Honouring the achievements of Team Singapore Paralympians

Speech by Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, on the motion to congratulate Team Singapore Paralympians on their achievements at the 2016 Rio Paralympics

1. Madam Speaker, I beg to move.

2. “That this House congratulates the Team Singapore Paralympians for their achievements at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.”

3. I would like to acknowledge the presence of our Team Singapore Paralympians, as well as former Chairman of the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, who are here with us in Chamber today. The House is gathered here to acknowledge the achievements of Team Singapore in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

4. Our Paralympians, with their incredible feats in Rio, have uplifted the nation. Adding to an already impressive haul of 1 Gold, 2 Silvers and 3 Bronzes from past Games, our Paralympians brought home another 2 Gold and 1 Bronze medals. This year, we had 13 athletes qualifying and representing Singapore across 6 sports and 21 events – almost doubling the contingent of 8 athletes at the 2012 Paralympic Games. My heartiest congratulations to all of you.

5. Beyond medals, each Paralympian has shown us what it means to be a champion – to be counted among the world's best, and fly our flag high at the world's biggest stage for para sports.

6. These 13 extraordinary athletes have shown us that with hard work and sacrifice, we can realise our dreams. Their achievements also exemplify how a nation as small as ours can punch above its weight.

7. I am honoured to have witnessed some of their amazing and inspiring performances. Mdm Speaker, allow me to speak about our talented Paralympians.

Recognition for One Team Singapore

8. Let me start with our Boccia athletes, Nurulasyiqah Taha and Toh Sze Ning, who put in a formidable performance, finished fourth in the BC3 Mixed Pairs event. They were in impressive form at the Games and beat the teams from Greece and Portugal, the Gold and Silver medallists respectively from the 2012 Paralympic Games. While Nurul and Sze Ning were disappointed that they could not bring back a Paralympic medal this time, I believe that they will grow stronger from this experience and do better in future.

9. Nur Syahidah Alim was a double Gold medallist at the ASEAN Para Games, and became our first archer ever to compete at the Paralympics. In the lead-up to the Paralympics, Syahidah trained six hours per day, 6 times a week. Her result in the Women's Individual Compound event was testament to her hard work and determination. Her round of 16 match pitted her against an athlete ranked 4th in the Ranking Round. Despite some problems with her stool which affected her stability, she held her nerve and went on to beat her opponent. She also put up a tremendous fight in the quarter-final match. Facing the eventual Bronze medallist in unpredictable wind conditions, she lost the match by just 2 points (135 to 137). She displayed great sportsmanship, always having a smile on her face and was a crowd favourite.

10. The Equestrian team of Laurentia Tan, Maximillian Tan and Gemma Rose Foo had to contend with serious injury setbacks in the months leading up to the Paralympics. Laurentia injured her spine, Maximillian hurt his hip joint, while Gemma ruptured a spleen. But that did not deter our riders, who continued to train hard, sometimes in pain, to represent Singapore in Rio. Their courage, determination and fighting spirit certainly filled us all with pride. They showed us the importance of perseverance in the things we are passionate about, and that a positive attitude is often the best medicine for unexpected setbacks.

11. At 39 years young and a Paralympic Games debutant, Norsilawati Sa'at is an inspiration to us all. She has shown us that age is certainly not a barrier to sports and excellence. Despite taking a break from wheelchair racing in 2011 and returning only last year, Sila made tremendous progress to qualify for the Paralympics. Besides her pet event – the 100-metre T52, she was also extended an invitation to participate in the Women's 400-metre T52 Finals so that the race could proceed with the minimum of 5 competitors. She graciously accepted the invitation, gave it her all, and finished with a personal best time.

12. Our long-jumper, Suhairi Suhani, is the baby of the team at just 19 years old. Known by those around him to be a model athlete, Suhairi never complained and only wanted to learn and keep improving. With his discipline and positive attitude, he achieved a personal best in the Men's Long Jump T20 Final in his Paralympics debut.

13. After winning a Gold medal at the China Open Athletics Championships earlier this year, Diroy Noordin made his Paralympics debut in the Men's Javelin and Shot Put events. I am certain that Diroy will continue to inspire other persons with disabilities to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams. We look forward to stronger performances from Suhairi and Diroy at future events.

14. Our Sailors, Jovin Tan and Yap Qian Yin, had to contend with not just the world class competitors, but harsh weather and rough seas. After a commendable showing in the earlier races, our sailors, unfortunately, had to be withdrawn for safety reasons towards the end of the competition although they steadfastly wanted to soldier on. I would like to commend them for their determination and fighting spirit, for trying as hard as they did and not giving up.

15. Last but not least, we have our Swimmers. Theresa Goh is one of our most experienced Paralympians: this is her fourth Paralympics. After more than a decade of sweat and tears, months spent training and competing overseas, and hour after hour spent in the pool, she finally won her first Paralympic medal. It was a long and hard journey, but I think she would agree that it was all worth it. To us all, Theresa is a symbol of commitment, resolve and dedication.

16. Her good friend and team-mate, Yip Pin Xiu, achieved the extraordinary feat of clinching two Gold medals. She even broke the world record in the Women's 100-metre S2 Final. These were unforgettable moments as the Singapore flag was hoisted and the Majulah Singapura was played in the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio. Pin Xiu now has three Paralympic Golds, making her the most decorated Team Singapore athlete at the Olympics and Paralympics. Despite her achievements, she is always humble, grounded and appreciative of the support from her friends and family. To all our aspiring athletes, TG and PX as they are affectionally known, are perfect role models. To Singaporeans, they represent the sporting heroes that we all look up to.

17. My warmest congratulations to all the athletes again!

Support for an athlete

18. Our Paralympians' achievements would not be possible without the “Team behind the Team”. I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to the care-givers, coaches, family and friends of our Paralympians, as well as officials from the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) and Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC). I would like to commend Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, former President of SDSC and former Chairman of SNPC, for her tireless contribution over the years in developing disability sport in Singapore, and for nurturing a strong contingent of para athletes who have done us proud at several major Games leading up to the Rio Paralympics.

19. I would also like to acknowledge Mr Ho Cheng Kwee, Chef-de-Mission of our Paralympic contingent, for his leadership and commitment in ensuring the athletes' well-being for the Games.

20. Special recognition and thanks must also go to the team at the Singapore Sports Institute, who work tirelessly to provide our athletes with the best system of support. This includes access to sports medicine, sports science, and physiotherapy services, so that our Paralympians can train and compete with peace of mind, and in the best possible conditions.

One Team Singapore

21. It was heartening to also see the outpouring of pride and appreciation from Singaporeans from all walks of life. We saw a large crowd at Changi Airport, cheering and welcoming our Paralympians as they touched down from Rio. We saw even more lining the streets during the celebratory parade. Among them was 9-year-old Teo Choon Khang, who has been taking swimming lessons since he was three, even though he has cerebral palsy. After watching his idol Theresa Goh clinch the Bronze medal, he is now filled with hope that one day, he too can swim in the Paralympics. Madam Lim Sook Wei, her husband, and her 10-year-old son Hugh Lee, who has autism, travelled all the way from Jurong to Sengkang to meet Pin Xiu. Madam Lim said, “We are so glad to meet her, and my heart is still pumping. We hope that our son is inspired [by Pin Xiu's achievements] and learns that nothing is impossible.” Our Paralympians have certainly become our nation's sporting heroes, and I believe they will continue to inspire many more Singaporeans in time to come.

22. Pin Xiu said after her win that, “Nothing is impossible as long as you set your mind to it. It might not be the goal that you will eventually hope to get but, along the way, through the process, you will learn many things about yourself [and about] other things that will [help you]. It's better than not having tried at all.”

23. Indeed, we are proud of our Paralympians' achievements, but we are even prouder of the fact that they have taken the plunge, sacrificed so much, and done so with such courage and tenacity. They are not constrained by their limitations, but instead are driven towards what is possible.

24. Thank you for your excellent performance; thank you for your inspirations; thank you all to our Team Singapore athletes. Congratulations once more.

25. Madam Speaker, I beg to move.