ABSTRACT
Since Singapore gained independence in 1965, the government has invariably featured sport in the development and progress of the island-city-state. Sport as a national policy was adopted as an instrument that fostered social cohesion and national identity (independence up to the 1970s), promoted health, fitness and nationalistic objectives (1980s to 1990s), and more recently facilitated nationbuilding and international recognition (Horton 2002; McNeill et al. 2003; SSC 1998a; SSC 2008a). Like most other aspects of social and political development in Singapore, sport policy has been somewhat ‘orchestrated’ and engaged under the scrutiny of the ruling government, to the degree that the population has internalized the hegemonic influence in their lives (Horton 2002; McNeill et al. 2003).
