This is the first time that government efforts to make sports facilities more accessible have been extended to include the use of school indoor sports halls.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Community Development, Youth and Sports) Teo Ser Luck announced in Parliament yesterday that the move is part of an ongoing drive to raise sports participation.

Since 2003, school fields have been made available to the public. As of last year, 120 school fields have been open to the public during weekends.

The latest announcement follows the positive response to a pilot programme at four schools - Anderson Secondary, Bedok View Secondary, Pasir Ris Secondary and Yishun Town Secondary.

Rates for using the halls will be no different from what the Singapore Sports Council charges for use of its sports facilities.

For badminton enthusiast Melody Tan, 24, the change is welcome: 'Whenever I try to book a court online, it's always fully booked. By opening up school halls, there will be more courts available and more opportunities to play.'

LIN XINYI