Inspiring more people to believe in themselves through sport

Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, President, SDSC
Mr Tan Teck Hock, Principal, Singapore Sports School
Distinguished guests,
Athletes,
Ladies and gentlemen,

1. Good afternoon to all of you, and I'm most delighted to be here for the launch of the Singapore National Para Games, or SNPG. After the successes of last year's National Disability League and ASEAN Para Games, it is great to see our aspiring and elite para athletes compete once again.

A platform for PwDs to fulfil their sporting aspirations

2. I think we all recognise the power of sport to motivate and to inspire. Sport has no boundaries, and gives people of all abilities the opportunity to lead more engaged and fulfilled lives.

3. You might recall that we recently launched the Disability Sports Master Plan. It complements existing platforms and provides new opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in sports and enjoy its benefits.

4. The SNPG is one such platform. Besides allowing elite para athletes in Singapore to compete at the highest level, the competition also enables aspiring sportspersons to participate meaningfully. 

5. Take Mr Tan Whee Boon for example. He lost his limbs from a case of food poisoning, but he never gave up on life, and took up table tennis, and I'm told also, wheelchair rugby, and swimming to remain active. I'm delighted he has taken it one step further and will be competing in table tennis as part of the SNPG this year

6. Family support is extremely important as well. For many of our athletes, it is the support and encouragement from their loved ones that help them overcome their disabilities, and live more meaningful lives through sport. So I would like to acknowledge parents like Mr Lim Boon Ghee, who makes time to train with his daughter and Boccia athlete Faye, despite holding a full-time job. Besides assisting her during her trainings and competitions, Mr Lim also sometimes plays Boccia with Faye at home, helps her strategise and get better at the game. Faye has represented Singapore at the APG last year and even won a Silver medal. Her life has been enriched by sport.

7. I hope these stories and the SNPG will inspire even more persons with disabilities to believe in themselves, their abilities, and their power to be extraordinary through sport. 

Everyone can play a part to foster a more inclusive society

8. Similarly, I hope those around them, whether family, friends or strangers, can see past their disabilities and focus on their abilities instead.

9. More than just changing mindsets, we want to continue fostering a culture of inclusiveness and giving.

10. Just last month I participated in a run organised by Runninghour, an inclusive running club that pairs running guides with the visually impaired. I met many people with special needs who are passionate about running. They tell me that after a few runs, they can “smell the air around” and can “feel the terrain”, and they can “hear the sound around it” and they know where they are. So they really enjoy the freedom that running gives to them. But they can only do so because of the volunteers, who guided them, who led them, who run beside them, alongside, behind, in front, just to let them feel the feeling of running. So it is volunteers who dedicated themselves to many, many hours, weeks, months, alongside persons with disabilities that are able to see them enjoying sports. And between them, special bonds of friendship have been formed. I was most touched by that very, very strong community spirit, in that everyone knows everyone. So Runninghour has expanded to include persons with autism and other special needs in their running practice. If you're interested, please look up Runninghour. They are always in need of more volunteers so that they can help more persons with disabilities. And they have gone abroad to run as well – that's how extensive the group has organised themselves and they are running regularly, not just at one location, but they move around. It shows there's tremendous confidence and resilience in them.

11. Many ground-up initiatives like Runninghour are organising sporting activities on their own, and some catering specifically to persons with special needs. I am sure most of you are aware that today is part of the nine-day GetActive! Singapore week. An example is the “Everybody Play Ping Pong” event, gathering people of all ages and abilities to play table tennis in a fun and inclusive environment. I think that's happening tomorrow. Any of you who are interested, please make some time for tomorrow as well. Another initiative is one conducted by a Yoga instructor, who uses Yoga to help children with special needs relax and be more self-aware. I'm very, very heartened to see that Singaporeans are organising, devoting themselves, dedicating their time to help those in need live better and live a more fulfilling live.

12. I'm happy to know that that the Singapore Sports School has also stepped up to partner SDSC in organising this year's SNPG. I'd like to say a very big thank you to Principal Mr Tan, as well as the teachers, staff and pupils of Sports School for making this possible, for bringing so much joy, for bringing the opportunities to benefit from sport to so many people. So give yourselves a big round of applause. You truly deserve it, well done!

13. I understand the students have also raised about $70,000 for SDSC last year through the sale of T-Shirts. And I'm delighted to learn that the school intends to make this event an annual community project for its students and staff. I'm told earlier also that the students have raised in excess of $60,000 this year. So well done again.

14. Similarly, I'd like to thank the sponsors and partners, including Haw Par Corporation and Sodexo for supporting SDSC and its cause.

Make the most out of the Games

15. So I urge all of you – athletes, spectators, volunteers, to make the most of the Games.

16. Athletes – this is your chance to shine, to challenge yourselves and to celebrate your sporting and life journey. Enjoy yourselves and make lots of friends.

17. For the students and volunteers, I'm sure you'll be awed by the amazing talents and resilience that you will witness in the next two months. Beyond the Games, I urge all of you to continue volunteering your time and services for the PwD community, and support our national athletes. In fact, as we speak, the Rio Olympic Games is getting underway, with the Paralympics happening next month. I hope that all of you are tuning in and supporting our athletes as they fly the Singapore flag high in Rio. I'd also like to give my special wishes to our Paralympians who will be making their way to Rio in September. I hope all of you will give Team Singapore your fullest support.

Conclusion

18. Let me conclude by congratulating all the athletes here today. You are a winner by stepping out in pursuit of your sporting aspirations. I'm sure you will do well and I wish all of you a successful Games.

19. Thank you and have a good afternoon.