Singapore has taken a major step in strengthening its high-performance sports pipeline, unveiling its largest-ever group of athletes under the Sport Excellence (Spex) programmes. A record 247 athletes across the spexScholarship and spexPotential schemes will receive enhanced support as the nation gears up for future regional and global competitions, including the highly anticipated 2029 home Games.
The announcement was made at an investiture ceremony held at the Singapore Sports School, attended by nearly 300 guests, including Team Singapore athletes, families, National Sport Associations, and corporate partners.
Record Cohorts Signal Stronger Podium Ambitions
The flagship spexScholarship programme welcomed 22 new athletes this year, including nine promoted from the 2025 spexPotential cohort, bringing the total number of scholars to a record 107 across 30 sports.
Among the standout inductees are Paralympian Theresa Goh, who recently transitioned from swimming to shooting and clinched gold at her first ASEAN Para Games appearance, alpine skier Faiz Basha, Singapore’s first Winter Olympics representative in a snow event, and hurdler Calvin Quek, who ended a 60-year gold medal drought in the men’s 400m hurdles at the SEA Games.
Meanwhile, the spexPotential programme expanded to its largest intake yet, with 87 new athletes joining a total cohort of 140 across 31 sports. The programme continues to deepen Singapore’s talent pool, particularly in athletics, combat sports, gymnastics, and table tennis.
Notable newcomers include Siti Khadijah, who made history by winning Singapore’s first women’s sanda medal at the SEA Games shortly after switching sports, Nicholas Khaw, a gold medallist in mixed recognised poomsae, and table tennis player Chloe Lai, who reached the quarter-finals at the WTT Singapore Smash.
Enhanced Ecosystem with Launch of SpexSG
In a significant development, Sport Singapore officially launched Sport Excellence Singapore (SpexSG) on 1 April 2026. This new entity integrates key institutions such as the High Performance Sport Institute, Singapore Sports School, and Unleash the Roar! initiative.
The move aims to provide more coordinated and personalised support for athletes, spanning performance training, sport science, and holistic development. Beyond competition, athletes will benefit from guidance in education, career planning, financial literacy, and personal growth.
Guest-of-Honour David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Senior Minister of State for Education, outlined Singapore’s long-term vision at the ceremony. This includes expanding athlete support, strengthening National Sport Associations, and boosting specialist capabilities, all in preparation for a strong showing at the 2029 Games on home soil.
Supporting Dual Careers Through Education
Complementing athletic development, five athletes were awarded the spexEducation Undergraduate Scholarship this year. Introduced in 2025, the initiative supports athletes in balancing academic pursuits with elite sport.
Four recipients are on the Dual Career track, allowing them to study while competing, while one is on the New Career Track, designed for post-retirement education. To date, 16 athletes have benefited from the scholarship, which is supported by the President’s Challenge.
Under the new SpexSG framework, the Singapore Sports School will also serve as a central education hub for student-athletes, offering university advisory services and support for those studying overseas.
Building Pathways for Long-Term Success
Beyond scholarships, SpexSG provides a comprehensive suite of initiatives, including career transition programmes, financial assistance schemes, and employment networks, ensuring athletes are supported throughout and beyond their sporting journeys.
