SINGAPORE: The Singapore Sports School will undergo a strategic review in a bid to help the country maintain its competitiveness in the regional sporting arena. It will also aim to help a growing number of Singapore athletes who have excelled in new sports, such as archery, rowing and silat. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the review at the school's 10th anniversary celebrations on Wednesday. The review will cover both sporting and academic aspects. It aims to help the school develop more effective relations with the Singapore Sports Council and the various national sports associations. This will also support elite athletes beyond school-going age in their contributions to Team Singapore. The review will study practices of top sports academies worldwide, and how they juggle academia and an intense sporting regime. More partnerships with local and overseas institutions of higher learning will also be explored. Mr Lee said the school has done well, but needs to continually review its work so that it remains relevant. He elaborated: "The competition is getting stronger. Even in Southeast Asia, other countries are investing significant resources to develop their athletes. And they're closing the gap with us, even in sports where traditionally we have done well. "Let's take a fresh look, we've come a long way. What should we do better? What should we do next?" Tan Teck Hock, principal of the Singapore Sports School, said: "We've got to look at the whole entire sports eco-system and see where SSP (Singapore Sports School) plugs into this whole eco-system, and how we can better harness the energies, align our programmes, share resources, facilities and expertise. And I think that that's the way to go, if we're going to contribute to Team Singapore." www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-sports-school/963998.html

• published: 23 Jan 2014
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