25 January 2010

YOG scholarship to train and study in Singapore

Six scholarships for world's young athletes to train & study in S'pore@CNA

SINGAPORE : Organisers of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) on Sunday revealed details of a sports scholarship programme for the world's young athletes.

The six scholarships are for study and training at the Singapore Sports School.

They will be awarded at every YOG to a deserving young athlete, aged between 13 and 15, from Singapore and each of the five continents.

The first batch of six scholarships will be awarded during the first YOG, which will be held from August 14-26.

They are fully funded by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, and targeted at seven Olympic sports - aquatics, athletics, badminton, football, golf, sailing and table tennis.

Ng Ser Miang, chairman of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee and vice-president of the International Olympic Committee, said the first batch of successful applicants is scheduled to begin their four-year term at the Sports School in January next year.

He said it will include another two years of the school's International Baccalaureate programme for those who can go further.

Mr Ng was speaking to journalists at the Singapore Cadet Fencing World Cup 2010, which is part of the on-going Friendship Games, at the Suntec International Convention Centre.

"This is going to be one of the legacies of the games in Singapore," said Mr Ng. "The YOG is about sports, culture and education, and it is something Singapore believes in.

"So the scholarships will continue to link Singapore to the Olympic movement and the youth of the world by bringing them here to learn, train and to take part in sports."

The scholarships will cover the athletes' school fees, accommodation, training and airfare to their home countries after the first two years.

Applications, which are not restricted to YOG athletes, opened on Sunday and will close on April 16.

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