Budget 2013: More help for both elite and recreational athletes

Both elite athletes and recreational sports enthusiasts will receive boosts to up their game over the next five years.

Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong said during the debate on his Ministry's budget on Friday that a "Super Sports Club" will be formed in Singapore to give citizens more chances at staying active through sports.

It will give Singaporeans more opportunities to sustain their interest and participation in sports across all levels of proficiency through delivering quality sporting programmes. A pilot phase in the Jurong region will be started this ye ar to test operational details.

Meanwhile, elite athletes will also now come under a revised national High Performance System (HPS). Sports Excellence Scholarships - backed by a $40 million war chest over five years - will be offered to up to 60 top able-bodied and disabled athletes. Those not under the scholarship - about 1,000 national athletes are expected to come under the HPS - will still benefit from more comprehensive support.