Roles of sports in Singapore

Sports play an important role in building character and bonding the community, especially during this difficult economic climate. To sustain the progress made thus far in schools, the community, and at the national and international levels, MCYS/SSC and MOE currently channel $6million and $30million respectively to NSAs and school sports programmes.
This money is used to provide students increased opportunities to participate in sports and games through Learn-to-play programmes, improving coaching standards, enhancing facilities and equipment, and providing training and competition opportunities.
The vibrant school competition calendar serves as an avenue for talent identification, selection and preparation. The Committee is currently identifying areas for improvements to cater to a larger pool of athletes. It is also looking at ways to enhance collaboration between schools, NSAs and the wider community, and facilitate the setup of satellite training centres.

The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) have formed a Singapore Youth Sports Development (SYSD) Committee to bring together key stakeholders who share a common passion to develop youth sports. The committee seeks to raise overall youth sports participation through strengthening the sports system, catalyse a sporting culture, and perform well at the Youth Olympic Games in 2010.

Over the next two years, MCYS, SSC and MOE plan to set up a number of satellite training centres (STC) for selected Olympic sports in each of the four school zones. These centres will serve as additional avenues for youth participation and league competitions. STCs will be based at selected schools with good potential in the chosen sports or at selected SSC facilities. Existing facilities designated as STCs will be provided with sufficient equipment, amenities, maintenance and staff support.

Also the Youth Olympics games in 2010 can also attract more tourists from around the world to Singapore, pending more on their trips to Singapore on souvenirs, food, hotel bills and more. This means more revenues to Singapore from the tourists who visit Singapore. Thus improving the economy.