Singapore has awarded some 1.1 million Singapore dollars to 414 student-athletes under this year's edition of the Singapore Olympic Foundation Peter Lim Scholarship. The disbursement marks another round of support for young sporting talent across the country.
The scholarship was established in 2010 with the aim of supporting promising young athletes who come from financially challenged backgrounds. By easing the financial pressure on these families, the scheme seeks to ensure that talented youngsters can continue to pursue their sport alongside their studies.
This year's beneficiaries are drawn from 119 schools and span 41 different sports. Notably, the list now includes newer additions such as e-sports, cricket and water ski, reflecting the broadening range of disciplines that young Singaporeans are taking up.
Since its inception, the scholarship has grown into a substantial pillar of support for youth sport. It has disbursed more than 5,680 awards worth a total of 13.7 million Singapore dollars, underlining the scale of the assistance provided over the years.
Organisers framed the award as more than financial help. The scholarship, they said, represents a vote of confidence in the recipients' potential, not only as athletes but as role models and future leaders, adding that the support comes with a responsibility to strive for excellence, uphold integrity and inspire those around them.
Among the scheme's notable past recipients is national sprinter Shanti Pereira, who received the scholarship in 2014 and 2015. The athlete, one of Singapore's most prominent track stars, is now focusing on the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, scheduled to take place from 23 July to 2 August.