<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Foreign Sports Talent scheme is needed
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to last Saturday's letter by Mr Vernon Sim, 'Punish disloyal foreign sports talent'.
The Foreign Sports Talent scheme was established in 1993 with the aim to increase the competitiveness of Singapore on the world sporting stage and, at the same time, raise the standard of competition for local athletes.
The Singapore Sports Council (SSC) believes the key to sustainable success in the world sporting arena is to put in place high-performance systems and processes, which include effective local talent identification and development. The SSC monitors all athletes' performance periodically and continues to refine the high-performance system to provide a supportive environment for all athletes to reach new heights of excellence.
All athletes who don the Singapore national colours when competing in the international sporting arena are Singaporeans. All athletes receive the same opportunities and considerations to allow them to reach their full sporting potential.
It is a personal decision on an athlete's part, should he decide to retire from international competition. The SSC works closely with the national sports associations to support athletes throughout their sporting career and to ensure they are ready to embark on a successful life after sports on retirement.
We thank Mr Sim for his feedback and hope he will join in the celebration of the efforts and success of all Singapore's Olympic athletes.
Wayde Clews
Chief
High Performance Group
Singapore Sports Council <!-- end of for each --><!-- Current Ratings : start --><!-- Current Ratings : end --><!-- vbbintegration : start -->
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to last Saturday's letter by Mr Vernon Sim, 'Punish disloyal foreign sports talent'.
The Foreign Sports Talent scheme was established in 1993 with the aim to increase the competitiveness of Singapore on the world sporting stage and, at the same time, raise the standard of competition for local athletes.
The Singapore Sports Council (SSC) believes the key to sustainable success in the world sporting arena is to put in place high-performance systems and processes, which include effective local talent identification and development. The SSC monitors all athletes' performance periodically and continues to refine the high-performance system to provide a supportive environment for all athletes to reach new heights of excellence.
All athletes who don the Singapore national colours when competing in the international sporting arena are Singaporeans. All athletes receive the same opportunities and considerations to allow them to reach their full sporting potential.
It is a personal decision on an athlete's part, should he decide to retire from international competition. The SSC works closely with the national sports associations to support athletes throughout their sporting career and to ensure they are ready to embark on a successful life after sports on retirement.
We thank Mr Sim for his feedback and hope he will join in the celebration of the efforts and success of all Singapore's Olympic athletes.
Wayde Clews
Chief
High Performance Group
Singapore Sports Council <!-- end of for each --><!-- Current Ratings : start --><!-- Current Ratings : end --><!-- vbbintegration : start -->
