The changing face of sports excellence in Singapore

Abstract

The sports culture of Singapore has undergone a number of significant changes during its history. Using Williams' (1977) theme of 'dominant-residual-emergent' elements, it is possible to identify that major changes in ideology have occurred during the colonial and post-independence periods. In colonial times, the aspirations of Government towards achievement in sport were very modest and little direct support was given to top class athletes. Since self-Government was achieved in 1959, the main thrusts have been towards sport-for-all and reaping the benefits of sport for nation building. Today, Singapore's advance as a newly industrializing country (NIC) has prompted subtle shifts of emphasis in the field of sports excellence. A Government initiative to promote high-performance sport (SPEX 2000) has focused attention on the attempt to achieve international recognition at Asian, Commonwealth, and Olympic levels. This paper examines the evolution of sporting practices associated with sport for all (dominant), sport for the leisure class (residual) and elite sport (emergent), that have have been influencial in sport in Singapore.