SINGAPORE — The organiser of this year’s Singapore Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Challenger has criticised the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) for downsizing its support for the event, forcing it to be cancelled.

Organised since 2011 by the Sports Management Group (SMG), last year’s edition from Feb 25 to March 4at the Singapore Island Country Club saw a total prize purse of US$50,000.

But SMG decided to pull the plug on this year’s event, while details were being worked out, due to a lack of funds. “The SSC has cut the funding for the event by almost half, so we don’t see a reason why we should carry on with the event any more,” said SMG Managing Director Kenneth Low.

“SMG doesn’t make a profit from this tournament. We’re doing it because we’ve been the organiser for the past two years. However, if there is no more funding to do so, then it becomes the SSC’s responsibility. It’s their job to promote sports.”

“This model is not feasible in Singapore at the moment because the sports culture and fraternity isn’t that strong in the country. If funding decreases, there won’t be enough corporate sponsorship to back these events up ... Singapore is purely an entertainment market. Nobody really pays to watch sports specifically.”

But SMG remains hopeful that the tournament will still happen, hopefully in the second half of the year, and is sourcing for sponsors.

Last night, the SSC said the seed funding it provides to assist organisers is tied to the “specific outcome” it wants from each event, and aligned to Vision 2030, the long-term blueprint for Singapore sports.

“We believe organisers should develop their event’s own unique value proposition every year by engaging fans and sponsors with strong programming,” said an SSC statement.

“The quantum of funding is determined based on the potential impact in sports development, social and economic domains ... We believe that the organiser for the ATP Challenger is in a position to build and improve the event for increased sponsorships.” Deborah Ong