ABSTRACT
This chapter is a representation of the qualitative data gleaned from the thematic analysis of participant interviews and addresses research objective one (see Figure 3.1), which is to better understand Singapore's sports culture. Reflecting on Singapore's historical development since its independence in 1965, this chapter illustrates how Singapore's dominant meritocratic culture influenced its citizens and elite sport through the paternalistic and pragmatic social engineering of the government. So focused was the government to achieve an excellent economy as rapidly as possible that sport, particularly the value of elite sport for its national athletes, was diminished, with the pursuit of educational qualifications at the forefront of Singaporeans’ minds. Despite the relatively recent attention to develop elite sport, the traditional education-conscious citizens remained resolute in focusing on educational pursuits, rather than sporting excellence, as the latter had no guarantee of a prosperous life by Singaporean standards. Through acknowledging the impact government policies had on its citizens, the connections between politics and sport are discussed, revealing the cultivated sporting culture of Singapore today (Figure 3.1).
