Vision 2030: Live better through sports
Sports can do more than just keep one healthy and active. In fact, it can be the strategy to engage, inspire and unite Singaporeans from all walks of lives, while also equipping them with important skills needed to compete in tomorrow's world.
That is the key message Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Chan Chun Sing delivered on Monday in a session to unveil key recommendations of the Vision 2030 committee.
The committee was set up in July 2011 to explore ways in which sports can galvanize the society and build a sustainable sports ecosystem for all Singaporeans.
The long term plan is to build a more wholesome environment for all through sports.
During the media session, Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing outlined these plans as part of the committee's preliminary recommendations.
"Our work on Vision 2030 has confirmed that sports can do more than unite us and make us proud. Sports can be a strategy to develop our nation. Sports can provide opportunities for learning, skill development and advancement for everyone in our society," Mr Chan said.
He also stressed that Vision 2030 is not targeted at a specific group. Indeed, it is for everyone, from school-going children, to young adults in the corporate worlds and retirees looking to lead more purposeful post-work lives.
To do that, the Vision 2030 committee spent seven months consulting about 2,500 people from various sectors before coming out with 19 recommendations.
These are classified under three main categories: Opportunities, access and capabilities.
One key recommendation is the forming of Super Sports Clubs, which will serve as a home base for individuals in the community to get together, train and compete in a range of sports.
The Clubs will also provide level- and age-appropriate coaching for participants. The pilot concept for the Super Sports Clubs will be implemented towards the end of the year.
Other recommendations include the formulating of a Sports Facilities Master Plan aimed at providing amenities for those wanting to do sports, and a Coaching Academy to support the development of sports coaches here.
The recommendations are welcome by members of the public Yahoo! Singapore spoke to.
Mr Wilfred Leung, 36, an investment manager, said he hopes more sports facilities can be made available to people like him who finish work late.
"I start work at 2pm and leave the office around 10pm or 11pm, by which time most exercise outlets are closed. So hopefully, there can be some 24-hour sports amenities that I can use," he said.
The Vision 2030 committee is now seeking further inputs from the public to review these preliminary recommendations which will be implemented in stages from May this year.
These recommendations are available at www.vision2030.sg for public feedback until May 15.
