Metadata

Synopsis

*Seconded from Ministry of Defence to Singapore Sports Council (SSC). Impression that sports development was not very big in Singapore. Football and badminton were major sports. First impression was that SSC was backwards in terms of effectiveness and organisational ability. When he joined, the government already had plans to promote sports excellence in a big way because of success of 1993 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Brought in several National Sports Associations (NSAs) as strategic partners. Restructuring exercise within SSC. Within a few years, they were making impact at SEA Games, had identified promising young athletes, and had government approval to implement Foreign Talent Scheme. Not easy to look for foreign talent. Wanted to jump start strategy and get results as soon as possible. Worked with NSAs to identify foreign talents.

Foreign talent motivated local players. Primary objective of foreign talent scheme was to help promote Sports Excellence (SPEX) scheme. Limited population and talent base. Clear that talents were required for sports demanding skills rather than physique. Challenge of assimilating athletes into Singapore. Tended to be flexible when talent took more time to develop. Fortunate that Committee on Sporting Singapore (CoSS) in 2000 led to more funding for SPEX and foreign talent scheme. Encouraged athletes to take English lessons and to sing national anthem. Sports people saw foreign talent as adding spice to sporting scene. Some negative reaction amongst local population. Talents are trained in Singapore even though they are not born here. SPEX 2000 scheme. Believed that shooting would do well. Additional funding for sports that were not core or merit (e.g. netball, bodybuilding). Targeted some sports but they did not turn out so well (e.g. weightlifting).

SSC and Sports Ministry today have a good feel of the sports that we can do well in on international level. A lot of NSAs were not ready and professional. Problems with some NSAs: conflict of interest, self-interest. Lots of funding injected into SPEX 2000 scheme but they had savings every year. Took shooting association years to employ coach. Problems with football: political objectives vs SSC's interest in raising level of football. Overview of how core and merit sports have fared. Disappointed with low standard of football and sepak takraw. Singapore has great future in silat. Built Centres of Excellence for several sports (e.g. sailing, table tennis, badminton, shooting, netball, track and field). Gave bowling association money for equipment, coaching system and technical directors.