SPEECHBy TANENG LIANG, CHAIRMAN, SPORTS COUNCIL AT THELAUNCHING CEREMONY AND ANNUAL AWARDS PRESENTATION OF THE F&N TRAININGSCHEME'AT NATIONAL STADIUM CONFERENCEROOM ON SATURDAY.23 FEBRUARY80, AT 11.00 AM

In the annale of our sporting history, badminton is one sport in which Singapore has produced world champions. In The 50s and even up to the early 60s our PLAYerS were amongthe best in the region and by their performance brought credit to the country But by the mid 6Os, neighbouring countries more progressive in badminton and having superior players had overtaken Singapore. TOday

I our badminton players are still struggling for recognition. Concerned with slackening standards, the F& N Badminton Training Schemewas set up in 1972. Under the guidance of a panel of qualified coaches, talented youths were trained and groomed for the higher calling of international tournaments. The best of these made it to

the national ‘Squad and players like wong Shoon Keat, have shown that they have benefitted from the systematic training. As yet WongShoon Keat has to win international honours.

The question that begs an answer is can we produce players like wong Peng Soon, Ong Poh Lim and Ismail Marjan who had the technical skills to bring us international I honours? To find an answer to this question, allow me to delve a little into high performance sports.

If we wish to achieve the high standards mentioned I above, an expressed national commitment by all concerned is necessary . This commitment needs to be in terms of an all-out application of money, science, dedication and organisational support. 2/ 2

It is clear that if Singaporeans wish to enjoy some international prominenceprcminenoe in badminton or other sports, we must be able to depend on more than ran talents. we have to call upon public support and the support of players and officials themselves who have to reorientate their thinking towards high performance sports in the context of our society. In this regard, we have discussed with Fraser & Neave (S) Pte Ltd a proposal to extend their financial support beyond the present training scheme requirements. Fraser& NeaVe, who have been the leader in training schemeethave indicated that they will consider our request favourably. Once again Fraser & Neave have shown the foresight and leadership to lend their support towards the development of a better quality in sports. Together with the Singapore Badminton Association, SSChas begun a modest training fund for the purpose of training the best potential in the national squad. We would welcome donations to this fund.

Badminton development in Singapore has reached a stage whereby if we wish to match or even keep' pace with the leading countries, we would have to switch to a higher gear of training and preparation. With the support of P T Crown and the Indonesian Badminton Association, the Singapore Sports Council and Singspore Badminton Asscciation shall be entering into arrrangement of sending four to six Singapore players to Indonesia each year 3

These players will undergo a month's training with the Indonesian coaches and players at Ragunen. we are expecting that much good will come out of this training stint. Later on,, we will also send between two and four players to take part in international championships in Indonesia, and Thailand.

I hope these steps which are being taken will spur our young badminton players from the F &N Schemeinto setting their Sights higher and developing their potential to the fullest. On this very day, the opportunity to see the worldls best players from China and'Indonesia in Singapore should also encourage our young hopefuls towards higher levels of achievement.

I commendthe efforts put in by the F &N Training SchemeAdvisory Committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Badminton Association of Singapore, the Peoplels Association end the Singapore Armed Forces Sports Association, and the coaches for discharging their duties faithfully over the years. It leaves me now to thank Fraser & Neave for its kind donation of $35,000 to the schemefor another year end hopefully their additional support in the future.