Extension of SportCares Programme to Facilitate Rehabilitation of Juvenile Delinquents

41 Assoc Prof Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth whether the Ministry will consider extending the SportCares programme to include children and young people in contact with the criminal justice system to assist with their rehabilitation.

Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: SportCares was established in 2012 as the philanthropic arm of SportSG to enable vulnerable individuals and persons with disabilities to experience and reap the benefits of sport by instilling confidence and elevating their outlook on life.

SportCares partners the Singapore Prison Service to support the rehabilitation of offenders, such as through offering weekly sports programmes for youths in about seven institutions, including the Reformative Training Centre. On top of sports coaching, coaches also impart values and life experiences. Participants are encouraged to continue in SportCares programmes upon their release.

SportCares also offers sports programmes to residents of the Singapore Boys' Home and Singapore Girls' Home, to support their rehabilitation within these institutions and facilitate their reintegration into the community. This is done by connecting them to SportCares' community programmes, such as the Saturday Night Lights and Let's SEPAK.

SportCares will continue to explore ways to better enable children and young people in contact with the criminal justice system to reap the benefits of sports.