SAA spurs youth development with reward and carding allowances

Together with hosting the 7th SEA Youth Athletics Championship, newly introduced incentives is part of Association’s drive to groom young talents

(Singapore, 21 April 2012) – Singapore Athletic Association’s policies are in place to develop young athletes, as the association launches a youth reward and carding scheme ahead of next weekend’s 7th Southeast Asian Youth Athletics Championships.

The nation’s 81 representatives stand a chance to vie for the newly introduced reward and carding allowances the SAA has planned for youths.

Together with Singapore hosting the 44-event SEA Youth Athletics Championship, incentives are part of Singapore Athletic Association’s (SAA) youth development efforts to nurture the future of Singapore’s Athletes.

All Youth record breakers and their coaches will each receive a $100 incentive upon ratification of their records. Carded under-20 Junior and under-18 Youth athletes and their coaches will also receive funding of up to $80 monthly.

SAA’s development and training policies are on the right track, with the success of Singapore’s young 4x100m Men’s relay team. SAA is on the lookout to nurture the next relay team, with a $500 bonus to be shared amongst the Youth relay team record breakers. Coaches will also receive the same amount. Carded Junior and Youth Athletes of the relay teams as well as their coaches will enjoy a $300 allowance each.

Said SAA President Tang Weng Fei, “The future of athletics lies in our youths. The rewards and carding allowances scheme is a recognition of a job well done by the Association! This should mean more than actual dollars to the athletes. It also complements our development plans where the SEA Youth Athletics Championships is part of SAA’s Youth development pathway, and to prepare for our future.”

Rewards and carding allowances for senior athletes have also grown, with the inclusion of allowances for senior athletes meeting the SEA Games silver medal mark. Senior relay teams who break the national record or carding standards will also receive a bonus. (Refer to Annex for more information).

12-medal target at SEA Youth Athletics Championships

The SEA Youth Athletics Championship continues to be an important race for young athletes as they gain ground and experience for sustained growth in the sport.

Following Singapore’s four golds, three silvers and four bronzes haul last year, SAA hopes that the squad will bring in a dozen medals at this year’s meet.

Said Mr Tang, “The Thais, the Vietnamese and the Indonesians are our closest competitors. Our athletes will benchmark themselves against them and use this competition to improve.”

Medalists and their coaches will receive a monetary incentive to help defray their training costs. Kindly sponsored by Mr Tang, $300, $200 and $100 for Gold, Silver and Bronze medalists respectively will be given, with relay teams receiving double the amount.

Top athletes from SAA’s Track and Field series and the National’s Schools Track and Field Championships were identified to take part in this event. Pole Vaulters Carmel Teo (Henderson Secondary School) and Chan Sheng Yao (Hwa Chong Institution), 100m Hurdler Jannah Wong (Katong Convent), High Jumper Benjamin Ong (Singapore Sports School) will compete for an even better showing. Returning Youth athletes who are set to blaze the trail include sprinters Eugenia Tan and Veronica Shanti Pereira (Singapore Sports School), and 400m and 4x400m relay runner Charlene Oh (CHIJ Toa Payoh).

Said sprinter Eugenia Tan who is also running in the 4x100m event, “I’m very nervous but excited about next week’s competition. I’ll continue to train hard to maintain my form and target a Top 4 position in the 100m event.”

All apparel for athletes, coaches, team managers and officials are sponsored by FBT.

For latest updates about the SEA Youth Athletics Championships, log on to www.seayouth.sg. Members of the public are welcomed to support Singapore’s future Athletes in action at Bishan Stadium. 500 free tickets are available daily, with lucky draw prizes sponsored by Akira up for grabs.