Concerns about less focus on elite sports with new ministry: IOC VP

SINGAPORE: From 1 November, sports comes under the purview of the new Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.

And with the words "Sports" being removed from the Ministerial branding, many have raised concerns about the future of sports.

One of them is International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice president and Singapore Sailing Federation patron Ng Ser Miang.

His reservations centre around how elite athletes will be treated as the new ministry may want to focus on a sports—for—all policy instead.

Although Mr Lawrence Wong, the man to helm the new ministry, allayed such fears, Mr Ng would still want this to be thoroughly clarified.

Mr Ng said: "I believe also there are some concerns whether there will be emphasis more on mass participation rather than elite sports. But I think this concern should also be addressed because I think winning for Singapore would definitely help to instil national pride as well as strengthening our national identity.

"It would be disappointing if the ministry does go down the sports—for—all path only, as the Republic has just had its best—ever showing at the recent Olympics.

"It has also seen further breakthroughs internationally in sailing, gymnastics, rowing, weightlifting, swimming and athletics."

— CNA/ck