SINGAPORE – In a bid to boost Singapore basketball’s podium prospects and extend players’ longevity at the elite level, a National Youth Development Programme (NYDP) for the sport has been launched at the Singapore Sports School.
A collaboration between the school, the High Performance Sport Institute (HPSI) and the Basketball Association of Singapore, the NYDP is a structured platform for high-potential U-19 athletes in both the 3×3 and 5v5 formats.
It was first announced by Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo during a parliamentary debate on his ministry’s budget on March 5.
Such a set-up allows youths to train up to 10 times a week throughout the year, incorporating other elements such as strength and conditioning, compared to just two to four sessions a week with the national youth team during competition period.
The programme also aims to provide consistent exposure to both formats of the game, with at least 40 games a year through league games, friendlies and overseas opportunities.
Mr Neo said the intention is create a “more integrated pathway that brings together our young athletes more consistently, so that we can strengthen individual mastery and team cohesion”.
The NYDP is an example of how Singapore’s new high-performance entity, Sports Excellence Singapore (SpexSG) – to be launched on April 1 – will partner national sports associations to develop high performance plans that enhance pathways, set clearer medal targets, multi-year training and competition plans, as well as provide more consistent sport science and athlete life support, added MCCY.
Neo Beng Siang, who coached the Singapore Slingers in the now-defunct Asean Basketball League, is the NYPD’s head coach.
Responding to queries from The Straits Times, HPSI chief Su Chun Wei said the NYPD represents a “significant shift in our strategy to create an integrated National Basketball Programme that is designed to maximise Singapore’s podium potential”.
He added: “With a consistent daily training environment from youth level, the programme aims to elevate player standards and ensures athletes enter national teams – whether 3×3 or 5v5 – with superior technical skills and tactical awareness.”
The NYDP and the national 3×3 programme come under the National Basketball Programme, which creates a “seamless transition pathway with consistent coaching philosophy for athletes from youth to senior levels”, noted Su.
