Children keen to get out and play next month can look forward to more than 50 holiday programmes at 19 ActiveSG sport centres islandwide, including ones in Ang Mo Kio, Jurong West and Bedok that house swimming pools, gyms and tennis courts.
ActiveSG - a national movement that aims to encourage Singaporeans and permanent residents of all ages to take up a healthy lifestyle through sports - has expanded its holiday offerings this year. New activities include scuba diving and Boogie Bounce Xtreme - an aerobic workout carried out on mini trampolines.
This is in response to strong interest from the public, said an ActiveSG spokesman.
Last year, about 8,000 children took part in ActiveSG programmes for kids.
Anyone who signs up with ActiveSG will receive a complimentary credit of $100, which can be used to help pay for up to 30 per cent of the programme fees.
ActiveSG clubs and academies that hone children's skills in sports were also launched last month. Children aged six to 12 can sign up for the Football Academy, helmed by former Singapore striker Aleksandar Duric, as well as an athletics club led by head coaches Melvin Tan and Steven Quek, both established instructors in the local athletics scene.
Dr Esther Chia, who is on the planning committee of the ActiveSG Athletics Club, said the academies were introduced to give children more opportunities to take part in sports.
"We found that there are many Singapore children who actually enjoy sports, but slowly lose interest because they lack opportunities to play, especially if they are unable to make the cut for their school teams," she said.
She also encouraged mums and dads to take up some of the parent-child activities on offer, such as golf or archery.
"Parents can engage in the same activities as their children, so they can learn what their children are going through. They can guide the children throughout the learning process and foster family bonds," she said.
Senior engineer Ong Gin Yong, 45, hopes to send his eight-year-old son for badminton programmes next month.
"He attended a three-day football workshop during the March holidays and really enjoyed it. He really likes football, but couldn't get into the school's team, so it was a good chance for him to relax and enjoy the sport," said Mr Ong.
Yuen Sin
