Singapore Sports Council Act 1973<\/strong>. If passed, it will redefine the country\u2019s understanding of what qualifies as a sport, with esports and mind sports formally included for the first time.<\/p>\nThe proposal reflects the nation\u2019s evolving sporting culture and the growing recognition that digital competition now plays a major role in both youth engagement and international events.<\/p>\n
What the Bill Proposes<\/h3>\n
The amendment, numbered Bill No. 19\/2025<\/strong>, seeks to expand the role of the Singapore Sports Council (SSC),<\/strong>\u00a0also known as Sport Singapore (SportSG), <\/strong>\u00a0beyond traditional athletics.<\/p>\nUnder the Bill, SportSG\u2019s remit would grow to include:<\/p>\n
\n- Esports and mind sports<\/strong> like chess and bridge within its official definition of sports<\/li>\n
- Accreditation and regulation<\/strong> of facilities, coaching, and equipment<\/li>\n
- Athlete development and training institutions<\/strong> for both physical and digital athletes<\/li>\n
- Partnership with the Singapore National Paralympic Council<\/strong>, elevating inclusivity in the nation\u2019s sports ecosystem<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The amendment also proposes increasing the Council\u2019s membership<\/strong> from 15 to 25 members, allowing for more diverse representation across sporting disciplines.<\/p>\nOnce the Bill passes through Parliament and receives formal assent from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam<\/strong>, the change will be enacted into law and published in the Government Gazette.<\/p>\nEsports\u2019 Rapid Rise in Singapore<\/h3>\n
Esports has already become a major force in Singapore\u2019s entertainment and sporting culture. The country hosted The International 2022<\/strong>, the world\u2019s largest Dota 2 tournament, marking the first time the event was held in Southeast Asia. It also welcomed the inaugural Olympic Esports Week in 2023<\/strong>, solidifying its reputation as a regional hub for gaming and digital competition.<\/p>\nGovernment officials have highlighted the strong economic potential of the gaming industry. At Gamescom Asia 2024<\/strong>, Singapore\u2019s Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan<\/strong> noted that the video games and esports markets are projected to grow at annual rates of 13.3% and 9.2%<\/strong>, respectively.<\/p>\nThis growth is mirrored in mind sports too, with national chess participation climbing by nearly 20% since 2022<\/strong>, and Singapore even hosting the World Chess Championship<\/strong> last year.<\/p>\nIndustry Leaders Applaud the Move<\/h3>\n
Among those celebrating the proposed amendment is Min-Liang Tan<\/strong>, Founder and CEO of Razer<\/strong>, who praised the decision as a \u201cprogressive step forward\u201d for Singapore\u2019s gaming community.<\/p>\n\u201cAs a gamer from Singapore \u2014 and now as CEO of Razer \u2014 this really hits home,\u201d Tan said in a LinkedIn post. \u201cWhen I was growing up, gaming wasn\u2019t something most people took seriously. To see Singapore now formally recognising esports as a legitimate sport is incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that this step \u201copens the door for structured athlete development, coaching, and pathways for young talent \u2014 whether they\u2019re competing on a field, a chessboard, or in an esports arena.\u201d<\/p>\n
Razer itself has been heavily involved in Singapore\u2019s gaming innovation, launching an AI Centre of Excellence<\/strong> locally earlier this year, further linking esports with technological and economic development.<\/p>\nWhat This Could Mean for the Future<\/h3>\n
If enacted, this legislation would make Singapore one of the few countries in the world to legally recognise esports as an official sport<\/strong>, joining nations like South Korea and China.<\/p>\nThe impact could be far-reaching. Formal recognition means esports athletes could receive structured funding, access to national facilities, and official representation under Team Singapore<\/strong>. It could also pave the way for education pathways, government-backed training, and even Olympic inclusion<\/strong> in the long term.<\/p>\nFor the broader industry, it legitimises gaming as a viable career and strengthens Singapore\u2019s ambition to be Asia\u2019s premier esports hub<\/strong>. With support from both public and private sectors, the country could see a new wave of local esports talent rising to global prominence, backed by the same institutional support once reserved for traditional sports.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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