SINGAPORE — The planned establishment of a new national sports academy for youth athletes should pay closer attention to athlete development, according to members of the local sporting fraternity TODAY spoke to.

Full details of the institution — which has tentatively been named the National Youth Sports Institute (NYSI) — have not yet been revealed, but they are expected to mirror the work done by the Singapore Sports Institute (SSI) with senior athletes.

Some of the other responsibilities of the NYSI, to be based at the Singapore Sports School (SSP) in Woodlands, include talent identification, youth coaching, athlete life management and sports science.

Singapore Rugby Union vice-president Jonathan Leow welcomed the move to set up the academy, but stressed that educating junior athletes should be at the forefront of the NYSI’s agenda. “I’m in favour of having such an institute being set up in Singapore,” he said.

“The services they offer so far seem fine, but there should also be an educational aspect to it. If you all don’t have the right basics at youth level, you will have trouble when you reach the adult stage.

“That is why education at the youth level is crucial. If athletes are taught how to take care of themselves, such as the correct basics and form from young, they won’t suffer as many injuries as an adult sportsperson, which makes it easier for the SSI to do their job as well.”

Singapore Bowling Federation president Jessie Phua added: “It’s nice to have different arms taking care of different tiers of athletes.

“It shows that there is a widespread acceptance of sport at all levels and that it’s a part of our lives.

“Let the NYSI take off, before seeing how it can be enhanced, tweaked and modified to make it become a more comprehensive and supportive system for youth athletes.”

Former SSP assistant director Vincent Ong agreed that the long-term development of youth athletes must be the NYSI’s priority.

Highlighting the case of legendary basketballer Michael Jordan, who was not selected to play for his high school basketball team, Ong added that the institute must handle the framework for the identification of young sporting talent with care.

“It is difficult to narrow down athletes according to certain variables and say for sure these are going to be your sporting talents of the future,” said Ong, who is now a vice-principal of a secondary school.

“There are too many factors involved to narrow down to simple physiological and psychological factors. This will result in a situation with a lot of hits and misses, and in a small country with a limited population like Singapore, we can’t afford this.

“The talent identification process is a long-term thing. It’s important this process takes into account good talent development, and that we do not lose potential talents.

“The focus should be on making sure they have the right sports development and education, so they may show up again in the later stage of their development.”

Former national sprinter UK Shyam pinpointed the need to cater to the different needs and challenges faced by youth athletes compared to their adult counterparts.

In particular, the 39-year-old teacher hopes the NYSI can help young athletes learn to better juggle the responsibilities of focusing on their studies while also doing well in training and competitions.

“We currently don’t have a formal programme to help student athletes manage their studies and training,” said Shyam.

“For example, a mentor to sit down with student athletes to help plan their timetable, so that their training programmes, nutrition and body management go in sync with the demands of their studies and exams as well.

“A lot of the kids can’t cope with their studies and sport, and subsequently drop out from the sport. And it’s hard to cope if you don’t have a lot of people helping out.

“So if the NYSI can help to address this issue, I believe we’ll reduce the attrition rate of these athletes during their crucial academic years.”

ABOUT THE NYSI

TODAY reported exclusively on Friday that the NYSI is one of the results of a review of the Singapore Sports School undertaken last year by a committee headed by Sport Singapore chairman Richard Seow and Ministry of Culture, Community and Sport permanent secretary Yeoh Chee Yan.

Earlier this year, Lawrence Wong, then the Culture, Community and Youth Minister, said in Parliament that they would “improve youth athlete development so more promising student athletes will have the opportunity to excel in their sports and don national colours while continuing their education.”

Based at the Sports School, the NYSI will cater not just to student-athletes from the SSP’s 10 sports academies, but also to talented young athletes from all sports in Singapore.