Sustainability in Singapore\u2019s Sport Industry<\/b><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.7″ text_font=”Montserrat|500|||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”15px” header_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_font_size=”80px” header_5_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_5_text_color=”#000000″ header_5_font_size=”20px” header_5_letter_spacing=”0.5em” header_5_line_height=”1.8em” min_height=”4.7px” custom_margin=”-20px|129px|1px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”9px|0px|||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” animation_style=”zoom” animation_intensity_zoom=”5%” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”1.8em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”48px” header_font_size_phone=”32px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_5_font_size_tablet=”14px” header_5_font_size_phone=”12px” header_5_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ inline_fonts=”Montserrat”]
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Ray Lim<\/strong> takes a look into the conversation surrounding the sustainability of Singapore’s Health and Wellness Industry, as well as their professionals.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″ custom_margin=”-194px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.7″ min_height=”84px” custom_margin=”-67px|auto||auto||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-50px|auto|-100px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.7″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-22px” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”-2px||-2px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=””] Michael Phelps and Joseph Schooling (from left)<\/span> at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Photo taken from shutterstock.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”About Us” _builder_version=”4.4.7″ transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”0px|48px” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_translate_linked_phone=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|phone” min_height=”1334px” custom_margin=”-136px||-1003px|||” custom_padding=”1px||1px||true|” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=””][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.4.7″ transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-53px” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”27px|0|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px||true” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” custom_margin=”77px|auto||auto||”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.4.7″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.7″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_text_color=”#b3b3b3″ header_5_font_size=”14px” header_5_line_height=”0.5em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” max_width=”659px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|79px|104px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”14px|79px|0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|0px||||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off”] BY <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n When you think of the sport industry in Singapore, it is likely that a Physical Education (PE) teacher or Olympic athlete comes to mind.<\/span><\/p>\n Singapore has always had a strong position in nurturing a healthy lifestyle amongst the populace. After gaining independence in 1965, the government called on the nation to cultivate an inclusive and robust sporting community through sports participation; it<\/span> was seen as a way for our multiracial society to bond.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Singapore government introduced the National Fitness Exercise (NFX) in 1969 to encourage physical fitness among the masses, leading to the establishment of the National Sports Promotion Board (NSPB) in 1971. With the main goal <\/span>to promote, assist and organise international competitions, the NSPB worked with national sports associations and the Singapore National Olympic Council to manage and maintain sports facilities and stadia.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2016-08-11-at-2.21.49-PM-1.png” alt=”xia qingling chu opera hua dan wuhan” title_text=”Screen-Shot-2016-08-11-at-2.21.49-PM” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.4.7″ custom_margin=”-35px|||||” custom_padding=”34px|||||”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.7″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” min_height=”43px” custom_margin=”-20px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”] Michael Phelps and Joseph Schooling (from left)<\/span> at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Photo taken from shutterstock.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.7″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” locked=”off”] Singapore is the most generous country in terms of its financial awards for their Olympic winners.<\/span><\/a> They awarded Joseph Schooling a total of<\/span> US$1,040,000 (S$1,398,00)<\/b> for winning the gold medal. This trend of giving big payouts to national athletes works to incentivise younger athletes to train and aspire to be the best.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The opening of Singapore Sports School in April 2004<\/span><\/a>, by the then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, marked Singapore\u2019s start to this race to be the best, by providing athletically talented young individuals with an opportunity to pursue their sporting dreams and potential.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cSport is a celebration of the human spirit. Some of us do it just for fun or to keep fit. Others use it to gain honour and glory,\u201d said then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, in a 2001 interview at the Committee of Sporting Singapore. \u201cWhatever the reason, sport invigorates the body and mind. It also deepens the sense of community and fosters enduring friendships.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0The sport industry in Singapore has evolved from just being a form of recreation to accommodate the masses, to a multi-million dollar industry, with its roots in advertising and sponsorships. There are a multitude of platforms that accessorise the sport industry to promote their brands such as Nike, Puma and Adidas.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>In an article by SportPro,<\/a> Nestle Milo was said to have invested some US$2.2 million (S$2,900,000) in youth sports in 2010.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0“Singapore’s young people under the age of 25 account for about one-third of our population. This 1.16 million-strong demographic will be our next generation of elite athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, administrators and visionaries,\u201d said Oon Jin Teik, chief executive of Singapore Sports Council (SSC). \u201cThey will ensure the expansion and self-sustainability of our sports sector. Hence, we need to prepare them to take on these roles for Singapore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/DSC_0513-scaled.jpg” alt=”xia qingling chu opera hua dan wuhan” title_text=”DSC_0513″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.4.7″ custom_margin=”-35px|||||” custom_padding=”34px|||||”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.7″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” min_height=”35px” custom_margin=”-20px|||||” custom_padding=”0px||12px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”] Oliver warming up for a local race. Photo courtesy of Oliver Chong.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.7″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” custom_margin=”-32px||-1px|||” locked=”off”] Oliver Chong, 18, a professional cyclist, has been part of the national cycling squad for over a year and secured third place in a local criterium by the Singapore Cycling Federation (SCF). He was well on his way to nationals before the Covid-19 pandemic struck, stopping him in his tracks.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEntering the field of professional cycling is extremely difficult for a Singaporean like myself. A road bike can cost up to $20,000,\u201d said Oliver. \u201cI feel that professional cycling is only viable if you are willing to be motivated and committed, at the expense of sacrificing your time with friends and family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Take the pinnacle of cycling competitions, the Tour de France, for example. It is a grand tour for cyclists consisting of 21 stages, with usually 200km\u2013300km per stage. These professional cyclists have to go through a stage almost every day for 21 days to win the grand prize of \u20ac500,000 (S$<\/span>800,596<\/span>). However, the training alone for these competitions is extremely time-consuming, even in the local and professional continental races.<\/span><\/p>\n Oliver recalls being put on a training plan for four months which required him to ride for at least two hours a day on the weekdays, and up to six hours a day on the weekends. That adds up to about 600km a week, which he found to be \u201ctruly mentally draining\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt would be an amazing career if you do it well. You get to ride the best, most technologically advanced bikes, ride in the most gorgeous alps the world has to offer and basically get paid to do what you love and travel the world while doing it,\u201d said Oliver.<\/span><\/p>\n As glorious as it sounds, Oliver mentioned that it would not be feasible in the long term, at least for Singaporeans, as the level of commitment would be hard to keep up with. This can be attributed to factors such as the compulsory two years of National Service (NS) in which all Singaporean and Permanent Resident (PR) men are required to serve, as well as the demanding schedule of the Singaporean education system. As such, one simply would not have the time or stamina to follow through with such a career.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.7″ background_color=”rgba(102,193,193,0.2)”] In Singapore, there are three educational institutions for students pursuing the arts: <\/span>Laselle College of the Arts<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>School of the Arts<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Nanyang Academy of the Fine Arts<\/span><\/a>. Over <\/span>6,100 students<\/span><\/a> are enrolled in tertiary art courses or in the School of the Arts.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.7″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_text_color=”#b3b3b3″ header_5_font_size=”14px” header_5_line_height=”0.5em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” max_width=”659px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|79px|17px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”10px|79px|12px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|0px||||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off”] Management and Coaching<\/b><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/photo_2021-06-21_18-44-51.jpg” alt=”xia qingling chu opera hua dan wuhan” title_text=”photo_2021-06-21_18-44-51″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.4.7″ custom_margin=”-35px|||||” custom_padding=”34px|||||”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.7″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” min_height=”43px” custom_margin=”-20px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”] The National Stadium at Kallang. Photo courtesy of Isaiah Chua.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.7″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_font=”Montserrat|600||||||#e02b20|” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#233956″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em”] Singapore\u2019s sport industry is not just centered around athletes. Many sports hubs, such as the National Stadium and Our Tampines Hub, are built with the main goal of advocating an active lifestyle among Singaporeans of all ages. As grand and awe-inspiring these multi-million dollar sports hubs are, how useful would they be to the residents, if not for the people who manage them?<\/span><\/p>\n Mr Chong Kai Sheng, 27, told HYPE about how he first stepped foot into the sport and fitness industry when he was only 22 years old. He began by giving private personal training as a part-time job while studying in university, charging $40 to $70 per session.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/photo_2021-06-28_12-40-22.jpg” alt=”xia qingling chu opera hua dan wuhan” title_text=”photo_2021-06-28_12-40-22″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.4.7″ custom_margin=”-35px|||||” custom_padding=”34px|||||”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.7″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” min_height=”43px” custom_margin=”-20px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”] Our Tampines Hub, a sports and recreation center. Photo courtesy of Ray Lim.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.7″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_font=”Montserrat|600||||||#e02b20|” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#233956″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” min_height=”359px” custom_padding=”||0px|||”] \u201cI [now] manage a sports and recreation facility (Our Tampines Hub),\u201d said Mr Chong. \u201cI\u2019m required to attend to a wide scope of responsibilities on a day-to-day basis, that entails and is not limited to the following areas: facility management, programme and event outreach, staff management, partners and stakeholder management, general operations and more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0It is inspiring how his career in the sport industry has blossomed from giving private training as a part-time job to managing a multi-million dollar facility such as Our Tampines Hub.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Jakeem Juraimi, 19, is one of his employees at Our Tampines Hub.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cAs an active champion, we help with the backend of running the facility to ensure smooth operations day-to-day,\u201d said Jakeem. \u201cWe are involved in planning events such as camps, helping to facilitate and direct the participants, as well as planning fitness events such as zumba, yoga and spin classes for the participants.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Activities such as Zumba and spin classes see that Jakeem earns a 70 per cent cut of the class, in which each student pays anywhere from $50 to $120 per lesson. There are over 30 students in each class, but classes have dropped to a limit of 14 students due to the current pandemic measures.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cI did my degree in Business Administration, and specialised in Financial Analysis. While it may seem unrelated [to] my current work, there is a certain translatable knowledge and skill set when it comes to management. Primarily, business acumen and concepts of organisational behavior are applied at the workplace daily,\u201d said Mr Chong.<\/span><\/p>\n
Ray Lim
Places Section Editor
<\/b>Hype Issue #53<\/strong><\/p>\nPublished on<\/h5>\n
June 29, 2021<\/h5>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.7″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” max_width=”1320px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|-415px||-616px||” custom_padding=”|0px|1px|0px||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”]