Singapore Budget 2014: NSAs can tap into $25 million fund to support innovative ideas

National Sports Associations (NSAs) with novel plans can now tap on a $25 million "ideas fund". -- ST FILE PHOTO: DESMOND LIM
National Sports Associations (NSAs) with novel plans can now tap on a $25 million "ideas fund". -- ST FILE PHOTO: DESMOND LIM

National Sports Associations (NSAs) with novel plans can now tap on a $25 million "ideas fund".

Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong announced in Parliament on Tuesday that the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) will set aside $25 million over the next five years for innovative programmes that NSAs come up with.

Mr Wong said: "(The fund) will support innovative ideas to bring their sport to the next level, for the community and for Singapore."

Mr Wong also reiterated his support for athletes who opt to train full-time ahead of next June's SEA Games, which will be hosted in the new Sports Hub.

He said: "In terms of direct government funding, our national athletes will receive $60 million over five years. This includes grants for training and loss of wages, and the Sports Excellence (Spex) Scholarship which we announced last year.

"We are prepared to provide additional funding to enable more athletes to train full-time in preparation for the 2015 Games."

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