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MY DAUGHTER, now seven, has been in a gymnastics class at Bishan Sports Hall since she was four. Now in Primary 1, she cannot attend her existing class on a weekday afternoon. The Singapore Sports Council (SSC) was aware of this and indicated the possibility of a morning class for her and other children. However, after a month of calling and waiting, I was told the class has been cancelled due to insufficient participants.
Where does my daughter go from here? After she has spent the past three years in twice-weekly training, this is not acceptable. All the past month, she has been waiting and hoping the class would resume quickly. Now she has to be told this.
The SSC has put a lot of emphasis on keep-fit programmes for the public. But it doesn't practise what it preaches. How can it just stop an existing class due to insufficient numbers? Surely it can be flexible enough to allow classes to start, then recruit and add to the numbers through the term?
If there is no continuity from one level to the next, I suggest the entire SSC gym programme be scrapped.
Imagine sending a child for piano class that ends after Grade 1. Or swimming class that is only for beginners. This is what the SSC is doing.
I have the following questions for the SSC:
What is the SSC's purpose in running such programmes? To make money or promote sports well-being?
How does the SSC derive the minimum number? The staff I spoke to said they have to take maintenance cost into account. But if the facilities are already there, isn't it more cost-effective to start another class?
If the SSC continues this 'minimum number' mindset, I am afraid by the time it gathers sufficient numbers, many hopeful applicants will have given up waiting. If that happens, the minimum number of participants will never be achieved, and hence, a complete failure of the SSC's efforts to promote a love of sports, especially among our little ones. I would hate to see this happen, and I hope the SSC can put itself in parents' shoes and share our sentiments.
Chia Tian Gei (Ms)
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