The Singapore Prize is an award which promotes thought-leadership and the exchange of ideas among cities. It is named after Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew, who was instrumental in the development of Singapore into a clean, green garden city.
In its first year, the prize offered 12 top prizes of $10,000 each. A total of 43 writers submitted for the 2022 edition. In the consumer choice category, 4,000 readers voted. One winner would receive a gold medal and a commemorative momento.
This year’s award will be awarded at a ceremony on Sept 14 at the National Gallery. The Laureate will be given a gold medal, a certificate and an award certificate.
To qualify for the Singapore Prize, the athlete must have competed in an event in Singapore, either during prelims or in a timed final. The athletes were also required to have been nominated by one of the 16 associations.
Several athletes were nominated for this award during the 1990s, including five disabled athletes. Five disabled athletes were also nominated for Sportsman of the Year in 1990.
The Singapore Olympic and Sports Council introduced Awards in 1967. In addition to the Major Games Award Programme, athletes were eligible for other awards as well. These included the SAL Gold Medal, which includes an annual $800 cash prize and a commemorative momento.
Team Singapore has been recognised for its efforts during the SEA Games and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The medallists received SGD365,000 for winning the SEA Games and another SGD365,000 for their achievements at the Birmingham 2022 Games.
For the Olympic Games, the winners of the gold, silver and bronze medals will receive a cash prize of up to S$1 million. Likewise, team Olympic athletes are awarded up to $2 million. Individual Olympic athletes can also win up to S$500,000.
On a personal level, Joseph Schooling will receive prize money for the upcoming SEA Games. He will no longer be able to take time off from his National Service, however. And while he was rewarded for his performance, SNOC declined to provide an explanation for his award.
Another athlete, Amanda Lim, was also penalised for using cannabis. She was rewarded with a monetary bonus, but was put on a disciplinary committee for her actions. While her action was initially viewed as a breach of her contract, the committee was later said to have found her conduct “not guilty”.
Meanwhile, table tennis star Feng Tianwei won three gold medals and is expected to take home S$250.000. An expendable gift of S$100,000 from FengHe Group will also support her prize. However, she must donate 20% of her prize money to the National Sports Association to fund future training.
During the Southeast Asian Games, 68 athletes were awarded prize money. As a result, a total of 47 gold, four silver and 71 bronze medals were earned. Some of the sports that were nominated were athletics, weightlifting, fencing and swimming.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore and the Centre for Liveable Cities co-organise the Singapore Prize. It is also supported by the National Arts Council, the National Library Board and the National Book Development Council of Singapore.