Debated in Parliament on 9 Jan 2024.
Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) whether SportSG prioritises groups over individuals for the booking of its sports facilities; (b) how can the booking system be improved to facilitate easier booking by individuals; and (c) how does SportSG prevent the profiteering and monopolisation of group bookings.
The Government has steadily increased and enhanced its provision of sports facilities for both public use and national team training over time, as part of its Sports Facilities Master Plan. To support the training of national teams and athletes, National Sports Associations are accorded priority in the booking of sports facilities. Sport Singapore (SportSG) also facilitates bookings by public agencies to deliver community sporting programmes, such as the Ministry of Education's school programmes and events. Apart from this, in all other cases, including for individuals and other groups, bookings are done through the online booking system.
SportSG has been enhancing its online booking system to improve the booking experience by ActiveSG members. We have also introduced another avenue for individuals to play sports regularly through the ActiveSG Sport Interest Groups. Individuals can join the Interest Groups and take part in the selected sport without having to separately make a booking for the sport facility. From 17 January 2024, ActiveSG members can sign up for these interest groups via the ActiveSG app.
The Government takes a strong view against the profiteering of bookings for public sports facilities. SportSG has adopted a number of enhanced measures to combat such practices. These are detailed in the oral reply to a Parliamentary Question on 4 July 2023. [Please refer to "Strengthening ActiveSG's Booking Software System", Official Report, 4 July 2023, Vol 95, Issue 106, Oral Answers to Questions section.]
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