise and to align voluntarily around best practices. Initiatives, such as the Safe Sport Commission, the NROC and the NREP, have already raised confidence across the ecosystem. I would encourage SportSG to continue engaging multiple stakeholders, especially smaller clubs and independent coaches, so that standards uplift rather than exclude. Because professionalism should be enabling, not burdensome.

Over time, Mr Deputy Speaker, as the sector continues to mature, there may be merit in reviewing whether certain baseline protections should become mandatory. But the present approach, to me, strikes the right balance between leadership and flexibility.

Fourth and lastly, on holistic education and career support for our athletes. Mr Deputy Speaker, perhaps the most far-reaching amendment in this Bill is the empowerment of SportSG to establish and oversee institutions that develop our national athletes across both sporting and academic domains.

The consolidation of the SSP and the High Performance Sport Institute into a single entity represents a significant shift in how we think about our athlete development. For too long, young athletes have been forced to navigate parallel systems – one focused on sporting excellence; another on academic progression. Integration therefore allows us to design truly athlete-centric pathways, where education and sports reinforce rather than compete with each other.

The SSP retaining its identity as a school is important. Education must remain a pillar, not as a concession. But strengthening its role as the education arm of our high-performance system ensures that sporting ambition does not come at the expense of future options.

The planned relocation of SSP to Kallang, alongside national training centres, sports science and sports medicine facilities, is particularly promising. It signals a whole-of-ecosystem approach to Team Singapore development, from youth to elite levels. We will miss the school in the North West district, but we wish it well when it does relocate.

I do look forward to further details at the COS, particularly on how athlete welfare, dual career planning and post-sporting transitions will be strengthened under this consolidated model. Our duty is not just to produce champions but to ensure that those who wear the Singapore crest proudly emerge with dignity, resilience and viable futures beyond sport.

Mr Deputy Speaker, taken together, these amendments reflect a maturing sporting nation in Singapore; a nation that values inclusion alongside excellence; participation alongside performance; standards alongside accessibility; and ambition alongside with a caring ecosystem.

SportSG's growing role must continue to be exercised with humility, partnership, accountability and transparency. Sport thrives not by central control but by enabling communities, athletes, volunteers as well as professionals to flourish together. I support this Bill because it provides the right statutory foundation for the next phase of Singapore sports, a phase that is more inclusive, more diverse, more professional and more humane. One team, one dream, one Singapore. Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the Bill.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Mr Fadli Fawzi.

5.06 pm

Mr Fadli Fawzi (Aljunied): Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the intent of the Bill. The sporting landscape has evolved significantly since the Act was first passed in 1973 and it is only right that our legislative framework reflects modern realities. It is a pragmatic step forward to expand the definition of "sport" to include mind sports and e-sports and explicitly incorporate physical fitness activities.

However, as we expand the remit and powers of the Singapore Sports Council, which is now renamed SportSG, we must ensure that these changes are fiscally sustainable and do not inadvertently stifle the local private sector. I have two broad areas of clarification for the Minister: one related to funding dilution and alternative funding streams, and the other to the manufacture of sporting and fitness equipment.

The expansion of SportSG's functions to include e-sports and mind sports is a significant undertaking. These are rapidly growing fields that require specialised infrastructure, coaching and international participation. Does the Government plan to increase SportSG's budget to account for these new categories? My concern is that if SportSG's budget remains stagnant, we risk diluting the financial support currently available to athletes involved in traditional sports. We must ensure that a "win" for e-sports does not come at the cost of a "loss" for other programmes, such as track and field or swimming.

In light of this, would it be prudent to expand the scope of section 8(d) of the principal Act to explicitly allow SportSG to enter into strategic partnerships with commercial entities and other organisations? By leveraging on private sector funding, SportSG can alleviate the burden on the public purse.

It goes without saying that athlete training is very expensive, as we can see from the experiences of our own Olympic medallists. To support Joseph Schooling's training in the United States, his parents – Colin and May Yim Schooling – had to spend more than $1 million, including selling a house in Perth and cashing out an endowment plan. Maximilian Maeder estimated that the cost of training and competing at his level to be around €250,000 a year. He was supported by a three-year sponsorship agreement with local beverage company, Yeo Hiap Seng, or better known as Yeo's, and the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation, demonstrating how corporate sponsors and external partners can help to chip in to groom more elite athletes for Singapore.

I hope that the Ministry and SportSG can develop comprehensive strategies to institutionalise the role of corporate sponsorship in funding athlete training and expand the Sports Excellence Programme (spex) Schemes to support high-performing athletes. We need a sustainable model where the state is not the sole benefactor but a facilitator for private sector investment in our sporting talent.

In addition to the funding perspective, for e-sports specifically, the e-sport ecosystem is unique because the "arenas", namely the games themselves, are intellectual property owned by private publishers. To run programmes or tournaments, SportSG will necessitate a different level of commercial engagement than traditional sports. How does SportSG intend to navigate these proprietary hurdles?

Mr Deputy Speaker, the Bill will retain section 8(k) of the principal Act as Section 8(l), which allows SportSG to "to prepare, manufacture and supply any equipment and items used for sports or physical fitness activities". I would like to ask the Minister to clarify whether SportSG has previously used these powers to manufacture equipment and if not, what is the intention for SportSG to retain these powers?

Traditionally, the Government procures from the private sector to stimulate the economy and benefit from market competition. Is there a specific gap in the market that SportSG is trying to fill?

In addition, the new section 8(m) will allow SportSG "to establish and maintain codes of practice or conduct, guidelines or standards in relation to any equipment, items and facilities used for sports or physical fitness activities." This creates a potential conflict of interest. If SportSG is both the regulator in setting the standards and the supplier in manufacturing the equipment, how do we ensure a level playing field with the private sector? How can we avoid a situation where SportSG sets the standards that unfairly disadvantage private competitors?

While I support the promotion of physical fitness, I believe the Government should be a catalyst rather than a competitor. If SportSG begins manufacturing fitness equipment at scale, it could inadvertently crowd out local retailers and manufacturers who operate on thin margins. I hope the Minister can provide assurances that these new powers will be used judiciously and only when the private sector is unable or unwilling to provide the necessary equipment.

In summary, while I welcome the modernisation of SportSG's remit, we must be wary of over-extension. I hope that the Minister can clarify how the Ministry will continue to increase support for our athletes and whether leveraging private sector resources is an active consideration and explain how it intends to use SportSG's powers to regulate and manufacture sports equipment. Mr Deputy Speaker, notwithstanding these clarifications, I support the Bill.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Dr Hamid Razak.

5.13 pm

Dr Hamid Razak (West Coast-Jurong West): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support the Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill 2025 and I would like to declare my interest as a committee member of the Singapore Hockey Federation.

The Bill reflects an important recognition that the meaning of sport has evolved in today's society. Sport is no longer confined to traditional physical competition alone. It encompasses physical fitness, high-performance sport, community participation, mind sports and increasingly, e-sports. In fact, aside from the Edusave Merit Bursary Award ceremony in my constituency, the other event that attracted so many youths to participate was the e-sports carnival. In this respect, the amendments before us are timely and reflect the lived realities of how Singaporeans engage with sports and physical activity.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I welcome the expanded definition of "sports" to include mind sports and e-sports, as well as the explicit inclusion of physical fitness activities within the Council's functions. This reflects a broader and more inclusive understanding of sport – one that recognises its role not only in elite competition but also in public health, mental well-being and social cohesion.

I have seen first-hand many e-sports groups in my constituency and the role they play, not just in the expanded definition of sports but also in its innate ability to bring people, particularly our youths, together in a productive and positive way to hone and pit their skills against one another, to build communities and deep networks. They were, however, usually hampered by a lack of resources and funding, in part because they were measured against the frameworks used for traditional sports.

By including such new sports under the Council's mandate, the Bill gives them an opportunity to blossom and flourish under a focus on financing and talent development, while allowing them to develop their own frameworks with the Council.

In addition, by extending the Council's mandate to planning and promoting physical fitness activities, the Bill strengthens SportSG's ability to support national priorities, such as preventive health, active ageing and lifelong participation in sport. This aligns well with our broader efforts to encourage healthier lifestyles and to reduce long-term healthcare costs.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also support the expanded functions and powers of the Council, particularly in areas such as research in sports science and sports medicine, the establishment of standards and codes of practice, and the provision of educational and career support for active and retired sportspersons.

On that note, this Bill is timely as the aspect of the proposed legislation comes on the back of the recently concluded SEA Games in Thailand where Minister earlier said the Team Singapore did commendably well in several sports, despite some challenges.

We can see from the public discourse, involving members of the sporting fraternity but engulfing the wider public too, that Singapore expects and desires more for sports. We have seen enough in the past decade that our athletes can reach the very top of their fields with the right support, perseverance and opportunities. We can certainly do more to support them.

Athletes today face increasingly complex demands – balancing training, education, competition and eventual transition out of sport. The explicit recognition of career and educational support in the Act is an important signal that we value not just sporting excellence, but the long-term well-being of our sportspersons as individuals.

The provision allowing the Council to establish institutions or entities for the development and training of sportspersons, including oversight of their academic progression and curricula with the approval of MOE, also reflects a more integrated and holistic approach to the development of our athletes.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I note as well the increase in the maximum number of Council members and the corresponding adjustment to the quorum requirements. This should provide flexibility to ensure that the Council has access to a broader range of expertise, including in emerging areas such as e-sports, sports science and physical fitness promotion, while still maintaining sound governance and decision-making processes.

While I am broadly supportive of the Bill, I would like to raise two points for consideration.

First, on the inclusion of mind sports and e-sports. While their recognition under the Act is appropriate and forward-looking, it will be important to maintain some clarity of purpose and proportionality in how resources, funding and institutional attention are allocated.

Traditional sports, community sports, school sports and disability sports continue to play a critical role in fostering physical health, teamwork, resilience and social integration. As new sports such as e-sports grow in prominence, may I seek the assurance of the Minister that the Council will ensure that their development complements rather than crowds out existing sporting pathways, especially those that promote physical activity and broad-based participation.

Clear policy frameworks and differentiated strategies may help ensure that each category of sport is supported in a way that reflects its own distinct objectives and value to society.

Secondly, I would like to touch on the Council's expanded powers relating to the establishment of standards, accreditation and the manufacture or supply of sports and physical fitness equipment.

These powers surely can help raise professionalism, safety and quality across the sector. However, I would like to caution that their exercise should be calibrated and consultative, particularly where community clubs, volunteers, coaches and small operators are concerned. In particular, many in the new sports segments may still be developing and finding their feet and they may lack the track-record, experience, capabilities and resources at the same levels of more established sports organisations.

Over-regulation or overly rigid standards, if applied too uniformly, may inadvertently increase compliance burdens or even discourage grassroots initiatives. Therefore, may I seek the assurance of the Minister if the Council would adopt a graduated, risk-based approach, with appropriate consultation, transition periods and guidance – so that standards uplift the sector without stifling participation or innovation.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, more broadly, as SportSG's mandate expands, it may be useful to continue strengthening partnerships with schools, community organisations, disability sports bodies and private sector operators. Sport is most effective when it is embedded within communities and when national strategy is complemented by local ownership and ground-up energy. Sports in Singapore should always be accessible to all and not just the mandate of the elite professionals. Mr Deputy Speaker, in Tamil, please.

(In Tamil): Hon Deputy Speaker, when the great poet Mahakavi Bharathiyar sang "Run and play, child" he celebrated the joy and freedom of sports.

Starting with childhood and throughout life, sports strengthen us physically and mentally.

This Bill fortifies the belief that sports should be attainable by all despite age, skill or whatever one's background may be.

I wholeheartedly welcome this effort that brings communities together towards a common ground that fosters sports.

(In English): This Bill represents a thoughtful and necessary update to the Singapore Sports Council Act. It equips Sport Singapore with a broader mandate, modern tools and clearer authority to support sport, physical fitness and athlete development in a changing landscape. I raise my observations and clarifications to ensure that as we expand the scope of sport policy, we do so in a way that remains inclusive, balanced and anchored in the long-term interests of Singaporeans. With these remarks, I support the Bill, Mr Deputy Speaker.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik.

5.22 pm

Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik (Sengkang): Mr Deputy Speaker, before I address the Bill, I wish to begin by congratulating our athletes who represented Singapore at the 2025 SEA Games. They competed with heart, dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence. Every athlete who wore our national colours deserves our recognition and gratitude. They trained countless hours, made personal sacrifices and gave their absolute best for Singapore. To them I say, "Thank you. You have made us proud".

Yet, Mr Deputy Speaker, pride in our athletes' efforts must be accompanied by honest reflection on our sporting ecosystem. While our athletes competed admirably, our overall performance at the 2025 Games raises important questions about whether we are providing them with the support, infrastructure and strategic direction they need to succeed.

Singapore's medal tally and rankings demonstrate that despite investments over the years, we continued to face challenges in developing consistent sporting excellence across disciplines. When we compare our performance to regional neighbours, some with fewer resources but more strategic focus, it becomes clear that our current model requires serious examination. This is the context in which we consider the Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill 2025.

This Bill represents a significant evolution in how Singapore approaches sport, competition and athlete development. While I support the overall direction and intent of these reforms, I believe we must scrutinise the details carefully to ensure that good intentions translate into effective governance and tangible outcomes for our sporting community, outcomes that our athletes deserve.

Let me begin with what I welcome wholeheartedly – the formal recognition of Mind Sports. The Bill defines Mind Sports as a competitive game based on intellectual skill rather than physical skill such as chess or bridge. This is an important and overdue recognition. For too long, we have conflated sport with purely physical activity.

Yet, the chess player who trains for hours daily, analysing positions and studying strategy, demonstrates the same dedication, discipline and competitive spirit as any athlete. The bridge player who competes at international level exhibits mental stamina and strategic thinking that will challenge any sports person.

By bringing Mind Sports explicitly under SportSG mandate, we create formal pathways for these athletes – access to coaching standards and the possibility of structured support. This modernises our understanding of competitive excellence and acknowledges that mastery takes many forms.

However, Mr Deputy Speaker, I have significant concerns about the proposed expansion of the Council from 15 to 25 members, as outlined in clauses 4 and 5 of the Bill. The expansion by 10 additional members suggests the Government recognises the wider variety of sports and activities now falling under SportSG's purview. This is logical given we are adding mind sports and e-sports to the mix. But I must ask what is the strategic purpose of such a large Council?

From a governance perspective, larger councils are typically less effective, not more. Decision-making becomes slower, coordination more complex and accountability more diffuse. There is nothing preventing SportSG from establishing sub-councils or sport-specific working groups with external experts co-opted on an ad hoc basis. This would provide the specialised expertise needed without bloating the main governing body.

I therefore propose the following amendment that the maximum Council size remains unchanged at 15 members with provisions for establishing expert sub-committees as needed. A lean engaged Council of 15 will serve Singapore's sporting community far better than the sprawling body of 25 where attendance is optional. Our SEA Games performance demonstrates that we need decisive focused leadership, not a committee too large to be effective. Our athletes deserve better governance, not bigger committee.

Clause 6 proposes to amend section 8 to grant SportSG new powers to establish institutions for developing and training sports persons. This appears to pave the way for significant institutional restructuring.

I would like to ask the Minister: is this amendment intended to move SSP from MCCY's purview to the SportSG's jurisdiction? Are there other sport excellence schools planned in the pipeline that would similarly fall under SportSG's management? If so, what is being done to beef up the capabilities of the SportSG to take on these substantial new responsibilities? Managing educational institutions requires expertise in pedagogy, student welfare and academic administration, not just sports development.

Our performance at the 2025 Games provides a real-world benchmark. Despite years of investment and institutional development, what tangible improvements have we seen? Where are the success stories that justify continued investment in the current model? And where are the failures that demand course correction. Without this accountability for past spending, how can we have confidence in the expanded mandate proposed under this Bill? And without understanding what worked and what did not, how can we allocate future resources wisely?

Our athletes who completed at SEA Games 2025 worked with the system we gave them. If that system underperformed, the responsibility lies not with them, but with us, with the structures, funding and strategic direction we provided. We owe them answers before we ask them to trust a new expanded system.

Mr Deputy Speaker, clause 6 seeks to empower SportSG to provide educational and career support to athletes, both active and retired. This is genuinely welcome and represents a more holistic approach to athlete welfare.

For too long, talented young Singaporeans have hesitated to pursue sporting excellence because they feared an uncertain future after retirement. By providing structured educational pathways and career transition support, we make sports a viable life choice, not a risky gamble. This will unlock talent that currently goes untapped. Perhaps, if we have implemented such support earlier, we might have retained more athletes who could have contributed to stronger SEA Games' performances. How many potential medalists chose safer career paths because the sporting pathway seems too precarious?

However, I must ask, what about our past athletes? Many former national athletes, including those who represented us at previous SEA Games, struggle after retirement. Having sacrificed their peak earning years and educational opportunities for Singapore's sporting glory, some face financial difficulties, struggle to enter the workforce or lack credentials for career advancement.

Will the Government extend retroactive support to these past athletes who competed before such programme existed? They deserve consideration, not just those who benefit from future systems. These are athletes who paved the way, who competed when support was even more limited than it is today.

I will also propose practical support mechanisms. Could we provide additional CPF contributions for athletes who hit performance targets, including those who have represented Singapore at SEA Games and other regional competitions? Could SportSG support the healthcare needs of our past athletes, especially for conditions which were associated with their sporting careers, as brought up by Ms Sylvia Lim on 6 July 2023? These are athletes who have represented Singapore with pride, who have stood on podiums wearing our flag. Our 2025 SEA Games athletes and those who came before them surely deserve more that career counselling. We can provide concrete financial instruments that secure their futures.

Mr Deputy Speaker, this Bill contains much to support the recognition of mind sports, the commitment to athlete welfare and the modernisation of SportSG's functions. This represents genuine progress. But progress requires not just good intentions but sound governance and demonstrated accountability. A Council of 25 is a recipe for inefficiency. Expanded institutional responsibilities without demonstrated capability and accountability for past spending is putting the cart before the horse.

Our performance at the 2025 SEA Games should serve as a wake-up call. We cannot continue expanding mandates without first addressing the fundamental issues that have limited our sporting success. Our athletes gave everything at those Games. Now we must ensure that our institutions match their commitment with excellence of our own.

I urge the Minister to address these concerns directly. Show us the performance analysis from SEA Games: explain what went wrong and what will change. Demonstrate that SportSG has the capability on these expanded responsibilities, while also fixing the problems that led to disappointing results.

I also urge consideration of the amendments I have proposed: maintain the Council size at 15 and extend meaningful support to past athletes who have already served Singapore. We continue to believe that those who have already given their best years to Singapore's sporting glory deserve the same consideration in our promise to future athletes. Let us pass a Bill that is not just forward looking but also well-governed, adequately resourced, accountable and fair to all who have contributed to Singapore's sporting legacy.

Let us ensure that when we host or compete in future regional Games, we can point to this legislation as a turning point that led to sustained sporting excellence. Our athletes have done their part. Now it is time for us to do ours. Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker.

Mr Deputy Speaker: You have a clarification, Mr Alex Yam?

5.33 pm

Mr Alex Yam: Yes, Mr Deputy Speaker, just two clarifications for the hon Member. I note in his speech that he used the words that he proposes amendment, in terms of the size of the Council. Is the Member proposing a formal amendment to the Bill or is he making a suggestion?

Secondly, he has made an assertion that we should reflect on the results of the 2025 SEA Games. I am not sure by what measure he is referring to, because certainly in terms of medal haul, it was a record of 202 medals: I think 51 gold, 43 silver and 64 bronze. That is way more than what we had in 2023. So, I am not sure how he came to the conclusion that we did not perform better in 2025.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik, would you like to respond to the hon Member Mr Yam? He has two clarifications of you.

Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik: Okay, thank you to the hon Member for the clarification. So, for the first point that he made, it was a proposal. Sorry, if I mentioned "amendment". And for the second item, with regard to the performance during the 2025 SEA Games, even though we had broken a few records, there are some sports that were not doing well, for example, football and badminton.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Mr Alex Yam. Do you have clarifications arising out of what the Member said?

Mr Alex Yam: Yes, Mr Deputy Speaker. Thank you to the hon Member for the clarification. With regard to his clarification on the performance, I would like to clarify with him if it is accurate to say that he is referring to specific performances of specific sports during the SEA Games, rather than the overall performance which was markedly better in 2025 than in previous SEA Games.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik would you like to respond to that clarification of you?

Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik: So, in general, Singapore in terms of our region, I think we are still fifth, so, I guess there is still room for improvement, even though in terms of medal tally we had exceeded, as compared to previous years.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Any further clarifications? Next speaker, Ms Gho Sze Kee.

5.36 pm

Ms Gho Sze Kee (Mountbatten): Mr Deputy Speaker, please allow me to also extend my congratulations to Team Singapore for their showing at the 2025 SEA Games. They have flown our flag high and done our country proud. Well done, Team Singapore.

Their performance is a fitting backdrop for the passage of this particular Bill in the House and at this juncture I would also extend my best wishes to Team Singapore at the ASEAN Para Games next week.

Sir, Mountbatten has long been the sports hub in Singapore and not just because our ward is home to the Singapore Sports Hub complex, or now known as The Kallang. Sir, 22 Mountbatten residents donned the national colours to Thailand this year. Mountbatten is where many of our national sportsmen and sportswomen train, the home base of many NSAs and the Singapore National Olympic Council, the Singapore Disability Sports Council and SportSG itself. I especially look forward to the realisation of the Kallang Alive Master Plan when the Singapore Sports School will also find a new home in Mountbatten.

We should acknowledge that the Government has done a great deal for sports in Singapore. One only needs to take a walk around the Kallang precinct to see the physical embodiment of the Government's support and commitment. And it is not just the physical facilities and hardware. We have also built a very comprehensive support system for our high performance athletes, one which supports them from the start of their sporting career journey through their transition into a second career.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Today, the various spex schemes support our athletes. Many of them receive a monthly stipend to a maximum cap of $804,000 dollars a month, and recently with CPF top-ups. Emerging athletes can receive a smaller amount through spexPotential. Non-full-time athletes can receive spexTraining Assistance Grants and tap into spexGLOW, which provides monetary offsets for loss of income for athletes taking time off in the run up to Major Games. There is also spexEducation for athletes to pursue tertiary studies during or after their sports career and spexCareer to help athletes transition into new careers after sports.

In the past two years, more than $500 million dollars was allocated annually to SportSG to support our sports ecosystem. This underscores the Government's commitment and resolve to support our sports ecosystem. And yet, there have been many calls for the Government to do more, more and yet more for sports in Singapore. To show more commitment, to provide further support to sports and our athletes. Much has been said about how Singapore can win more medals.

There are a few thoughts that I must share. Firstly, it is easy to dismiss that $500 plus million dollars a year is not enough and that we can always do more. But then so too would $1 billion, $2 billion, or $4 billion be not enough. It costs nothing to ask for more. But this is a zero-sum game. We must always keep in mind the big picture. Our national resources are finite and there are many competing priorities of Government that are essential to our nation: defence, education, healthcare, transport, homeland security, national infrastructure, housing, the environment and so on.

Indeed, even for MCCY itself, sports is just one aspect of their broader remit that also includes our arts scene, community and youths. While support for sports is important, it must be balanced against the broader national responsibilities and prudent allocation of resources.

Next, we must also keep in mind that SportSG's mandate is not just limited to high performance sports and medal tallies alone. SportSG also has the larger social and community mission of fostering inclusion, cohesion and bonding through sports, as well as encouraging personal character building and fostering an active, healthy lifestyle in the larger community. The payout to our society from this mission is just as meaningful and important to our society as nurturing medal winning athletes, if not more so.

Intra community sporting events such as the Pesta Sukan and the Singapore Urban Sports and Fitness Festival, our ActiveSG framework, public sports facilities like our neighbourhood swimming pools and stadiums are all part of this mission.

The other point is the cold hard reality of elite competitive sports. It is brutal and unforgiving. The calculus is Darwinian. For every podium finisher and every gold medal, many more would have fallen short by the wayside. This is something that we must confront honestly. Elite sporting careers are also inherently short. Physical ageing is a reality for every one of us, athletes included. The hard truth is that the majority of our sportsmen and sportswomen will not succeed in reaching the pinnacle of their sport, nor will they succeed in making sports a viable long-term career.

This is the reality many of our athletes face. Yet many postpone, disrupt or forgo education and career development during their peak years in order to pursue excellence in sports. It is an enormous personal sacrifice and takes grit and courage. Our focus therefore cannot be limited to how athletes perform during their competitive years alone but also must extend to how they emerge after them.

To me, the benchmark of our support of our athletes should never be the number of medals they have won. Instead, it should be measured by how well we stand by them after the stadium lights dim and how we help them, regardless of their sporting success, to succeed in life beyond sport.

I note that SportSG has already does this. Its support ecosystem that provides holistic education and career transition assistance to athletes is especially commendable.

To me, the most important sub programmes within the spex framework are spexEducation and spexCareer because these programmes are designed to equip our athletes with the qualifications, skills and pathways to successfully transition into post sports life. I look forward to further announcements on such holistic support for our athletes that will be forthcoming in the Committee of Supply debates.

A common theme that often arises in this House when we discuss support for sports and athletes is that it takes a village. When it comes to funding and resources, that village naturally includes the corporate world. Another invariable point is the disparity in medal prize money awarded for the Olympics and the Paralympics. I do not disagree. Our corporate world can and should do much more. But since we have been on hard truths and harsh realities, I would like to offer up more of them.

The hard truth is that we are a tiny country. Our size translates to a small commercial audience and domestic market. That makes the commercialisation of professional sports and athletes difficult. The struggles of the S League demonstrate this. Our corporate world, too, despite our outsized economy, is quite small, with a correspondingly small sponsorship pie.

Mr Speaker, I shall not belabour the point on prize money disparity. Too many others have already done so but allow me to float an idea. With respect to the work of SNOC and the National Paralympic Council, I propose that these two bodies can be merged.

This Bill essentially recognises the Singapore National Paralympic Council as a key partner to SportSG, similar to SNOC. A merger between them will be the natural next step.

There are many advantages to such a merger. At a minimum, it would reduce duplication of effort and allow the sharing of common resources, saving costs. More importantly, a merged body will make corporate funding easier and strategic by presenting a large and unified front to sponsors. It will also have more clout.

It offers greater value to corporate sponsors and prevents the cannibalisation of each Council's share of Singapore's already limited sponsorship pool. Such a merger sends a strong and unequivocal message about equality and inclusion, signalling that we value and support all Team Singapore athletes, abled or differently abled, equally. Within this unified entity, we shall no longer see two separate and different sized and medal sized pools. Countries, such as South Africa, Denmark and the Netherlands, have already done so.

Furthermore, such a merger already has a public face. There already exists a unified corporate identity in Team Singapore, which brings Olympics and Paralympics athletes together under one marketing banner.

Mr Speaker, I recognise that they are two independent bodies, but the Government and SportSG can do much to encourage and facilitate the realisation of this idea. I hope MCCY, SportSG and the respective councils can give this idea some serious consideration. I support the Bill.

Mr Speaker: Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh.

5.47 pm

Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh (Nominated Member): Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill and the direction it sets for SportSG in shaping Singapore's sporting future. I do want to also congratulate our Team Singapore athletes at the recent SEA Games. I spent 10 days with them and cheering them on. So, I do apologise as my voice is still recovering from those 10 days of cheering. I do want to also declare my interest as the President of Singapore Aquatics, an NSA.

In supporting this Bill, I will focus on three areas. First, how we expand participation and inclusion in ways that strengthen our sporting base; second, why uplifting standards and professionalising coaching are essential as participation grows; and third, why high-performance sport remains vital, not just for medals, but for the values it inculcates in society and the sense of who we are as a nation.

First, I welcome the expanded definition of sport to include e-sports and mind sports, in line with wider local and international developments. This recognises that structured competitive activities can take different forms and allows more Singaporeans, across different interests, abilities and life circumstances to participate meaningfully in sport, whether recreationally or at higher levels.

The Singapore Chess Federation, for example, runs regular programmes in prisons and in rehabilitation settings, showing how mind sports, like chess, can provide structure, discipline and engagement even in higher constrained environments. In the same spirit of inclusivity, I also strongly support the continued emphasis on disability sports through the recognition of the SNPC as a key partner.

This amendment, together with the refreshed DSMP signals a sustained commitment to ensuring that sport remains accessible and meaningful for Singaporeans of all abilities and affirms inclusion as a core principle of our sporting ecosystem.

For Singaporeans who may not be drawn to organised sport, but simply want to stay active, bringing the promotion of physical fitness squarely within SportSG's functions is critical. It allows SportSG to lead in creating accessible everyday opportunities for Singaporeans to keep active from neighbourhood ActiveSG programmes to platforms, like the Singapore Urban Sports and Fitness Festival. And the impact is clear. The proportion of Singaporeans who exercise regularly has risen, from 65% in 2018, to 74% in 2024.

So, taken together, these developments help Singaporeans stay active. They help them bond and it helps us strengthen our resilience in the community. But as participation grows, ensuring sport is safe and well conducted becomes even more important.

Coaching quality, facility standards and codes of conduct matter even more, not just for performance, but for safety and longer-term participation. In particular, professionalising coaching at the developmental level is critical, as research shows that early experiences strongly influence whether young people remain engaged in sport.

And so, this is why initiatives, like the NROC, matter. The certification is meant to signal professional standards and support better remuneration. But its impact is limited when certification is not consistently required across all instances where sports coaching is practised. For instance, a coach whose NROC registration is suspended may be restricted from coaching at ActiveSG facilities. But they can still coach in a privately-owned non-ActiveSG facility. Without the stronger reach to uphold standards, the professionalisation of sports coaching is weakened and, more crucially, it also puts our young athletes at risk.

In this regard, I would ask the Government to consider whether SportSG should be given greater discretion, not only to set standards but, when necessary, to make them binding across sporting and fitness settings beyond ActiveSG-managed facilities. This is important in context involving youth instruction where safety and proper conduct are paramount.

In the meantime, uplifting standards must remain a shared responsibility. Our NSAs already work with SportSG to require NROC certification for official roles in NSA-sanction activities. I know in schools as well, many schools require coaches with NROC certification. But the clubs, sporting organisations, they can also make recognised certification a requirement when engaging coaches. Parents, too, play a role. They can ask about certification, encourage coaches to attend professional development courses organised by SportSG or CoachSG, and support remuneration that reflects a coach's training and qualifications.

Mr Speaker, when we professionalise coaching in this way, we improve performance outcomes as well as safety, retention and the quality of sporting experiences.

This brings me to a related point about how athlete development is organised under this Bill. I support the intent behind clause 6(k) which empowers SportSG to develop and train sports persons, particularly at the national and elite levels where a more centralised approach can strengthen high performance.

But at the same time, I seek assurance and clarification on how this role will be exercised alongside existing developmental pathways. In several sports, early-stage development is already being carried out by private clubs and private organisations working closely with the NSAs. They play an important role in building the pipeline. Could the Government clarify that SportSG's approach under clause 6(k) is not to crowd out these developmental programmes by competing with them, nor to leave them to compete freely over a fixed pool of resources, like previous Members have mentioned, but instead, to support a complementary and sustainable ecosystem?

In particular, I would appreciate clarification on how SportSG intends to work with NSAs to identify and support credible development partners that are aligned with national objectives, meet governance and safeguarding standards and contribute meaningfully to athlete development.

Mr Speaker, while participation forms the base of our sporting system, high performance competitive sport defines its peak. We must, therefore, continue to remain attentive to how we support those who represent the nation at the highest levels. Excellence and Major Games, such as the Olympics, play a unique role in our national consciousness. It projects Singapore's identity. It builds pride and creates moments of collective unity.

Many of us will remember Joseph Schooling's gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. It was not just that he won, but how he won, defeating the legendary Michael Phelps in a race that ended in a rare three-way tie for silver. That race reminded Singaporeans that, on the biggest stage, against the greatest in the world, we can still make our mark.

More recently and closer to home, at the SEA Games, we witnessed that same inspiration expressed in different ways. We saw history made as hurdler Calvin Quek and diver Avvir Tham, each ended longstanding gold medal droughts for Singapore in their respective events, achievements not seen since our Independence in 1965. What a gift for SG60.

But high performance sport is not only about individual triumphs or podium finishes. It is also about how athletes respond when their team needs them. In men's table tennis, Josh Chua was stretched off after twisting his left ankle. Yet, he chose to return to the court and played on, determined to contribute whatever he could for the team. While he might have lost his game, that decision to carry on despite being injured, had a galvanising impact which lifted his teammates Koen Pang and Izaac Quek, who themselves were battling illness and injury and helping Team Singapore retain the gold in the men's team event.

Team work is about putting the team above itself, even in sports, like swimming, that are often seen as individual. We are familiar with the women's four by 100-metre medley relay at the SEA Games which illustrates this powerfully where we saw our senior swimmers Letitia Sim, Quah Ting Wen and Quah Jing Wen supporting 14-year-old debutant Julia Yeo, who was notified at the last minute to swim in place of an injured teammate. But what was less known was that at the same time that Julia was called, another reserve for the relay, 15-year-old Victoria Lim, also a SEA Games debutant, was also asked to stand by to compete in what would have been the biggest race of her career.

Ultimately, the decision was made to go with Julia. For Victoria, that decision was understandably disappointing. We know the team won and so she lost out on having that chance for the gold medal as well. Yet, Victoria accepted the decision with quiet stoicism. She put the team ahead of her own disappointments and stood firmly behind her teammates without hesitation. I am happy to add that I met Victoria and her parents two weeks ago. After a short vacation, she was back in the pool, more determined than ever to represent Team Singapore at Major Games and to make the nation proud.

But that moment, for me, it captures what a "we first" Singapore looks like. Putting the Team first sometimes means being prepared to step aside, even at personal loss, so that the Team can succeed.

Mr Speaker, high performance sport brings these values to life in a salient way, reminding Singaporeans that while we may be small in numbers, we are united, disciplined, resilient and capable of standing our ground on the world stage. And it is precisely because high-performance sport carries this national meaning and because it is inherently resource-intensive, we must approach it with focus and intent.

And so, even as we expand opportunities for participation and inclusion, we must be careful not to spread ourselves too thin. This calls for a pragmatic strategic approach, guided by a long-term view of elite sport development.

So, if in the spirit of inclusion, we want to support a wider range of emerging sports, and if, in the spirit of excellence, we also want to sustain high performance competitive sport, then we must expand the pool of funding available to the sector.

In this regard, there is untapped potential in engaging the private corporate sector more deliberately, as some Members have mentioned, but what I would suggest is to engage them as private donors as the commissioner of charities, annual reports consistently show, sport receives the smallest share of charitable donations. To complement MCCY's One Team Singapore Fund matching grant scheme, perhaps the Ministry could explore additional mechanisms to make it more attractive for private sector partners to donate.

In this context, I wish to express my strong support for the amendment empowering SportSG to oversee the consolidated entity formed from the SSP and the High Performance Sport Institute. This is a significant and forward looking move.

While education and high performance sport require different professional expertise, for athletes, many of whom are still in school, these domains are deeply entangled. They are not separate. As a former national athlete myself, I can attest that these were challenges that I faced awhile back when I was still an athlete and it is an issue that our athletes still face today. And so, it is commendable that SportSG is actively addressing this issue.

The training demands, academic commitments, recovery and family life intersect daily for our athletes. And so, by acting as an integrator – aligning education, training and support, SportSG reduces fragmentation, eases the burden on families and strengthens development pathways; and importantly, this makes high performance sport more accessible to a broader range of Singaporeans.

Mr Speaker, taken together, this Bill strengthens our sporting ecosystem from base to peak. It broadens participation and inclusion, uplift standards and professionalism and sustains high performance sports, so that it inspires us as one united people. For these reasons, I support the Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill.

Mr Speaker: Ms Valerie Lee. From one national athlete to a competitive bowler.

6.02 pm

Ms Valerie Lee (Pasir Ris-Changi): Mr Speaker, rise in support of the Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill. I would like to declare my personal connection to sports in Singapore. I am currently serving in my first term as the Deputy President of the Singapore Dragonboat Association, together with hon Member Mr Alex Yeo and was formerly a National Youth Athlete in ten-pin bowling under the National Youth Development Programme. I was a beneficiary of the original Sports Excellence 2000 scheme.

Although I left competitive bowling more than two decades ago, I have watched, with great interest, how Singapore sports have evolved since then and our laudable approach in harnessing the potential of our local talents. In the sport of ten-pin bowling, our young bowlers have gone on to win world championships and broadly, our athletes now train with more structured pathways.

More importantly, our sporting ecosystem has grown to support not just elite performance, but also inclusion and participation across the community. For example, I understand that there are at least nine para inclusive teams in the dragon-boating community with an estimated 250 para athletes who might be physically or intellectually impaired.

I have seen first-hand the discipline and commitment required of all athletes, the importance of strong governance and access to facilities and the impact of initiatives that broaden opportunity – all of which are directly supported and reinforced by the reforms in this Bill.

The amendments to the Singapore Sports Council Act updates our legislative framework to better reflect the current sporting environment in Singapore. They clarify the role of Sport Singapore, strengthen governance and recognise a wider range of sporting activities, while continuing to support both high performance sport and mass participation.

I will speak on three areas: first, the amended definition of sports, second, the expanded role of SportSG; and third, the formal recognition of the Singapore National Paralympic Council, followed by some clarifications for the Ministry.

On the expanded definition of sports. This Bill updates the statutory definition of sport to reflect how participation and competition have evolved, by including mind sports and e-sports. Mind sports, such as chess and bridge are internationally governed with their international federations recognised by the International Olympic Committee. These disciplines have also featured as medal events in major multi-sport competitions, including the Asian Games.

E-sports have similarly developed into structured and regulated competitive activities. They were included as official medal events at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou and most recently at the 2025 SEA Games. At the elite level, competitors in mind sports and e-sports undergo systematic training, compete under sustained pressure and commit years to preparation and performance. These characteristics are consistent with what we already recognise in high performance sport.

Mr Speaker, the expanded definition should be understood as complementary and not a departure from our continued support for traditional physical sports. Many athletes continue to train over long periods, often while balancing work or study and have to rely on a stable and well-governed sporting ecosystem. This Bill preserves the statutory framework that enables that support. By recognising a broader range of sporting activities, the Bill allows our policies to remain relevant to evolving participation patterns, while continuing to uphold high standards of sporting integrity and excellence.

On the expanded role of SportSG. The Bill strengthens SportSG's mandate to establish and uphold standards across coaching, equipment, facilities and accreditation. In doing so, it reinforces a clear principle: high standards are not optional in sport, they are foundational. This is particularly important in Singapore's context, where most athletes are not full-time professionals.

For many, sport is pursued alongside education or employment. Our system must therefore support not just peak performance, but the whole athlete and the full sporting journey, including welfare, career pathways and transitions beyond competitive sport, recognising that only a small proportion remain in high performance sport for life.

The Bill also reinforces SportSG's role in promoting physical activity across the population. With a super aged society in Singapore, physical activity is no longer only a sporting issue, it is a public health imperative. Regular activity supports physical health, mental well-being and independence among seniors. By strengthening SportSG's mandate, we invest not only in sport, but in healthier ageing and a more resilient society.

Mr Speaker, I turn to the partnership with the Singapore National Paralympic Council, which is an important feature of the Bill. Singapore first competed at the Paralympic Games in the 1980s and our Paralympians won their first medals at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. Since then, they have continued to represent Singapore with distinction at subsequent Games. Their achievements remind us that sporting excellence is not defined by ability, but by determination and by performance.

The Singapore National Paralympic Council plays a critical role in supporting these athletes from development pathways to high performance preparation. Formal recognition of the Singapore National Paralympic Council as a key partner sends a clear signal: inclusive sport is not peripheral, it is integral to our national sporting framework. By affirming this partnership in statute, the Bill reinforces a fundamental principle – that access to opportunity, support and excellence in sport should be open to all who have the commitment to pursue it.

But Mr Speaker, I do have a few clarifications to make. First, on Council Membership. Under the amendment to section 4, membership of the Council will increase to a maximum of 25 members, up from 15, previously. I seek clarification on the rationale for this increase, as well as the criteria used in appointing Council members. In a public body with such influence, how members are chosen is not just administrative – it is a question of integrity, trust and accountability. Singaporeans deserve transparency.

Specifically, given challenges unique to Singapore's sporting landscape, including the realities faced by non-full-time athletes and gaps in support for certain sports, how will the Council's composition address these issues? Will experience from countries facing similar constraints be considered? A Council that reflects these realities will be one that can make fair, informed and relevant decisions. The increase in membership numbers can then be justified.

Next, on athlete support and the spex awards. I note the introduction of the spexEducation Undergraduate Scholarship, with the inaugural 12 scholars awarded in April 2025. They hail from sports, such as fencing, swimming, shooting, wushu and silat – truly deserving athletes who exemplify dedication and excellence.

However, I would like to ask how scholars are chosen. How the Government determines the number of scholarships each year and whether athletes in mind sports and e-sports will be considered in the future? Will there be a clear, publicly available framework explaining how criteria are applied? Transparency here is not optional; it empowers athletes to plan their careers and chase excellence with confidence.

Lastly, on making sports facilities accessible to all. Under the amendment to section 8, SportSG will oversee the management of sports facilities. Will it be able to address situations where community organisations or individuals face difficulties booking national facilities, especially at the recently rebranded The Kallang, even when they appear unused for large periods of time?

Given SportSG's expanded role, clear guidelines and fair processes are essential. Access to facilities must be a right, not a privilege. In addition, I would like to raise the potential of unused open grounds and vacant land in the country being made available for short-term sporting use. In my line of work, I have seen how the Government pragmatically allows vacant industrial land under JTC to be leased out on a short-term basis for solar energy generation. This ensures land does not sit idle while still retaining long-term planning flexibility.

That same principle can and should be applied to sports. Temporarily unused open spaces can be leased to sports organisations and community groups to create facilities for training, grassroots programmes and competitions. This not only maximises land use efficiency, but also lowers barriers to participation, supports community sport and allows SportSG to meet demand without waiting for a permanent infrastructure. Efficient access strengthens trust, encourages participation and ensures our sporting ecosystem works for everyone in the country.

Mr Speaker, I would appreciate the Ministry's clarifications on the above matters. And notwithstanding these questions, I support the Bill, because it strengthens SportSG, supports our athletes and ensures opportunities for sporting excellence are truly open to all in a country. And to put on record, I thank Team Singapore for showing us what resilience looks like, because these athletes do not need a wake-up call. They have been answering the call of duty every single day. [Applause.]

Mr Speaker: Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim.

6.13 pm

Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim (East Coast): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join many hon Members of this House, appreciating our sporting talents, particularly for the strong showing at the SEA Games, as well as the Asian Youth Para Games, where athletes showed impressive debuts.

Much like the hon Member Kenneth Goh, I tag key pivotal moments to memories. I remembered Joseph Schooling winning the first ever gold medal for Singapore in Olympics. I was at the newsroom, and like the rest of my colleagues, holding our breaths. Similarly, this year, when Diyanah Aqidah and Nicholas Khaw won Singapore's first gold of the season in taekwondo, no less after a drought, I remembered being at a healthcare institution visiting a patient who also rejoiced when the app alert came in. Similarly, when our 12-year-old athlete won a medal in sailing, and this was Anya Zahedi, I remembered being at a community event where grassroots leaders also rejoiced when receiving the notification that such a young sporting talent was able to achieve significant success in a sporting arena.

Continuing down memory lane, like most Singaporeans, my core memories of school, for the learning journeys or excursions and of awesome Physical Education classes where we were introduced to new sport. In primary school, I learned to swim and was inspired by swim queen Joscelin. In secondary school, we played heaps of captain's and netball, inspired by the Vandas. And in my tertiary years, enjoyed rugby – always looking forward to the Sevens.

The competitive nature of sports is a longstanding one. However, beyond competition and sportsmanship, sports can also bridge communities, through shared experiences, as Singaporeans bond over a mutual love for a good game – football, cycling and pickleball.

In order for sports to continue strengthening our social cohesion, we should ensure sport is accessible to all Singaporeans beyond a privileged few, as the hon Dr Hamid has mentioned earlier. We should also ensure sport is accessible early, to young children and to persons with disabilities. Sports should not be the new measure of affluence. It should be accessible.

Beyond recreation, Singapore should also continue in our pursuit to ensure stronger support for our athletes and sporting organisations to help them succeed as they fly our flag proudly. This Bill must be poised to take sports in Singapore to the next chapter, and it has my support.

I am hopeful that the Bill will lower barrier to access and inclusivity in sports, ensure a balance of excelling in physical, mind and e-sports, as well as ensure holistic education and career support to young as well as professional athletes.

The refreshed DSMP unveiled last year reaffirmed the Government's sustained commitment to our differently abled athletes. It also underscored the importance of partnerships in building a robust and inclusive ecosystem.

I join several Members who have called for more participation from the corporate or private sectors to invest in our sporting talents. I also welcome the Bill's recognition of the Singapore National Paralympic Council as a key partner of SportSG. I am hopeful for Singapore to see an increase in the number of inclusive sporting facilities and skilled coaches who are attuned and also trained to the needs of our para-athletes, equipping them to empower themselves through sports.

Some athletes I spoke to, some para-athletes, in particular, are hopeful for increased resources including scholarships or funds to draw upon in their sporting journey. Their needs are significantly different and require wider support and expertise. I also welcome that this Bill formally recognises mind sports and e-sports – timely with the growing interest and traction. While recognition kickstarts the institutionalisation of mind sports, there must continue to be support for its growth. E-sports organisations and its stakeholders should also be able to expand their capabilities, organise training sessions and tournaments to be able to assess confidently as well as enhance the abilities of athletes.

E-sports, such as chess and bridge, present a unique opportunity for Singaporeans to engage with one another regardless of age or physical abilities. It is important to continue creating a positive and healthy environment to support the participation and training of Singaporean athletes by ensuring competence of coaches. It is also, however, equally important to ensure that e-sport and mind sport does not quite replace but compliments physical sport choices.

Additionally, the amendments will empower SportSG to establish institutions to develop and train national athletes, overseeing their sporting and academic pathways, expanding their versions of success. In particular, the consolidation of the SSP and the High-Performance Sport Institute, should enhance end-to-end service delivery across the youth and senior athlete spectrum. The SSP will retain its identity as a school while strengthening its role as the education arm of high-performance sport systems.

In September, I raised a Parliamentary Question (PQ) to ask on support for youth athletes juggling sporting and academic commitments. It is not an easy feat and I hope SportSG will continue to consider providing greater support for the holistic development of young athletes, many of whom are already facing high pressure situations and societal expectations. I believe it is important for the Government to recognise, appreciate and better support our child and young athletes and their families.

I recently met with A, a dedicated father who discovered sport as a coping mechanism for his first son. While the family sent, in Cantonese, "Kor Kor", for badminton coaching, they also discovered that their second son has potential, especially as he has been watching "Kor Kor" train on the sidelines. A shared with me that the family made a decision to get his second son to also start training early, since around preschool. With proper guidance, the second son was able to play confidently in matches beyond his age category. Investing in developing sporting expertise from a very young age is a long and costly journey.

Speaker, the profiles of our sporting talents are varied. One Fengshan resident, E, is a mom of one. She is also a professional boxer, representing Singapore in international matches. E shared with me of her challenges to train competitively, build a family, have a career and seek support to fund her journey.

I am hopeful that the refreshed Bill will see more inter-Ministry partnerships as well as people, private and public sector partnerships to support child athletes and their parents to have an earlier start and discover the pathways designed for the child's success as well as more partnerships so that professional women athletes, too, get the targeted support they need. Mr Speaker, in Malay, please.

(In Malay): Sports brings people together even if they have different views or support the opposing team. Sports can also transform lives and represent an opportunity that should ideally be accessible to all segments of society and not exclusive.

For sports to continue strengthening our social cohesion, we should ensure that sport is not merely confined to a selected few.

I recently met a resident, Mr A, a father who shared his challenges in supporting his children's badminton training expenses since preschool. He mentioned that several other parents share the hope that Singapore can encourage and support them, so that sporting talents can be spotted earlier and this will help develop budding athletes at an early age.

Additionally, support should be expanded for para-athletes, like Moza Alyka Baihakki who brought glory to Singapore. This includes improving coaching capabilities, ensuring we invest in infrastructure or facilities, and also potentially offering scholarships that provides them with support to further enhance their sporting abilities.

Therefore, the Government should enhance efforts to ensure stronger support for sporting bodies too so they can fly the Singapore flag high.

But most importantly, I hope this amendment will result in more people being able to participate in and excel at sport; having a balance in terms of encouragement and support for mind sports and physical sports; as well as providing holistic and constructive education for the development of young athletes, disabled athletes, women, and professional athletes.

(In English): Speaker, in gist, the intention of this Bill is to strengthen inclusivity, expand participation and provide better support for athletes of all forms. I therefore call on MCCY as well as the private sector to lend their support and do their best to ensure sport organisations have sufficient resources to support the ambitions and performance of our athletes, and to forge new partnerships with each other to ensure sports always remain relevant and accessible and also meaningful for all Singaporeans. Speaker, I support the Bill.

Mr Speaker: Ms Poh Li San.

6.23 pm

Ms Poh Li San (Sembawang West): Mr Speaker, I would like to declare that I am the President of the Singapore Table Tennis Association and hence, may be an interested party in some parts of this speech.

The Singapore Sports Council was set up in 1973 and renamed as Sport Singapore in 2014. The local sporting landscape has grown significantly and become more vibrant, especially over the past decade. The sporting ecosystem has also become more holistic and well-resourced.

Our national athletes are flying our Singapore flag high, with more podium finishes in the Olympics and other Major Games and world championships in recent years. More Singaporeans and residents are also participating in sports across different age groups and sports participation in Singapore has reached an all-time high, with 74% of residents aged 13 and above engaging in sports at least once a week, according to the latest National Sports Participation Survey conducted in 2022.

Across different parts of Singapore, there are high quality recreational sports facilities, such as ActiveSG sports stadiums, swimming pools, gyms and world-class competition venues, such as the OCBC Aquatic Centre. There is the MyActiveSG+ platform to book and use these facilities conveniently and affordably.

Indeed, we have much going on for us in Singapore.

This is a landscape populated by a whole community of sports administrators, coaches, athletes, guided by the vision to Live Better Through Sport, a vision set for Singapore sports for 2030. Singapore sports is growing in ambition and reach. The Singapore Sports Hub, which is now known as The Kallang, will become an integrated sports and events hub and will host major events, like the Women's Tennis Association 500, the HSBC Rugby Sevens Series and the National Day Parade in 2026. There will also be a new national training centre for local athletes and a new 18,000-seat indoor arena.

As part of the Kallang Alive Masterplan, the Singapore Sports School in Woodlands will shift to The Kallang. Sports tourism in Singapore is also experiencing a boom as more international sporting events are held here. For instance, the Standard Chartered Marathon, Singapore Rugby Sevens and the World Table Tennis Singapore Smash are some of the world-class sporting events that have attracted sports fans and their families to Singapore every year.

To realise Vision 2030 and live out the goals set for The Kallang Masterplan, there is indeed a need for deeper expertise and experience to develop the new specialised functions, such as precinct and infrastructure development, international sports events organisation as well as sports education and professional skills development. Moreover, significant Government funding for these infrastructure development and programme development will be required. Therefore, strong leadership and governance from the Sport Singapore Board is critical to ensure taxpayers' contributions allocated for sports development are not for an idealistic dream but is well-spent and will uplift our entire nation towards achieving better lives through sports.

The Sport Singapore Board will play a crucial role in this transformation journey. As with any Board, its duties include ensuring strong governance, management, accountability and alignment with key sporting goals. I, therefore, agree with the amendment to increase the Board from 15 to 25 members. The current Sport Singapore Board has a bench strength of 15 members and comprises members from the private, public sectors as well as national sports associations and athletes, directly appointed by the Minister for Community, Culture and Youth.

In the current Sport Singapore Board composition, seven out of 15 members have a finance-related professional background. Four members are from the public sector. Only one member is from a National Sports Association, one member from the Singapore National Olympic Council and one member is a Paralympian.

I would suggest that with 10 additional Board seats, the Board members should have a greater diversity of professional backgrounds and would, in turn, bring to the table wider industry networks. For instance, professionals or experts in sports education, sports psychology, sports tourism, community sports and senior sports would bring valuable insights and perspectives into technical capability building, community sports programming and sports excellence for the elite athletes.

Aside from looking at the number of members alone, we might also introduce other measures, such as term limits, which is good practice in the spirit of renewal. I recall that one previous Board Chairman had served 16 years. Last, when it comes to Board seats, it is not merely a numbers game but one of commitment, interest, expertise and passion. With more Board members bringing a wider breath of experience and networks as well as deeper expertise, SportSG is well placed to bring sports in Singapore to new and greater heights.

I would also like to pose a challenge to the better-resourced SportSG board, to aim for a more aspirational vision. Beyond improving the lives of individuals, sports can also uplift and bond the entire nation. In October 2021, I spoke in this House on how sports can bond Singaporeans together. Sports can strengthen our bodies and minds, toughen our fighting spirit and uplift our spirits during difficult times. Sports can also bring Singaporeans of different races and religions, socio-economic backgrounds together and be the unifying force that bonds and builds Singapore.

In the recent 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, Singapore sent the largest ever contingent of 930 athletes across 48 sports. A total of 202 medals were won, namely 52 golds, 62 silvers and 89 bronzes, the biggest medal haul ever.

I was in Thailand, Nonthaburi province to support our table tennis team which contributed four golds, one silver and two bronzes. I know how hard our athletes trained, the sacrifices they made and how hard they fought for every point. Each time the Singapore flag is raised and Majulah Singapura is sung, I felt immensely proud of what our young athletes have achieved.

I also met many Team Nila supporters, more than 200 of them who took time to travel to Thailand in support of our athletes competing in various sports. I also know of many Singaporeans back home who were glued to MeWatch, following the competitions and cheering for our athletes.

There were many inspiring moments that stole our hearts, seeing how our young athletes fought against their competitors to fly our Singaporean flag high. Many would remember how fencer, Amita Berthier, made a spectacular consecutive seven-point comeback to claim victory over her opponent and eventually claimed her third title in Women's Individual Foil event.

There was also 14-year-old swimmer Julia Yeo and her gungho can-do spirit. Despite being called on by her coach to replace her injured teammate just 20 minutes before the race, Julia – who had to borrow a swimsuit and a cap – did her personal best and helped the women's swim team win the women's 4x100-metre medley gold in a meet record time.

Julia is a symbol of all that sports can do – physical and mental strength, a spirit of overcoming and a pride and commitment to the process.

In 2029, Singapore will be hosting the 35th SEA Games and I hope that our whole nation will come together to support, volunteer and cheer for our athletes, coaches and other members of our sports community. The home ground support will give our athletes the extra boost to go the extra mile.

Sir, 2029 is just three years away. I look forward to the expanded SportSG Board, leading the sporting community towards this milestone SEA Games, rallying the whole of Singapore and bonding Singaporeans through sports. This Singapore spirit will be the most precious achievement, more than any number of gold medals. Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the amendment Bill.

Mr Speaker: Dr Charlene Chen.

6.33 pm

Dr Charlene Chen (Tampines): Mr Speaker, Sir, I must declare I am not as athletic or sporting as my colleagues but I do appreciate good sports and I want to thank our athletes, whether they win medals or not, they spent a lot of time training, the hard work that they put in, the stress that they faced and being in front of the nation, competing with the weight of the nation on their shoulders. I think we definitely should appreciate all of them and I would like to thank them.

Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill. This Bill recognises something many Singaporeans already know from lived experience – that the way we engage through sport has evolved. And our laws need to evolve with it.

But as we widen definitions and expand powers, it is worth pausing to ask not just what we enable, but how these changes will affect people differently – especially our youths, families with fewer resources, and athletes who are already under pressure.

As a psychologist, I see sport not only as physical activity or competition, but as part of a wider social system. When designed thoughtfully, it builds confidence, resilience and belonging. When it is not, it can unintentionally add stress and widen gaps.

I support the inclusion of mind sports and e-sports in our legal framework. Chess, bridge and competitive gaming have grown significantly in Singapore. Many young people already invest time, effort and identity in these activities. Recognising them signals that we acknowledge different forms of talent, including those based on cognitive skills.

At the same time, recognition also carries responsibility.

By defining e-sports as "sports" as sports, we are not just enabling support – we are shaping norms. We are signalling what is legitimate and encouraged. And that is why the conditions around recognition matter.

Many youths I meet are motivated and capable, but also increasingly tired. They spend long hours on screens – often alone, often under pressure – to perform, to rank and sometimes to secure opportunities like Direct School Admission (DSA).

A CNA-Institute of Policy Studies survey found that teenagers in Singapore spend more than eight hours a day on electronic devices, and about 60% struggle to reduce their screen time. This reflects a growing imbalance in how technology fits into young people's lives.

As SportSG extends support into this space, it would be useful to hear how governance frameworks will evolve to ensure that youth protection and athlete welfare remain central.

My question to the Ministry is a practical one: how will official recognition of e-sports be implemented in a way that does not normalise unhealthy screen habits, especially for youths who are already vulnerable?

Recognition should not mean endorsement without limits. For publicly supported programmes, it would be helpful to have clear expectations – around training hours, physical conditioning, sleep and posture education, and referral pathways when concerning behaviours emerge. These are not meant to restrict interest, but to protect well-being.

There is also a governance dimension we should consider. Unlike traditional sports, e-sports are not governed by independent federations. They are owned by private publishers, who control game rules, competition formats and even when a title continues to exist.

International research cautions that governance models dominated by commercial interests may not always align with public interest goals – particularly when it comes to athlete welfare, integrity and transparency.

Next, the expanded definition of sport also has implications for education. Sports-based DSA pathways have opened doors for many students. But families with more resources are often better positioned to invest in coaching, equipment, or overseas exposure. Others may opt out early, not because their children lack ability, but because the costs or uncertainty feel too high.

So, I would like to ask how schools will ensure fair and holistic evaluation for mind sports or e-sports DSA pathways, especially where physical benchmarks are less clear. It is important that these pathways support balanced development, rather than a narrow focus at a young age.

More broadly, inequality in sport often starts much earlier than we realise. Some families have the means and confidence to take risks. Others worry about what happens if their child invests heavily in sport but has limited options later on. That is why I strongly support the Bill's provision for educational and career support for both active and retired sportspersons. It helps reduce the sense that pursuing sport is an all-or-nothing decision.

But I would also ask whether we have sufficient early-stage, school- and community-based systems to identify and support talented youths from lower-resource families before gaps widen. If sport development is meant to start early, then access and reassurance for families need to start early too. These concerns are made more pressing by the reality that national sports funding is already constrained.

NSAs compete for funding based on alignment with Vision 2030, key performance indicators, governance standards and development plans. Athletes in traditional sports have raised concerns about gaps in institutional support, particularly beyond the top tier. International evidence also shows that less visible sports, including disability and inclusive sports, tend to receive fewer subsidies unless funding models are deliberately balanced.

So, my question is this: as SportSG's mandate expands, how will funding models continue to balance elite performance, grassroots participation and inclusive sport for persons with disabilities, without disadvantaging those with less visibility or commercial appeal?

While recognising mind sports and e-sports, we should remain clear that physical activity remains central to public health. Resilience is built not only through mental effort, but through movement, teamwork and learning how to recover from setbacks.

I therefore welcome the Bill's explicit expansion of SportSG's role in promoting physical fitness activities. As new categories are brought under its umbrella, it will be important to ensure that community sport and grassroots physical activity continue to receive sustained attention and resources.

I also support the introduction of codes of practice and accreditation for coaching, equipment and facilities. Safety and quality should not depend on informal networks or personal knowledge. At the same time, smaller volunteer-led groups may worry about capacity. A tiered framework would allow standards to be applied proportionately, with stricter requirements for higher-risk or publicly funded programmes and lighter-touch guidance for grassroots groups, preserving both safety and participation.

Finally, the Bill enables a more integrated athlete development ecosystem, including education and career pathways. This is important. Elite athletes face significant pressure and uncertainty, especially as they transition out of competitive sport. Mental well-being should not be an afterthought. We should support athletes not only at their peak, but through the transitions that follow.

As SportSG oversees these institutions, it would be helpful to track not just performance outcomes, but also well-being, educational progression and post-sport transitions. These indicators matter if we want to support athletes as people, not just performers.

Mr Speaker, sport has the potential to support mental health, build resilience and bring people together across backgrounds. This Bill gives SportSG greater flexibility – and with it, greater responsibility. With careful implementation, attention to equity and safeguards for youth well-being, these amendments can strengthen a sporting ecosystem that supports Singaporeans across different abilities, backgrounds and stages of life. I support the Bill.

Debate resumed.

Mr Speaker: Mr David Hoe.

6.44 pm

Mr David Hoe (Jurong East-Bukit Batok): Mr Speaker, I am speaking in support of the Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill.

At its heart, this Bill is a modernisation exercise. It updates a 1973 Act so that our national sports agency can reflect the sporting and fitness realities of Singaporeans today.

This Bill does three things: first, it expands what we legally recognise as "sports" to include mind sports and e-sports; second, it extends the Council's remit beyond sport into physical fitness activities; third, it strengthens the Council's ability to uplift standards, through research, coaching guidelines, accreditation and the establishment of training institutions and facilities.

I support these changes because it also recognises three realities. First, sport has diversified. Competition today not only happens on courts and tracks, but also on boards and screens. Some of our young people compete in inter-school chess championships, while others represent their campus in organised e-sports tournaments.

Second, our national focus has widened. It is no longer just about participation in sport, but building an active, preventive-health culture. Physical activity is increasingly seen as an upstream investment in long-term health and well-being.

Third, high performance sport today is scientific and multidisciplinary. The Bill emphasises on standards, accreditation and institutions that reflects this reality. While I support the Bill, I would raise four clusters of issues for consideration on mind sports, e-sports, broader system implications and active living through physical fitness and the built environment.

My first set of questions, like many have spoken, relates to the meaning and operationalisation of the term "mind sports". The Bill already gives a definition of mind sports, which is "a competitive game based on intellectual skill rather than physical skill, such as chess or bridge".

My question is: how will SportSG operationalise recognition of mind sports beyond the examples in the Bill? Specifically, are there any tangible inclusion and/or exclusion criteria that can be laid out? For instance, in my view, mind sports typically consist of one, or a combination of the following: deep concentration, memory, pattern recognition, decision-making under time pressure and composure under stress. But these characteristics are not unique to chess or bridge alone.

In my conversations with my residents and also my volunteers after Meet-the-People Sessions, they asked, "David, would games like Pokemon cards, mahjong, poker also be considered as mind sports?" because if those characteristics I mentioned earlier, they do qualify. I must tell you one that someone mentioned. They asked, "Would even buying Toto or 4D at Singapore Pools outlet could be construed as some as a form of mind sport because there is some element of competition in winning a few million dollars?" Some may even say, "It involves some level of intellect because you have to study the number pattern that have "opened" previously before you decide what number to buy."

So, without clear criteria, we may risk inconsistent decisions, disputes and perception that mind sports is ad hoc. If the term "mind sport" becomes too elastic, it may unintentionally undermine the credibility of mind sports as serious competitive pursuits.

Hence, I wonder if it would be good for SportSG to put in place or lay out the following, either in the Bill or when implementing the Bill: a clearer application and recognition framework of mind sports; baseline criteria with inclusions and exclusions more explicitly stated at the outset; a transparent assessment process and a periodic review mechanism of what constitutes as mind sports.

Mr Speaker, my second set of questions pertains to how the inclusion of e-sports in this Bill raises a different and more sensitive issues, especially for our youths. We know from research that competitive e-sports training can be intense. One recent academic paper summarised that e-sports athletes may train four to 10 hours per day.

For a minority, gaming can become especially problematic given its addictive potential. In this context, I welcome that the Bill because it strengthens SportSG's ability to set codes of practice, guidelines and accreditation standards. These powers are important in e-sports, where quality and safeguards vary widely today.

In this respect, I have three questions on how these powers might be used well.

First, will SportSG develop a structured youth e-sports training framework? This could encompass age-appropriate guidelines on training hours, mandatory breaks, expectations around sleep hygiene, because that is what parents tell, and a required physical conditioning component. That aim here is not about micromanaging, but it is about building healthy norms, especially for under-18s who are immersed in the world of e-sports.

Second, will SportSG require accreditation for e-sports coaches and training centres that run structured programmes for our youths? If e-sports is to be treated as a sport, then coaching should also be treated as a profession, with standards and safeguarding expectations, and clear escalation pathways.

Third, will SportSG consider proactively working with relevant agencies from the start to develop parent-facing guidance, for instance, with MOE and the Ministry of Social Development and Family? Presently, many parents tell me that they struggle to distinguish between training from play, or even to assess readiness of their child to take part in competitive e-sports.

A national framework and research-driven guidance could help parents to understand signs of readiness, set healthy boundaries, recognise warning signs of addiction, such as sleep disruption, mood changes or social withdrawal.

We should also give thought to seek consent from parents whose children are under-18 entering higher-commitment e-sports pathways, so that parents know what is the child enrolling into and can provide the requisite support.

My third point pertains to broader systemic concerns arising from this Bill.

First, resources are finite. With the inclusion of mind sports and e-sports, how will the Government guard against crowding-out of resources to physical sports and community participation, which remains critical for population health and social cohesion?

Second, recognition should not blur an important distinction. Mind sports and e-sports are not interchangeable with physical sports. We have made a deliberate and forward-looking policy choice to adopt a broader legal definition of sport. That is reasonable. But we must be equally deliberate in our messaging that physical activity remains irreplaceable for health, development and lifelong functioning. Mind sports and e-sports build cognition, community and excellence, but they cannot substitute movement. An active mind should sit alongside an active body.

Third, there are downstream implications, particularly for schools. Today, activities like chess are often treated as clubs rather than sports co-curricular activities (CCAs). With this Bill, students, parents and educators may ask whether this should change, that should not be a club but will be now seen as a sport. Will there be joint guidance with MOE on how schools should treat and support mind sports CCAs? Where interest exists, schools should know how activities can be supported, coached and how participation is valued.

Relatedly, how might this affect pathways, such as entry into the SSP? Will the scope of SSP be broadened to include mind sports or e-sports? If not, are there parallel alternative pathways that exist for students who demonstrate excellence in mind sports or e-sports to develop and compete internationally?

Finally, I want to speak about the Bill's expansion of the Council role to promoting and planning of physical fitness activities. This aligns well with our national shift toward preventive health.

My question is when the Bill speaks about "planning" and "promotion", does it extend beyond programmes into shaping the everyday Built environment that makes such activity easier or harder? For instance, when someone engages in a physical sport, it does depend on the facilities or infrastructure, whether it is available or accessible near home. If such options are far from home, poorly connected or inconvenient to access, the best campaigns will still struggle to translate into daily practice or adoption.

In this regard, I previously asked the Minister for National Development in Parliament about the feasibility of converting Housing and Development Board (HDB) car park spaces for alternative uses for sports or recreational spaces. In the written reply, the Minister explained that HDB must take into account of parking demand over time, potential disamenities to residents, technical and safety constraints, such as fire safety provisions, exit capacity and structural loading. The reply also noted that where suitable, HDB has supported such requests by converting upper levels of the multi-storey car parks to greenery and community gardens, and HDB will consider other community-benefiting uses subject to site-specific assessment.

I appreciate the need for safety and site-specific assessment. At the same time, the current posture could feel a little reactive. It depends on proposals coming in one by one, rather than a systematic effort to identify where are the underused or dormant space that can be repurposed for the good of community.

So, I would like to ask: with SportSG's expanded mandate, will SportSG also consider working more proactively with HDB, the Urban Redevelopment Authority and relevant agencies to develop a simple, standard assessment framework and a pipeline of pilots for "fitness activation" of suitable under-utilised spaces, such as upper decks of multi-storey car parks?

In fact, both physical sports and mind sports, such as chess can stand to benefit from the conversion of such spaces. They could start modestly as pilots with clear safety and feasibility criteria, and the designs that are low-cost, low-disamenity and easy to maintain. Such a proactive approach would help turning "planning and promotion" into something that residents can feel in their daily lives: more convenient spaces to move, closer to home, built into the rhythm into their neighbourhoods.

In conclusion, Mr Speaker, I support this Bill because it strengthens our sports and fitness ecosystem in a way that reflects how Singaporeans live today. In particular, I support the recognition of mind sports and e-sports because it acknowledges that excellence can be achieved cognitively and also physically because recognition can bring structure, standards and safety. But at the same time, we must pair recognition with clear guardrails and clear messaging. Mind sports and e-sports should complement, not replace, physical activity, which remains foundational for health and well-being. And as we pursue preventive health, I hope we can look creatively into under-utilised spaces that can support active living in our neighbourhoods.

Mr Speaker: Deputy Leader.

Resumption of Debate on Question [13 January 2026],

"That the Bill be now read a Second Time." – [Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth].

Question again proposed.

Mr Speaker: Mr Yip Hon Weng.

2.01 pm

Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang): Mr Speaker, Sir, this Bill is a timely modernisation of our sports framework. Notwithstanding, I have several clarifications on how these expanded powers will translate into everyday outcomes for residents.

Mr, Speaker, Sir, my first clarification concerns everyday access, affordability and the quality of sports facilities.

We often hear that sports participation is at an all-time high, with 74% of residents exercising weekly. However, the Ministry of Health's (MOH's) National Population Health Survey reminds us that the largest contributor to physical activity is commuting, not leisure sports. As we expand Sport Singapore's (SportSG's) functions under clause 6(a), we must be clear that success is measured by active living, not just by walking to the bus stop.

With the broadened mandate under clauses 6(e) and (f) to manage facilities, how will this translate into our estates? Will SportSG prioritise less visible but high-impact infrastructure such as community gyms within a 10-minute walk of neighbourhood blocks over marquee facilities?

Residents also ask a basic question: will they be able to play sports to their heart's content?

Today, securing a court often feels like winning the lottery. We also see rising social friction such as noise disputes involving pickleball. These conflicts indicate that our infrastructure may be struggling to keep pace with trends.

If SportSG is to manage facilities under clause 6(e), how will design standards such as acoustic mitigation and smarter space planning be strengthened so that sports bind the community rather than create tension?

We must also ensure that we are not designing this Bill only for the active majority. Clause 6(a) empowers SportSG to promote fitness, but how will this reach the bottom 20% of neighbourhoods with the lowest activity levels? Without deliberate intervention, expanded powers may simply help the fit get fitter while the inactive remain behind due to cost or constraints.

This leads to the financial powers in clauses 7(b) and (c), allowing grants and loans to individuals. This flexibility is welcomed. However, how will SportSG ensure funds reach small heartland operators? There is a risk that grants flow to large well-resourced organisations while the void deck taekwondo club or the Zumba interest group is deprioritised.

Finally, on this point, the Bill indicates no additional Government expenditure, yet clause 6 significantly expands functions across facilities, accreditation and institutions. If SportSG must do more with the same resources, the Minister must clarify what will be deprioritised. We must ensure that these new regulatory ambitions do not come at the expense of core maintenance and grassroots programmes.

Mr Speaker, Sir, my second point concerns the new regulatory powers.

Clauses 6(m) and (n) empower SportSG to establish codes of practice and accredit coaches and facilities. Residents want safety, well-maintained equipment and qualified coaches. However, accreditation can become a barrier to entry. Will these powers inadvertently create a "pay-to-play" system? If freelance instructors and community groups cannot afford the time or cost to navigate accreditation, they may be priced out. We must avoid over-professionalising the sector to the point where affordable community-level coaching disappears. We must also avoid homogenising sports.

Codes under clause 6(m) work for mainstream sports but may stifle organic activities like parkour, street dance or informal seniors' exercises. I ask the Minister to assure the House that we will not regulate these activities out of existence simply because they do not fit into an accreditation box.

Mr Speaker, Sir, my third point concerns the formal recognition of mind sports and e-sports under clause 2. This is a progressive step that validates the aspirations of our youths. However, as a member of the People's Action Party (PAP) Mental Health Group, I sound a note of caution.

Recognition gives credibility to a dream, but it can also become an excuse. Parents already grapple with excessive screen time, only to be told by their children, "I am not addicted, I am training to go pro." The glamour of professional e-sports masks the truth that only a tiny fraction make it while many risk addiction, sleep disruption and neglected studies.

If we legitimise e-sports, we must legitimise the safety framework around it. Will SportSG, exercising powers under clause 6(d), work with MOH and the Ministry of Education (MOE) to establish evidence-based guidelines on screen time and mental well-being? Furthermore, given that e-sports ecosystems are tied to betting and aggressive sponsorship, why does the Bill not include explicit safeguards for minors alongside the expanded accreditation powers?

We must also address the "cliff edge" of an e-sports career. Clause 6(h) enables training institutions. Is there a plan for youths who do not reach the top tier? Career and education support must be core, not peripheral. Will there be plans for aspiring e-sports athletes to be admitted into our Sports School so that academic development progresses in tandem with sporting development? If we recognise the sport, we must protect the athlete.

Mr Speaker, Sir, my fourth point concerns inclusion for seniors and persons with disabilities. I welcome clause 6(b), which names the Singapore National Paralympic Council as a key partner. But naming a partner is not legislating outcomes. Significant barriers remain in transport and facility access. Will facilities managed under clause 6(e) be subject to accessibility standards beyond basic building codes? Can we commit to participation targets for seniors and persons with disabilities? To do this, we need disaggregated data by disability type, age and town. We can only fix what we measure.

Finally, Mr Speaker, Sir, clause 6(h) empowers SportSG to establish institutions to train sportspersons and oversee academic curricula. This strengthens elite development but raises questions about equity. Without clear criteria and financial safeguards, will these institutions favour families who can afford intensive training?

Many national athletes currently juggle fulltime studies or work while competing against fulltime international rivals. We must not build systems that assume athletes can absorb personal financial strain indefinitely.

This brings me to remuneration. If we expect high performance, we must be honest about whether current support is adequate. For many athletes, particularly those who return with medals after years of sacrifice, financial recognition remains limited. I ask the Minister if it is timely to review the incentive framework to better reflect the realities of training at an international level. Beyond money, we must measure success beyond medals.

As SportSG expands its institutional role, we should track graduation rates, post-sport employment and long-term health. If we expect international excellence, we must ensure athletes are supported to go full-time without financial insecurity and that those who do not reach the podium are equipped for life beyond sports.

In conclusion, Mr Speaker, Sir, let me end where our residents begin, with the questions they ask in their daily lives. Can I book a court without fighting for it? Can my child learn safely without paying a premium? Can my parents stay active with dignity, not obstacles? Can a young person chase a sporting dream on a track or on a screen without falling off a cliff when the dream ends?

These questions run through the points I have raised today: access to neighbourhood facilities, fair funding for heartland groups, safety without excessive cost, responsible recognition of e-sports, meaningful inclusion for seniors and persons with disabilities, and training pathways that support athletes not just to compete, but to live well beyond sports.

I say this as someone shaped by sports. As a former competitive gymnast, canoeist and dragon boater, I learnt that sports does not just train the body, it trains the spirit. It teaches us how to fall and how to stand up again. It teaches us that progress is never an individual act. It is a relay and we run our leg so the next person can run theirs.

This Bill gives Sport Singapore new powers. But powers are not the point. People are.

The purpose of this House is not to pass laws that look good in print, but to pass laws that work – in parks, in void decks, in schools, in community clubs and in the homes where parents are raising resilient children. We saw this clearly in the recently concluded Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).

We rightly celebrate our athletes' achievements and medal haul. Once again, we also saw the immense sacrifices made by Singaporeans who train while studying, working and supporting families, often competing against fulltime athletes from other countries. Their performances should make us proud but should also prompt us to reflect on whether our systems are truly designed to support sustained excellence.

So, let us be ambitious but also be honest. Let us build the flagship facilities, yes, but also the quiet corners of fitness that keep a nation healthy. Let us professionalise where needed but never price out the heartland. Let us pursue excellence, but refuse to leave behind the inactive, the vulnerable, the senior, the person with disability or the young person who does not make it to the top.

Mr Speaker, Sir, if we implement this Bill with clear key performance indicators, real inclusion and strong pathways for life beyond sports, we will not just create champions on the field. We will build a stronger Singapore in everyday life. I support the Bill.

Mr Speaker: Ms Elysa Chen.

2.12 pm

Ms Elysa Chen (Bishan-Toa Payoh): Mr Speaker, I rise in support of this Bill. The amendments before us expand SportSG's remit in ways that reflect how Singaporeans actually engage with sport today. Chess, bridge and e-sports are no longer just recreational pastimes but are competitive disciplines that demand mental rigour, fill stadiums and attract global audiences in the millions. This Bill's inclusion of mind sports and e-sports in our definition of sports signals that Singapore recognises competitive excellence wherever it emerges.

The Bill also empowers SportSG to establish institutions for elite athlete development, to accredit coaches and facilities, and to support athletes beyond their competitive years. These are practical expansions that will strengthen our sporting ecosystem from grassroots to podium.

But as we broaden SportSG's mandate, we must also sharpen our oversight. Expansion without accountability risks diluting impact and eroding public trust. So, I raise four areas for greater clarity.

Firstly, on governance and protection in new training institutions.

The Bill grants SportSG authority to establish institutions for developing and training sportspersons. This formalises what already exists in practice. Entities like the Singapore Sports School and the Singapore Sport Institute have been nurturing athletes for years. The consolidation of these institutions, announced earlier this year, is happening alongside this legislative change. Building on the Auditor-General's Office's constructive observations in its recent report regarding procurement, grant management and revenue contracting, we have an opportunity to establish clear governance frameworks that will serve SportSG well as it takes on new responsibilities. Strong institutional safeguards now will protect both athletes and public trust as the organisation evolves.

When we task institutions with the holistic development of young athletes, overseeing not just their training but also their academic curricula and well-being, we are asking them to act in loco parentis. The Safe Sport framework exists and the Safe Sport Commission has made progress since its launch.

I would like to ask the Minister: what governance structures will be put in place to ensure these new or consolidated institutions are accountable not just to SportSG, but to the Parliament and to the public? Will their performance indicators, safeguarding records and funding utilisation be reported to this House annually?

Second, on eligibility and support for e-sports and mind sports athletes. The Bill expands the definition of sports to include mind sports and e-sports. This is welcome. But definitions alone do not open doors. What matters is whether athletes in these disciplines will have the same access to funding, facilities and national representation pathways as their counterparts in athletics or football.

The Singapore Esports Association has announced plans for a national training centre. Chess participation has grown by 20% since 2022. These are encouraging signs. Just over the weekend, we launched an e-sports hub in Bishan Community Centre that is purpose-built for seniors. Perhaps one day we might field an inter-generational team to represent Singapore in our community in e-sports competitions!

Are there plans for e-sports and mind sports athletes to be eligible for Scholarships or the High Performance Sport system grants? Are there long-term plans for mind sports and e-sports associations to receive the same level of institutional support as National Sports Associations (NSAs) in traditional sports?

Thirdly, in transparency in accreditation and certification. The Bill grants SportSG new powers to establish codes of practice for coaching, training, equipment and facilities – and to accredit or certify compliance with those standards. This is a regulatory function, not just a developmental one.

What mechanisms will ensure transparency and accountability in the issuance of coaching accreditations, facility certifications and training programme approvals under the amended Act? Will there be independent review panels for contested decisions? Will accreditation criteria and outcomes be published annually?

Lastly, this Bill also expands SportsSG's remit with regard to planning and promoting physical fitness activities alongside sports, fostering research into physical fitness and establishing codes of practice, guidelines and standards for wider coaching, training and equipment. How will SportSG coordinate with MOE and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) to avoid duplication or conflicts in physical fitness education, coaching standards and public wellness initiatives? Are there plans to dovetail initiatives or align longer-term policy changes where there are overlaps in governmental remit?

Mr Speaker, I support this Bill because it reflects a step forward for our sports sector. Competitive sport forges excellence and resilience in our athletes while anchoring Singapore's global reputation; we cannot be a thriving nation without champions. Recently, I the privilege of meeting our SEA Games medalist Isaiah Tang, who started karate lessons in Bishan Community Centre (CC) when he was just seven years old. In his debut at last year's SEA Games Isaiah came back with a bronze medal. I was greatly touched when he asked about what young athletes like him needed. He did not share immediately about funding or recognition but shared instead about opportunities and exposure to competitions. He is the archetype of a home-grown champion that we as a nation should be proud of.

All the same, support is instrumental for the growth, maturity and further development of home-grown talents like Isaiah. He shared that his family flew up to Thailand to cheer him on at the most recent SEA Games. More than just family support, however, our talent requires the resources and opportunities that institutional support brings. This Bill is a large step in the right direction, to further build up the kampung of support around our natural home-grown athletes and champions; but there is still space to grow.

Mr Speaker, I envision a sports scene for Singapore where all people of all talent are given the resources and opportunity to thrive and excel on the regional and world stage regardless of their upbringing, privilege and family background. Where even those of less privilege, or rather, especially those of less privilege, see a clear path of opportunities to grow, excel, thrive and shine.

The athletes we seek to support are giving the best they have to give; whether they compete on a track, a chessboard, or in an arena; therefore, they also deserve nothing less than the best our country can give.

A nation that invests in sport is investing in more than medals – it is investing in discipline, character and shared pride. As we recognise new forms of competitive excellence, our duty is to ensure that every athlete we support is backed by strong institutions and clear accountability. When we invest in sport, we invest in the kind of country we want to be. Mr Speaker, I support the Bill.

Mr Speaker: Mr Lee Hong Chuang.

2.20 pm

Mr Lee Hong Chuang (Jurong East-Bukit Batok): Mr Speaker, I rise to support Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill. Mr Speaker, there is a saying "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together in a team". But today, I want just to add on "If you want to go even further, go together in a bigger team". That is exactly how the Prime Minister described for the "we first" society – we need a village to raise an athlete.

Mr Speaker, before I begin my speech in Mandarin, I would like to declare that I am currently the Vice President of the Singapore Wushu, Dragon and Lion Dance Federation, and also a former national gymnast, coach, judge and managing NSAs.

In my time as a gymnast in 1980s, we had no professional coaches, no professional facilities, needless to say no specialised equipment like today. As schoolmates, we trained one another, learning from books and sheer determination.

I vividly remember my first SEA Games in 1985. We were required to compete in six apparatus, one of the apparatuses is Roman Rings, yet we did not even have the proper equipment to train on. We practised on metal rings instead of the laminated wood. We set up the rings under the blazing sun to train because we did not have a high ceiling hall. Sometimes, the metal rings were so hot causing our palms to burn. And we resorted to training in the night and bear in mind, not much light. Needless to say, when there is rain, we cannot even train. Many of such things happened. Even the training hours, without scientific, we have to train every day from 2.00 pm to 11.00 pm after school. Saturday, Sunday, we train from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm.

That was the reality of being an athlete 40 years ago, driven not by comfort or resources but by passion, resilience and an unwavering commitment to represent Singapore with pride. Mr Speaker, with that, I will now continue my speech in Mandarin.

(In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Speaker, I support the Singapore Sports Council (Amendment )Bill.

This amendment makes our sports policy framework more comprehensive and better able to address Singapore's future sporting needs. It not only updates the system, but also better reflects how Singaporeans participate in sports, responding to the lifestyle habits and needs of different age groups.

When I was young, I was a national gymnast. On the gymnastics floor, I learnt not just techniques, but focus, discipline and sportsmanship and these values have stayed with me to this day, benefiting me for life. I still remember the moments of falling down again and again during training, then getting back up and the encouragement and interaction between teammates. The unwavering strength to "take a step forward" is what sports gave me.

Today, when I see residents of different generations exercising at community clubs, neighbourhood parks and schools, I am reminded of the values that sports bring us. Sports make communities more vibrant and the spirit that sports convey transcends time, age and background.

This amendment is to ensure this lifestyle receives better support, a safer environment and a more sustainable direction for development.

First, the amendment updates the definition of "sport" to include mind sports and e-sports within the statutory scope. In our communities, elderly people play chess, young people are passionate about e-sports and children try new physical activities. The forms are different, but they all require strategy, focus and endurance and can also cultivate team spirit. Including these activities in the definition of "sport" allows the Sports Council to more systematically and purposefully support and manage these developments, ensuring they grow on a healthy and safe trajectory. This also reminds us that the value of sports should not be measured only in traditional ways. As long as the direction is right, mind sports and e-sports can, like traditional sports, help participants build confidence, discipline and team spirit.

Second, the amendment expands the Sports Council's functions to formally include physical activities within its scope. More residents are participating in physical activities such as yoga, strength training, fitness classes and running. These activities improve physical and mental health and also create more interaction between neighbours. Including physical activities in the Council's responsibilities means the Government recognises the public value of these activities and provides a clearer framework for promoting community fitness programmes in the future. This will further promote a culture of "Active together", making exercise a lifestyle that more residents can easily and sustainably participate in.

Third, the amendment empowers the Council to establish standards for coaches, facilities and equipment, improving the safety and quality of sporting environments. Regardless of which sport they participate in, residents should be active in safe and reliable environments. Establishing standards can ensure coaches have the necessary capabilities, equipment meets safety requirements and facilities are properly maintained.

But whilst raising standards, we must also ensure we don't inadvertently increase burdens, especially for small sports organisations, community clubs and grassroots coaches. They are often important entry points for children, elderly people and beginners to access sports, and are an indispensable part of the sports ecosystem. True team spirit means giving everyone opportunities, not leaving people behind. When establishing standards, listening widely to opinions and ensuring standards are appropriate can promote the healthy development of the entire sports ecosystem.

Fourth, the amendment further strengthens the institutional foundation for athlete development. Athlete development requires systematic cultivation and stable support, including connections between school, community and national-level training systems. The revision allows the Council to more clearly support training institutions, and makes different training pathways smoother, giving more young people with potential opportunities for continued development.

Fifth, we must also face the resource allocation challenges we may encounter. As sporting forms continue to increase, demand for facilities, programmes and coaching resources will also rise accordingly. Facing these potential challenges, I propose three suggestions:

First, establish a clear outcome-oriented resource framework, prioritising resources in areas that can bring the greatest social benefits. When resources are limited, we must ensure every investment produces maximum public value.

Second, strengthen inter-agency cooperation. Schools, community clubs, sports institutions and businesses have different resources and venues. If we can better share and coordinate, we can benefit more residents without significantly increasing budgets. When resources can be shared, sports can go further and reach more people.

Third, conduct "precision expansion" for programmes that show obvious growth and have long-term benefits for public health. For example, family fitness activities, mind sports and some rapidly growing new programmes can start with small-scale pilots, then gradually expand based on effectiveness.

Resource expansion cannot be blind, but requires precise and detailed planning, ensuring every new investment truly benefits more Singaporeans. At the same time, I would like to propose three considerations for the Government in long-term sports resource planning:

First, as programmes continue to increase, how should resource allocation be based on a national outcomes framework to avoid weakening support for existing community sports? Second, if sporting demand continues to rise, will the Government appropriately expand resources based on long-term public health goals, rather than just redistributing within existing resources? Third, when establishing new standards, how can we ensure standards are reasonable and would not burden small organisations excessively, excluding them from the sports ecosystem?

Mr Speaker, this amendment not only improves the system, but also establishes a more solid foundation for our country's sports ecosystem. Gymnastics training taught me that step by step, with continuous effort, we can create real change. This amendment may not immediately produce champions, but it can help more Singaporeans become healthier, happier and more confident in the sporting ecosystem we are building.

(In English): Mr Speaker, this Bill strengthens our national sports framework, making it more comprehensive and future-ready. It better reflects our Singaporeans of all ages' participation in sports and physical activity today.

As a former national gymnast, I experienced firsthand how sports build not just physical skill, but discipline, focus, resiliency and sportsmanship. These values stayed with me for life and continue to shape who I am today. Sports connects generations and communities. Whether in community clubs, parks or schools, sport builds energy, inclusion and a shared sense of purpose across age and background.

Key enhancements in the Bill: one, updating the definition of "sports". The Bill formally includes mind sports and e-sports. These activities, like traditional sports, require strategy, focus, endurance and teamwork. Including them allows for better governance and support, ensuring healthy and responsible development while recognising changing participation patterns.

Two, expanding the Council's role to include physical activity. Activities, such as yoga, fitness training, aerobics and running, are increasingly popular and contribute significantly to physical and mental well-being. Including these activities affirms their public value and provides a clearer framework to promote active lifestyles across communities.

Three, raising safety and quality through standards. The Bill empowers the Council to set standards for coaches, facilities and equipment, improving safety and quality. At the same time, standards must be proportionate and inclusive, so that small sports organisations, community clubs and grassroots coaches are not overburdened or, worse, excluded.

Four, strengthening athlete development pathways. Athlete development requires coordinated and sustained support, from schools to community, then to national systems. The amendments provide clearer institutional support for training providers and smoother pathways for young athletes to develop their potential.

Managing some of our future challenges. As sports and activities diversify, demand for facilities, programmes and coaches will increase. Thus, I propose: one, a clear, outcomes-based resource framework to maximise social impact; two, stronger cross-sector collaboration among schools, community clubs, sports bodies and even private partners to share resources effectively; three, targeted and phased expansion of high-growth activities with strong public health benefits, starting with pilots and scaling based on outcome.

There are also some long-term considerations that we need to take note. One, how resource allocation can expand without weakening existing community sports. Two, whether resources should grow in line with long-term public health goals or not just reallocated. Three, how new standards can be set without imposing excessive burdens on smaller organisations.

In conclusion, Mr Speaker, this Bill does not just update legislation; it lays a stronger foundation for Singapore's sports ecosystem. As in any sports, progress comes step by step, through consistent effort. This Bill may not immediately produce champions tomorrow, but it will help more Singaporeans become healthier, happier and more confident. For these reasons, I support the Bill.

Mr Speaker: Ms Joan Pereira.

2.36 pm

Ms Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar): Mr Speaker, the proposed amendments in this Bill will help Singaporeans from all walks of life lead a more active lifestyle for better mental and physical health. The Bill will also enhance our current system and framework to support and boost the performance standards for our athletes.

I will focus on four aspects: first, supporting active ageing through mind sports; second, engaging youths through e-sports; third, professionalising sport as a career; and last, expanding flexible sports spaces while managing residents' needs.

First, engaging our seniors through active ageing and mind sports. Singapore's rapidly ageing population requires innovative approaches to keep our seniors active, engaged and cognitively healthy. As SportSG continues to expand physical fitness activities under ActiveSG programming, how will the Ministry ensure that the needs and aspirations of our increasing number of seniors are sufficiently catered for?

I commend the great work on offering free workout classes in the community, including many senior-friendly classes, such as "Gold" Zumba or the "Lite" version of KpopX, which are very well-received by my residents. I hope that the funding for this will continue in the long term as it has gotten many seniors to remain active and form social bonds.

I would like to ask if there would be specific funding allocations, training and recruitment of coaches with better understanding of the physical needs and constraints of older men and women to continually deliver on fitness programmes suitable for our seniors?

This Bill recognises mind sports, such as chess, bridge, weiqi and xiangqi, which are very much enjoyed by both our young and our seniors. Mind sports provide participants with intellectual stimulation and social interaction. They are activities that all can enjoy and have fun playing, regardless of age or physical abilities. This accessibility is transformative as it allows for greater inclusivity. Unlike many physical sports that require certain fitness levels or mobility, mind sports can engage seniors competitively while delivering measurable cognitive, mental and social benefits.

For seniors, the benefits of mind sports extend beyond recreation. Research consistently shows that cognitively engaging activities, like chess, reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline. Mind sports foster social connection, reduce isolation and provide structured competitive outlets that build community.

Could the Ministry consider making it a goal to tap on mind sports to support active ageing objectives, by providing more avenues and opportunities for our seniors to remain mentally active as well? How will SportSG leverage mind sports to engage seniors and foster inter-generational bonding? Sir, in Mandarin.

(In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] For seniors, the benefits of mind sports extend beyond recreation. Research shows that cognitively engaging activities like chess reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Mind sports foster social connection, reduce isolation, and provide competitive outlets that build community. Could the Ministry consider making it a goal to tap on mind sports to support active ageing objectives, by providing more opportunities for our seniors to remain mentally active as well? How will SportSG leverage mind sports to engage seniors and foster inter-generational bonding?

(In English): Second, engaging our youths through an evolving sports scene. Our youths are active in an ever-evolving sports scene. E-sports represents a particularly significant opportunity. It is a growing sector that commands massive audiences.

Formal recognition matters deeply to young Singaporeans, including those who excel in e-sports. It signals that their passions are valued, that pathways exist for excellence and that representing Singapore at the SEA Games and Asian Games, where e-sports has been a medal event since 2019 and 2023 respectively, is a legitimate national aspiration and not simply a hobby.

The much-needed formal acknowledgment will pave the way for funding their training and participation at regional and international competitions, enabling them to hone their skills. The attractive prize rewards will make their pursuits a viable sporting career, like other more traditional sports.

Third, uplifting professionalism by making sport a viable career. One of the most important component of this Bill is to uplift the professionalism of sport and make it a viable, long-term career option for Singaporeans. Official recognition provides athletes with support and development pathways. For Singapore to build a vibrant sports ecosystem, we must signal clearly that sports, in all its forms, can be a credible, sustainable career.

Our talented athletes need more financial and institutional support to attain excellence in order to pursue sports professionally. I am heartened that this Bill aims to addresses that gap through three key mechanisms. However, I seek some clarifications, too.

First, the Bill empowers SportSG to establish and maintain quality standards and codes of practice for coaching, equipment and facilities, supported by accreditation systems. I would like to ask, what is the Ministry's strategy to attract talented coaches to Singapore?

Second, the consolidation of Singapore Sports School and the High Performance Sport Institute into a single entity enhances end-to-end service delivery across the youth and senior athlete spectrum. The new model signals holistic support through education, career transitions and life after sport. Would the Minister share in greater detail the measures to support athletes in their lives after their sports career end?

Third, recognition of e-sports and mind sports creates entirely new career paths. The e-sports sector generates jobs for software developers, graphic designers, event managers, marketing specialists, casters and production crews. Would the Government be able to consider introducing training schemes to develop talents in this sector?

Fourth, expanding flexible sports facilities while managing disamenities. Last, infrastructure. Under the Sports Facilities Master Plan, SportSG aims to provide most Singaporeans with affordable sport facilities within a 10-minute walk of their homes by around 2030. This is not merely about convenience, it is about removing barriers to participation and embedding sports into the daily community life.

However, expanding access must be balanced with residents' quality of life. For example, the rise of pickleball illustrates the tension vividly. There were many complaints about pickleball noise in Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates. Residents, especially night shift workers, have reported being disturbed by the distinctive sound of pickleball. There have also been complaints by residents living in the proximity of other sports facilities, such as basketball courts.

Our town councils have responded pragmatically. Besides closing the courts and switching lights off earlier, signs remind players to be considerate and keep noise down, and town councils encourage the use of quieter sports equipment.

While these ground-up responses are commendable, as we expand facilities under the Sports Facilities Master Plan, we must proactively design for noise mitigation and considerate use. This means incorporating acoustic buffers and scheduling guidelines into design and fostering a culture of mutual respect between players and residents. SportSG's new mandate to establish codes of practice for equipment and facilities must ensure that embedded noise management standards into facility design and operation are included from the outset.

I would also like to use this opportunity to call out the urgency for other important sports facilities, like an Olympic-sized ice rink, which Singapore has not had for a number of years. Our ice hockey and ice-skating athletes have had to go for their trainings in neighbouring countries. Not only that, such a facility will encourage more young people to explore their talents in ice sports and provide a fun place for families to enjoy and stay active. I would like to call upon our Government to prioritise the provision of such a facility.

In conclusion, this Bill embodies a balanced, inclusive vision for sport in Singapore. It recognises that sport serves multiple purposes: first, keeping seniors cognitively engaged; second, connecting with youth through formats they find meaningful; third, creating viable career pathways for athletes and coaches; and fourth, providing accessible, flexible facilities in every neighbourhood. This will encourage all residents, young and old, to participate meaningfully in our sporting culture. I support the Bill.

Mr Speaker: Acting Minister David Neo.

2.48 pm

The Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (Mr David Neo): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon Members for their support of the Bill, as well as their comments and suggestions.

Several Members in the House spoke about how we can support our athletes better, during and after their careers. Mr Alex Yam, Ms Gho Sze Kee, Mr Yip Hon Weng and Ms Joan Pereira spoke about support for athletes' transition to life after sport.

Our athletes have similar aspirations to many Singaporeans – they want to pursue higher educational qualifications, start and grow their careers and work towards financial stability. And we agree with Members that we should support them to pursue these aspirations. Let me cite a few recent enhancements.

First, support for education. We launched the spexEducation Undergraduate Scholarships and we awarded them to our inaugural batch last year.

Ms Valerie Lee asked about the selection criteria. We focus our resources on supporting our full-time spexScholars who are best able to benefit from this scholarship, including the daily training environment that their Institute of Higher Learning provides if they are studying and competing at the same time. Or if they intend to study only after they retire from competitive sports, then we consider the course that they are pursuing and the potential future contributions to the sports sector.

One such example is Jessica Tan, our mixed doubles badminton Olympian and 2022 Commonwealth champion. After a very successful career, Jessica retired last year and she is now pursuing a degree in sport management and coaching. After her graduation, she will return back to contribute to our sports sector.

Second, support for career transitions. Through our spexBusiness initiative, we partner a network of supportive companies from diverse industries to provide athletes with career support, flexible workplace practices and development opportunities for their career after sport.

And third, support for finances. We regularly review and have recently increased our spexScholars' monthly stipends. On top of that, they now receive Central Provident Fund (CPF) top-ups, bolstering their finances to better meet their housing, medical and retirement needs.

Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about support for former national athletes, including healthcare. We support our athletes' transition into retirement from their competitive sporting careers by helping them find good employment. Active and retired athletes can also tap on various programmes, including spexBusiness and spexEducation, which I mentioned, and we have recently enhanced.

In addition, there are national schemes to support healthcare and other needs of Singaporeans. For example, our public healthcare financing system, the S+3Ms – namely subsidies, MediShield Life, MediSave and MediFund – help keeps healthcare affordable for all Singaporeans.

Dr Charlene Chen spoke about supporting our athletes' mental well-being. The High Performance Sport Institute proactively monitors our athletes' mental health and provides them with support throughout their sporting career. With a dedicated Athlete Life Management team, the High Performance Sport Institute equips our athletes for life, helping them develop the skills and mental resilience needed to deal with life's challenges, including after retirement from sport.

And we will do more. We are deepening our capabilities in sports science and sports medicine as well as athlete life management, so that we support our athletes holistically, for both their sporting and non-sporting needs and across their life stages.

And that is also why we are also amending this Bill to allow us to organise ourselves better to serve our athletes, bringing together and streamlining expertise through consolidating the High Performance Sport Institute and Singapore Sports School into a single entity. Through this entity, we will strengthen our partnerships with key stakeholders in the High Performance Sport ecosystem, bringing together different specialists in their fields, for example, coaches, psychologists, athlete-life managers and sport administrators, in a clear, comprehensive way to provide wrap-around support for our athletes, helping them stay in competitive sports for as long as they can.

I agree with Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh and Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim on the benefits of integration, and their support for us to bring the Singapore Sports School to Kallang and integrate all elements of the High Performance Sport ecosystem under one roof in the new home of Team Singapore.

To Ms Elysa Chan's question on accountability, I would like to assure the Member that the entity will still be funded by the Government and be accountable to the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and Parliament.

I thank Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik for his question.

With the consolidation, the Singapore Sports School remains a specialised independent school and will continue receiving support from both MOE and MCCY. The Singapore Sports School will continue to provide education to national and aspiring athletes. Besides serving the academic needs of student-athletes, the Singapore Sports School will expand its role to provide career guidance support to other national athletes.

The excellent track record of our Team Singapore athletes gives us confidence that our sporting ecosystem is developing in the right direction. Let me cite some examples.

At the recent SEA Games, our Singapore Sports School students and alumni accounted for almost half of our total Gold medal tally. Shuttler and Singapore Sports School alumnus, Loh Kean Yew, became Singapore's first-ever badminton world champion at the 2021 BWF World Championships. Our most decorated Paralympian, Yip Pin Xiu, is a seven-time Paralympic gold medallist and eight-time World Champion, with two world records to her name. Our kite foiling sensation, Max Maeder, is a double world champion, and won Bronze at his Olympic debut in Paris 2024. His other accolades include winning Gold thrice at the Trofeo Princesa Sofia Regatta, two Golds and a Silver at the Formula Kite World Championships, and an Asian Games Gold at Hangzhou 2022. Amanda Yap become Singapore's first-ever gymnast to reach a World Championships Final and placed sixth at the 2025 Artistic Gymnastics World Championship. In bowling, Singapore Sports School alumni, Darren Ong, made history as the first male Singaporean bowler to claim the Men's Singles title at the 2023 IBF World Championships since 2006. And at the same championships, sisters Cherie and Daphne Tan shared a special moment, winning the women's doubles gold medal. In silat, we have Sheik Farhan Sheik Alau'ddin, our five-time world champion who secured multiple world titles at events, such as the World Pencak Silat Championships. In wushu, Singapore Sports School student-athlete Zeanne Law was crowned World Champion twice in Women's Taijiquan in 2023 and 2024. And at the 2023 World Wushu Championships, Singapore Sports School alumnus Jowen Lim won his first world championship title in "gunshu".

I cite all these achievements because I do not want us to be mistaken that we think the system is working well just because we had a record medal haul in the SEA Games. The system is working well because our athletes have done us proud at all the different world level competitions.

We all have a part to play in growing sports excellence in Singapore. As a small nation with a small talent base, we are competing with nations who are multiple times larger than us, and with budgets that are significant and increasing. Our approach has always been one to partner with all stakeholders and complement each other's strengths, as Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh pointed out, so that we can maximise our investments. The amendment to section 8(d) of the Act reflects this, where we are shifting from consultation to working in partnership with stakeholders to bring about better outcomes.

The National Sport Associations (NSAs) play an important role in promoting and uplifting their respective sports, and many NSAs have done good work with their grassroots and through their developmental programmes. The consolidation of the High Performance Sport Institute and Singapore Sports School into a single entity will also deepen our partnerships with NSAs and provide synergistic and holistic support to our athletes.

Coaches play a pivotal role in shaping both athletic performance and the broader sporting environment. Ms Joan Pereira made several sound suggestions on recruiting and developing coaches.

MCCY and SportSG continually review our coach education and development programmes under CoachSG, with a view to building a deep and sustainable pipeline of coaching talents to support our athletes to achieve our High Performance Sport ambition, as well as to provide clear development and progression pathways, from grassroots to high performance coaches for elite athletes. This is in line with our tiered coaching pathways as guided by a competency framework. Through initiatives, such as the Coach Development Grant, our coaches also receive subsidies in course fees to pursue specialised training, including to develop suitable skills and expertise to help our ageing citizens stay physically active and healthy.

Various Members also spoke about the importance of having good access to sports facilities and the challenges that some residents face in booking public courts.

Today, through the Sport Facilities Master Plan, Singaporeans can access public sports facilities near to where they live. And we will continue to improve this. We provide a mix of larger sport centres in towns and smaller facilities in our neighbourhoods for easy access, particularly for seniors and young families.

The roughly 50% increase in the number of Singaporeans who participate in sport and fitness activities weekly, over the past decade, simply means it will be a little bit harder for our residents to book courts at the time and place that they want. We understand this and we plan to increase the provision of courts. We will share more details when ready.

Given the scarcity of land in Singapore, we have been innovative by activating underutilised spaces. For example, the CTE viaduct in Jalan Bukit Merah has been transformed into a touch tennis court, while the space under the Gali Batu Flyover will be used for futsal, pickleball courts and a fitness corner. Rooftops of multi storey carparks are also being repurposed as recreational spaces, such as the upcoming facility in Dover Crescent. We will also continue to explore and partner others to open up more spaces for play and tapping on existing collaborations, like the Dual-Use Scheme with schools.

I agree with Ms Valerie Lee that our sports facilities should serve the needs of a broad range of entities, in addition to our national sports associations. So, for example, our ActiveSG facilities and facilities at The Kallang are used by community sports groups, grassroots organisations, schools and corporates to host events and activities, such as the National School Games, Sport Days, community carnivals, festivals, sports competitions and charity events, like Football with a Heart.

Ms Joan Pereira and Mr Yip Hon Weng suggested having a code of practice for sports facilities in HDB estates.

Well, our approach is not to be overly prescriptive and allow flexibility to accommodate residents' preferences, given that each precinct in Singapore is a little bit different. At the same time, SportSG will work with all the relevant stakeholders, including the NSAs and, where possible, consider other solutions in terms of facility design or choice of equipment. We will work within our land constraints and we will continue to find innovative ways of providing public access to a diverse mix of sports.

Ms Joan Pereira asked whether there will be a new ice rink. SportSG and other agencies have been working closely with the ice sport NSAs on this matter. The Singapore Ice Skating Association has since launched a request for a proposal to develop and operate an ice rink and is reviewing the proposals received. In the same spirit, we will continue to partner with respective NSAs to support our athletes' short- and long-term training needs.

I am glad to hear Members’ support for recognising a more diverse group of sports. Recognition can help them increase membership, develop talent and secure funding or sponsorship. Some of these newer sports will also catalyse the supporting industries. For example, in the area of e-sports, create more demand for software developers and graphic designers.

I would like to assure Members that our intent is not to be overly prescriptive about what constitutes or not constitute a mind sport or e-sport. Instead, our focus is on supporting the diverse interests of Singaporeans, so that we can promote and develop sports in Singapore and as Ms Poh Li San said – to uplift and bond our nation through sports. We welcome suggestions to make this clearer to interested stakeholders and will continue to engage the sector closely.

And to Mr David Hoe, I have to say that for something to be considered a mind sport, it needs to be affiliated to an NSA, who is in turn affiliated to an International Federation. So, I do not think Toto will make the list anytime soon.

I would also like to assure Mr Fadli Fawzi that SportSG will continue to work with commercial entities to support a more vibrant and diverse sporting ecosystem. For example, SportSG partnered with close to 20 commercial partners for last year’s Singapore Urban Sports and Fitness Festival, and over 50 commercial partners for the inaugural Olympic Esports Week in 2023.

The recognition of more sports also offers an opportunity to engage various segments of population in different ways as Ms Joan Pereira has pointed out. Seniors can be engaged through mind sports to keep them mentally and socially active, which will complement today’s physical activity programmes offered by Government agencies and community partners. Indeed, as Mr Yip Hon Weng and Mr David Hoe pointed out too, there is also an opportunity to engage youths through e-sports, given its popularity.

I agree with Dr Charlene Chen, Mr Yip Hon Weng and Mr David Hoe that we should do so while addressing all the possible risks, such as potential issues with regard to gaming addiction. We will work with industry and community partners such as the Singapore Cybersports and Online Gaming Association and the Singapore Esports Association, as well as Government agencies like MOE and MOH to do so.

I thank Members for understanding that an expanded definition of sport does not mean that we will support all sports equally given the need for us to use public funds wisely. I agree with Ms Valerie Lee, Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim, Mr David Hoe and Dr Hamid Razak that the development of new sports, including e-sports should complement rather than crowd out existing sporting pathways, especially those that promote physical activity and broad-based participation.

As Dr Charlene Chen pointed out, one such pathway is the Direct School Admission (DSA). MOE schools have the autonomy to offer programmes that suit their students' needs and interests. MOE prioritises physical sports in the National School Games as movement and regular physical activity are fundamental to students' holistic development and health. For other types of sports, there are competition platforms organised by various organisations for students to represent their schools.

Members including Mr Alex Yam, Mr Lee Hong Chuang, Dr Kenneth Goh, Mr David Hoe, Ms Elysa Chan also talked about our funding principles. Broadly, we calibrate the amount of support for sports based on their specific needs, governance standards and contribution to our national sporting objectives, which includes the ability of the sport and its competition to inspire the Singapore spirit. We regularly review our support for sports and will continue to engage with the NSAs and other partners, like Singapore National Olympic Council and Singapore National Paralympic Council, so that we can collectively move in the same direction to uplift Singapore sports.

Mr Yip Hon Weng, Mr Lee Hong Chuang, Mr Fadli Fawzi asked how we would ensure fiscal sustainability. Within our land, manpower and funding constraints, we have found ways to support non-traditional sports, whether through support for athletes, such as the Athletes’ Inspire Fund, which defrays the costs for athletes in emerging sports participating in regional competitions, or working with NSAs to strengthen governance, obtain charity status and gain access to donations and matching grants to help grow their sports, such as the One Team Singapore Fund, or providing event and facility support, such as to host events like the 2023 World Youth Tchoukball Championship in Singapore.

To complement Government funding, we encourage corporates to come in to support our TeamSG athletes. We have seen some good examples, including Yeo Hiap Seng sponsorship to Max Maeder in 2022 to support his journey towards the 2024 Paris Olympics, and subsequent extension of their sponsorship deal by another four years from 2025 to 2028.

And we will make sport more accessible and inclusive for everyone. I would like to thank Mr Alex Yam, Dr Kenneth Goh, Ms Valerie Lee, Mr Yip Hon Weng and Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim who have spoken up on the importance of disability sport as a driver for inclusivity.

That is why we refreshed the Disability Sports Master Plan (DSMP) in 2024 to raise sport participation for persons with disabilities, focusing on three key strategic themes: First, to increase accessibility to disability sports programmes and activities; second, to enhance awareness of disability sports and inclusive sports activities, and; third, fulfil aspirations of persons with disabilities who desire and have the potential to do sports at the high performance level.

One of the strategic moves in the DSMP seeks to enhance the competencies of coaches in disability sports. We target to more than double the number of registered coaches under the National Registry of Coaches who can coach persons with disabilities, from 120 to 300 by 2030. This will complement other moves to increase the number of regular participants in disability sports programmes from 3,200 today to about 5,400 by 2030. We will work closely with various partners like schools, sports associations and community partners to implement the various strategic moves as laid out in the DSMP.

Ms Gho Sze Kee suggested the merging of the Singapore National Olympic Council and the Singapore National Paralympic Council. Both councils are independent and have their respective missions of developing and promoting the Olympic and Paralympic movements respectively, and amongst others, preparing our athletes for major games. I am sure they will take to heart the suggestion. There will be benefits with the current arrangement and there will be other possible benefits with a merger. And it comes down to which structure will allow them to meet their mandate and mission better and which structure serves Singapore and Team Singapore better. Both councils have done great work in uplifting sports and athletes in their sectors and MCCY and SportSG will continue working closely with them.

I would also like to thank Ms Poh Li San, Dr Hamid Razak and Dr Charlene Chen for their suggestions on ensuring a wider representation of professionals or experts in sports education, disability sports, sports psychology, sports tourism, community sports and senior sports on the Board of SportSG. This is in line with our plans to diversify SportSG Board’s expertise to enable it to lead the sport sector well.

The maximum of 25 members on the Board of SportSG provides us the scope to bring on board more diverse expertise and perspectives, and is in line with the size of other Statutory Boards. This is a maximum number, it is not a target, and we will continue to ensure that the Board runs effectively and efficiently.

Our society is aging rapidly. It is imperative that we work together to keep our seniors active and healthy through sports and physical fitness activities. Members Mr Alex Yam, Dr Charlene Chen and Mr David Hoe as well as Ms Joan Pereira have raised this. One key initiative is the Frailty Prevention Programme (FPP) that we have been progressively introducing to our Active Ageing Centres (AACs).

There are two key components to the FPP. First, the Combat Age-Related Loss of Muscle programme (CALM), which is an eight-week programme targeted at seniors to help them understand muscle health through assessment, guided strength training, and health coaching. Since September 2024, over 1,200 seniors from 54 AACs have completed the programme. After going through CALM, almost all seniors reported an improvement in at least one of five measurements, with at least 85% of them improving in at least three of these measurements. We will continue to run more runs of CALM and consider expanding them to the Residents Network as well should there be interest.

Second, introducing adaptive sports to seniors in AACs. This allows them to continue to reap the benefit of sport, while calibrating the level of physical exertion. This culminated in the inaugural Seniors National Games last year, where 4,500 seniors representing 110 AACs competed across five adaptive sports.

Some Members also asked about helping children and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds access sports. Sport can provide a safe and structured environment for them to build confidence, resilience and stronger connection to friends and society. SportSG provides a SportCares Bursary for children and youths from low-income families to participate in ActiveSG Academies and Clubs. We will continue to work closely with stakeholders and community partners to identify suitable children and youths for our initiatives and ensure that more can benefit.

SportSG will also continue to design and administer grants and programmes that can benefit different segments of the population, to strengthen our ecosystem or increase access to sport. For example, the Communities of Care Grant. This has played a vital role in supporting smaller organisations like Amplify, enabling them to create meaningful change in the lives of vulnerable communities. Through their functional fitness program, Amplify empowers youth at risk, seniors, and persons with disabilities by promoting holistic wellness and fostering a sense of community. Beneficiaries develop physical strength, resilience, and leadership skills, while gaining valuable industry knowledge for future employment opportunities.

We are also working to ensure that our people engage in physical fitness activities safely. I am encouraged by the Members’ support towards SportSG’s calibrated approach. As Mr Alex Yam, Dr Hamid Razak, Mr Yip Hon Weng, Mr Lee Hong Chuang and Dr Charlene Chen pointed out, over-regulation would deter smaller players or grassroots groups.

Our current focus is to ensure baseline standards and eventually uplift the sector. For example, Registered Exercise Professionals under the National Registry of Exercise Professionals hold relevant fitness or exercise certifications and are also certified in Standard First Aid. These are not intended to be onerous but are simple and essential requirements for a more developed industry for Singaporeans’ benefit. We will continue to review our approach and engage the sector.

Mr Fadli Fawzi asked about a potential conflict of interest SportSG’s expanded function to manufacture and supply sport and physical equipment, as well as to set standards for such equipment in clause 6(m) and 6(l) of the Bill. To clarify, SportSG typically does not manufacture sports or physical fitness equipment for sale. Items provided are usually meant to provide a service to Singaporeans, such as gym towels or water-bottles for children. SportSG also periodically provides sport-related items such as sport-resistance bands or TeamSG premiums, as part of its role to promote an active lifestyle or to strengthen public support for Team Singapore athletes.

Ms Elysa Chen asked about the accountability of standards set and approvals given. The criteria for being registered on the National Registry of Coaches and National Registry of Exercise Professionals and the names of coaches and exercise professionals is listed on the respective registries and publicly available. The requirements for accreditation are also objective, such as first aid certification. SportSG will continue to be objective and transparent as it seeks to uplift industry standards in partnership with our stakeholders.

Mr Speaker, Sir, we have achieved much progress in developing a vibrant sports culture in Singapore over the last five decades. We have significantly raised sports participation for Singaporeans from all walks of life – from one in two just a decade ago, to three in four today. We have made a significant leap in our regional performance, returning from the recent SEA Games in Bangkok with a record haul of medals.

We are on the right track to scale the next bound of sports in Singapore.

First, we are making “hardware” investments in Kallang to integrate the Singapore Sports School with our High Performance Sport Institute and build a new home for Team Singapore.

Second, we are transforming our “software” to support our youth and senior athletes holistically with deeper investments in sports science and sports medicine and stronger partnerships with our NSAs.

Third, we have set out a masterplan and we are running programmes and initiatives to be more inclusive through sport by empowering persons with disabilities, outreaching to vulnerable youths and supporting students of all abilities to provide good access sports in schools and to nurture a love for sport from young.

Last but not least, we are setting standards to ensure our people engage in physical activities safely, so that Singaporeans can lead active and healthy lifestyles.

I thank all Members for supporting this Bill. At this juncture, I also want to thank Mr Yip Hon Weng, Mr Lee Hong Chuang, Ms Poh Li San and Dr Kenneth Goh for reminding us that sport at any level is not just about winning and doing well. It is also about inculcating values, building character and giving ourselves a sense of who we are as a nation. It is about how we respond when our team needs us.

Dr Kenneth Goh gave us the examples of Josh Chua, Koen Pang, Izaac Quek and Victoria Lim putting team before self and nation before self. And there were many more examples that we witnessed at the many sporting events, in our schools and communities as well.

It is about how we respond in defeat.

While we had a record medal haul at the SEA Games, we had our share of disappointments as well. Our netball team, who are Asian youth champions, suffered an agonising three-point loss in the finals. But that is sport. There will be good days and there will be bad days. What matters is we always come back, stronger.

That is how our support for our athletes should be. We support them when they are doing well and we support them even more if they are not doing well. That is how sport bonds and uplifts us as a nation – not because we win all the time, but because we know how difficult it is to win and we always come back, stronger.

Sir, the impact of this Bill will depend on what we do from here. From providing more support for our athletes beyond sports, participating actively in our lineup of programmes, stepping forward to contribute to a vibrant and inclusive sporting ecosystem, there is a role for everyone.

There is much to look forward to for Singapore's sports. We will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to implement this Bill effectively and ensure that our national sport ecosystem remains inclusive, dynamic and future-ready. Mr Speaker, Sir, I seek to move. [Applause.]

3.16 pm

Mr Speaker: Are there any clarifications for the Minister? Looks like it is a very comprehensive round-up. No clarifications?

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. – [Mr David Neo].

Bill considered in Committee.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

The Chairman: The citation year "2025" will be changed to "2026", as indicated in the Order Paper Supplement.

Clauses 1 to 9 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.

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