Steadfast in advancing disability sports in Singapore

President Tony Tan and Mrs Mary Tan,

Mr Sam Tan, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, MCCY

Assoc. Prof. Mohan Menon, President, SDSC,

Team Singapore athletes, Parents, Volunteers, Officials, Sponsors and Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

1. I am very happy to be with you here tonight to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Singapore Disability Sports Council, or the SDSC. 

2. Over the last 40 years, SDSC has been steadfast in advancing disability sports in Singapore.

   a) You have provided people with disabilities the opportunity to participate, train and excel in para sports.

   b) You have helped to prepare our para-athletes and to raise the standards of disability sport.

3. So on this milestone of your 40th birthday, let me once again thank everyone in SDSC. Thank you for your commitment and passion in the work that you do.

4. The Government is committed to providing more support for disability sports. This is actually part of our vision for all Singaporeans to live better through sports.

5. Some of you may recall in 2011, we had a major exercise where we gathered all our stakeholders to chart out our long-term direction for sports in Singapore. One key theme which emerged from our discussions, and was “Sports Without Boundaries”.

6. In other words, we want sports to be inclusive, with opportunities for all to participate. We want all Singaporeans to be able to experience the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle through sports.

7. Since then, MCCY, my ministry and Singapore Sports Council have also been working hard to realise these goals.

   a) For example, we are setting up new sports centres as part of our Sports Facilities Masterplan; Sports centres across the island with access for all to be able to make use of these facilities;

   b) We are expanding the suite of sport programmes for all ages and all abilities through ActiveSG, which is a new movement that we are initiating, which we hope will be eventually a national movement for sports in Singapore;

   c) We are also building up the SportCares foundation which is a movement that leverages on the power of sports to reach out to the disadvantaged and vulnerable members of our society.

8. With these initiatives and programmes, we can and we will progressively break down the barriers that often prevent people with disabilities from participating in sport. We will build more physical access to our facilities such as ramps for swimming pools. We will start to build up and hold a central stock of specialised equipment that may be required for training. We will also work with our partners to enhance outreach to all Singaporeans. Our aim is to provide Singaporeans of all abilities with the opportunity to participate in sport. I think this is a goal we all share and is a common goal which we can all work towards.

9. One major catalyst to move things forward is the ASEAN Para Games in Dec next year. This is the first time Singapore is hosting the Para Games. So, it's a major milestone for our nation, and also for disability sports. So we will do all we can to ensure a successful and impactful Games.

10. MCCY will set up an Organising Committee for the Games, which I will chair, and I've asked Senior Parliamentary Secretary Sam Tan to be the Deputy Chair. We are still in the process of identifying and inviting people to the committee, as well as to join us in the all the various organisational teams and the volunteer teams to help us host this event. So if we approach you, please say yes, and join us in shaping this historic event.

11. For our para athletes, I'm sure the Games will be special one, because it is a chance to compete on our home ground, in front of a home crowd.

12. We've recently launched our campaign for the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games. The theme is “Celebrate the Extraordinary”. It's a good tagline for the SEA Games. I think it's even more appropriate for the Para Games, because what our para athletes do is truly extraordinary.

13. All our para athletes have to overcome many challenges to compete at a high level. In fact, I saw our para athletes in action recently in Myanmar. I saw them in boccia, football, swimming, table-tennis, rack & field. Across these different sports, our athletes showed tremendous courage, grit and determination. Everyone of you has a story to tell, and each of your stories is an inspiration to Singaporeans. You have shown us how sports can uplift not just yourselves, but also those around you. So we salute all our para athletes for your efforts! Congratulations and well done!

14. I also want to recognise the people who have contributed behind-the-scenes to support our para athletes. I got a first-hand experience when I was in Myanmar. For our para athletes to start preparing for the games, they really need a whole cast of supporting team to help them and work with them – waking up early, making a lot of preparations for them. So I want to take this opportunity to thank all volunteers, caregivers, team managers, supporters, friends and families for your devotion to our athletes. It is your unwavering support that has made it possible for our athletes to thrive.

15. I know how much it means for our athletes to be able to fly our country's flag high. The sense of pride was palpable everywhere I went in Myanmar. In our team village when I met our athletes, they were very proud to represent Singapore in the Asean Para Games in Myanmar. And I am sure it will be felt even more strongly when we hold the Games in Singapore next year.

16. So, we want even more athletes to have the chance to train, to represent Singapore, and compete at the Para Games. For Myanmar, we had 52 athletes in our delegation. For 2015 next year, we intend to double the number of athletes. This will be the biggest contingent ever that Singapore will send to the Para Games. It's going to be a significant leap in terms of reaching out to get this number of athletes, but I believe that can be done. The SSC will work closely with SNPC and the SDSC to start reaching out and identifying these athletes and more importantly, supporting their preparations and training.

17. Beyond just hosting the Para Games and participating in it, I hope that the event itself will play a pivotal role in shaping societal attitudes and mindsets.

18. Through the Games, we can learn to better appreciate and value without distinction people with disabilities; we can mature as a society, where the quality of life for people with disabilities is enhanced, where inclusion for all becomes a reality, and where every individual is supported to reach his or her full potential. This to me is the legacy we want to leave behind from the ASEAN Para Games.

19. All this cannot be done by the Government alone. It depends on the willingness of every sector of our society to break down barriers in order to ensure a better quality of life for people with disabilities. So we need the continued support of all parties – individuals, communities and corporate partners. 

20. I want to thank all who have made contributions over the past years to the SDSC – including sponsors like the Tote Board, the Singapore Contractors Association. As we prepare for the ASEAN Para Games next year, I hope even more will step forward to contribute in whatever way you can, be it by giving time, talent or a financial donation. We must all do our part to support our para athletes.

21. Finally, let me congratulate SDSC once again on four decades of promoting disability sport. We have an exciting agenda ahead and lots to do in the coming year. So, I look forward to working with the Council to organise a successful ASEAN Para Games – one that celebrates the extraordinary, that emphasises ability rather than disability, and that fulfils our vision of a more inclusive society for all Singaporeans.

22. Thank you very much.