Embargoed until delivery Please check against delivery

SPEECH BY MS , MINISTER FOR CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH AT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 2016 AWARD ON 16 FEB 2017, 12.30PM AT ONE FARRER HOTEL & SPA

Sumiko Tan Executive Editor, The Straits Times

Jennifer See General Manager, F&N Foods

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

A very good afternoon to all. I am delighted to join you today at the Straits Times Athlete of the Year 2016 Award.

Sports Excellence Contributes to National Pride and Confidence

2 Let me begin by extending my heartiest congratulations to all 2016 nominees: Peter Gilchrist, New Hui Fen, Joseph Schooling, Sheik Farhan and Yip Pin Xiu. All of you achieved exceptional performances in your respective sports last year, and have done proud.

3 2016 was an extraordinary year for sports in Singapore. We witnessed the power of sport in inspiring and rallying the entire nation. Singaporeans from all walks of life came together to cheer on our Team Singapore athletes and celebrated our nation’s sporting achievements with immense pride. This is why we are committed to supporting our Team Singapore athletes in their pursuit for excellence. I know that you will continue to inspire us by building on your outstanding achievements, to scale even greater heights. Enhancing Support for High Performance Sports

1

Embargoed until delivery Please check against delivery

4 Through our Sports Excellence (spex) programme, the Government provides our aspiring athletes with sports science, training and financial support, as well as facilitates their career and academic development. I am glad to see the programme nurture a new generation of Team Singapore athletes in recent years, with our remarkable results at the recent SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games, as well as the Olympic and last year.

5 We must build on this momentum, and the Government is committed to enhancing the support system for our elite athletes. However, we cannot do this alone. We will need to forge stronger partnerships with all our stakeholders in the sports excellence ecosystem, including partners from the National Sports Associations and corporate sponsors who are here today. It is only by working hand in hand, that we can best support our athletes as they work towards achieving even more breakthroughs in the global sports arena.

Athletes can Play a Role in Engaging the Community

6 So to all our Team Singapore athletes, we will do our part in giving you the best support possible. That said, I hope you will likewise do your part, in and out of the sporting arena. Keep in mind that you are a role model for others, and you have an important role in giving back to the community. Get people connected with Team Singapore through social media. Inspire your juniors by visiting your alma mater. Encourage others to live better through sport. Connect with fellow Singaporeans so that we can continue to stand united and proud as One Team Singapore, when you fly the Singapore flag high.

2

Embargoed until delivery Please check against delivery

Concluding Remarks

7 I would like to conclude by expressing my heartfelt appreciation to the Straits Times and its sponsors for recognising the achievements of our Team Singapore athletes every year. Thank you for sharing our athletes’ incredible stories with your readers. I hope they will inspire not just the next generation of aspiring athletes, but also all young Singaporeans to passionately pursue their dreams.

8 I came across this quote by Heavyweight Boxing Champion Jack Dempsey, “A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t.” All the nominees today are champions, who have fought hard, even when the odds were against them. Once again, my heartiest congratulations to all of you.

9 Thank you.

3