Building an inclusive society in Singapore through sports

Ms Mary Davis, Acting CEO, Special Olympics International

Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, President, Special Olympics Singapore

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Good morning. I'm happy to be here with all of you, as we discuss ways to make the Special Olympics movement even more beneficial for people with special needs.

2. It's heartening to note that the Special Olympics has continued to be strongly supported in 170 countries. It started in 1962 as a day camp, but has become a global movement today. At last July's Special Olympics World Games, more than 6,500 athletes from 165 countries competed across 25 sports.

3. I'm particularly proud of our Singapore contingent comprising 33 athletes and 15 officials. We won a total of 12 Gold medals, including one from Table Tennis, even though it was the first time we were competing in the sport. They showed us that there should be no barriers for persons with and without intellectual disabilities to play together. Despite being in an unfamiliar place, our athletes kept their nerves, did their best, and did Singapore proud.

4. Indeed, through the Special Olympics, we want to find more ways to improve the lives of people with special needs. Special Olympics Singapore, for example, partners about ten Voluntary Welfare Organisations to reach out to persons with intellectual disabilities in its sports training programmes and competitions. Beyond providing sporting opportunities, Special Olympics Singapore also helps its athletes form a close-knit community with their peers and families, so that they can find mutual support more easily.

5. Last December, when Singapore hosted the 8th ASEAN Para Games, we saw athletes of all abilities, all nationalities come together to make the Games exciting and very memorable. As Team Singapore, we sent our largest contingent of 156 athletes, competed in all 15 sports, and scored our best showing so far with one World Record, seven Games Records and 49 Personal Bests.

6. But more than records or medals, hosting the ASEAN Para Games boosted the momentum in the movement for inclusivity in sport in Singapore. Our special education schools, for example, have been conducting adapted physical education lessons and a range of other sports programmes for their students. In the coming months, we will also be introducing programmes for disability sports like swimming, football and table tennis at sports centres around the country. We will be working with our partners, including those in the private sector, to get the whole nation more involved with disability sport.

7. Your discussions today can help us take it a step further, in making a difference to the lives of others. I wish you a fruitful day of learning and sharing ahead.