Committee of Supply 2025 debate, Day 7: Eric Chua on sport as a powerful force for unity

The government is committed to enable more Singaporeans to live better through sport by making sports programmes and facilities more accessible to all Singaporeans, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth Eric Chua. Speaking in parliament on Monday (Mar 10), he outlined initiatives to boost sports participation among three groups - children and youth, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and seniors. One key move is sports for PWDs, where a refreshed masterplan aims to raise the participation rate to 70 per cent by 2030 by focusing on increased accessibility, raising awareness and fulfilling aspirations. A Para Sports National Training Centre will be set up, while more para sports community hubs will be added for both PWDs and the public to enjoy sports together. The government will launch a new Enabling Sports Fund in the second half of this year to support more community initiatives in disability sports. It targets to have at least S$10 million by 2030 - S$5 million to be raised through donations and the remaining sum to be matched dollar-for-dollar by the government. For seniors, they can participate in frailty prevention and adaptive sports programmes at Active Ageing Centres. Mr Chua also outlined the government's plans to provide more Singaporeans with affordable sport facilities. “Sport has always been a powerful force for unity,” he said. He urged Singaporeans to make sports inclusion not just a goal but a “living and breathing part of who we are”.