I have no doubts about this, and am certain that Ms Lee and many of our gymnasts had benefited tremendously from being privately coached at these clubs.

While I can completely understand her good intentions, I also have to stress that the fees charged by private gym clubs are just too much for many of us to stomach.

A quick check on the Internet will show that the lowest rate charged by a private school per term is $260 for 1.5-hour session per week. This compares to what the Singapore Sports Council (Bishan) is charging per term, at $185.40 for two-hourly twice-a-week sessions.

The fees for private training amount to almost three times that offered by SSC. This is similar to a family sending a child to a private pre-school versus the basic one run for the general public.

Although the more affluent parents may be able to send their children to such creme de la creme classes, surely there are many others like me who are unable to carry such a financial burden.

Although there are advantages of attending a privately-run class, such fees are simply beyond the means of an average household. Does it then mean that if we are unable to go for private coaching, our children should be deprived to try or do something of their liking?

Good job, SSC. But what happened next? By charging nominal fees, SSC is doing an excellent job in opening such opportunities for all. However, by not offering a continuation to its programme, SSC is slapping its face after a commendable start.

Perhaps the SSC should look into its marketing strategies. Perhaps it should question why the waiting list for its gym programme is so long, yet it is constantly using the 'insufficient participants' excuse for not resuming a class?

Chia Tian Gei (Ms)