Sports School to undergo strategic review

SINGAPORE — The Singapore Sports School (SSP) may have produced a host of Olympians, world champions, Asian, Commonwealth and South-east Asian Games champions and national athletes since it opened in 2004.

However, the changing sports landscape, and increasing competition from the region means there is a need for the SSP to review its work so as to stay relevant.

That is why the Woodlands-based school will be conducting a strategic review to see how it can raise the bar in producing top national athletes to compete on the international stage, while enabling these student-athletes to continue achieving their academic aspirations.

This was announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the school’s 10th anniversary celebrations and awards night this evening (Jan 22).

“The School has done well but it needs to continually review its work to stay relevant to the changing sporting landscape,” said Mr Lee.

“In South-east Asia, other countries are investing significant resources to develop their athletes.

“They are closing the gap with us even in sports where we traditionally do well.”

He cited Vietnam who gave the Republic a tough fight in swimming and table tennis at the last SEA Games in Myanmar.

“At the same time, Singapore athletes are branching out into new sports such as archery and rowing and are doing well in them.”

As such, the SSP will conduct a Strategic Review to study

a. How the world’s best sports academies design their academic curricula

b. Partner polytechnics and universities to offer academic pathways for its students

c. Strengthen the School’s role in Singapore’s sports eco-system by working more effectively with the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) and the national sports associations, and by developing promising athletes in mainstream schools too.

“I challenge the Sports School to become a national sports academy of excellence 10 years from now,” said Mr Lee.

The review committee will be chaired by SSC chairman Richard Seow and Ms Yeoh Chee Yan, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, the SSP’s parent ministry.