SINGAPORE - The first of an annual series of sporting activities collectively known as "GetActive! Singapore" will help lead up to this year's National Day celebrations by engaging Singaporeans in activity.
Sport Singapore (SportSG) announced the initiative on Tuesday (May 10) morning, unveiling details of the week-long festival that will commemorate the nation's 51st birthday through competition, festivals and community initiatives.
To be held from July 30 to Aug 7 this year, the Singapore National Games (SNG) will form the competition component. The third edition of the SNG will be expanded, featuring 16 sports (up from 12 in 2014) and for the first time, five para sports.
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu, who helped launched the scheme on Tuesday, said: "After the Asean Para Games (last December) we realised that sport is a great way for people with special needs to be involved in society. It's a great way for them to realise their potential. They don't have disabilities - they just have abilities of different levels."
The timing of the week-long activities was also deliberate, said SportSG chief executive officer Lim Teck Yin.
"We asked how we could continue to advance the idea that One Team Singapore works together (after the SEA Games and APG)," he said. "What was it that got someone proud? It was seeing someone on the podium, hearing the national anthem, seeing the flag raised. You come to the conclusion that the only thing as significant (in a non-major Games setting) is the National Day."
Children and families sports festivals will be held across 15 designated sports centres, catering to ages and abilities of all levels.
SportSG hopes that the bulk of the events will be ground-up initiatives done in partnership with the community and corporate partners. To do so, it will disburse grants of up to $25,000 (for projects) and SG$50,000 (for mass events) for partners to create and run events during the week.
FedEx Express Singapore is one of 10 partners who are already on board. Said its managing director Khoo Seng Thiam: "FedEx has been a strong advocate of healthy living as a way of life for our employees over the years. Getting involved with GetActive! Singapore is a very natural progression for us to expand that platform."
