Recognising our Team Singapore para-athletes' efforts and achievements

Speech by Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Social and Family Development, at the Athletes Achievement Awards and Appreciation Ceremony 2024, at Novotel Singapore on Stevens on 15 October 2024.

Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, President, SNPC
Athletes, Parents,
Donors, Sponsors, Partners, 
Gentlemen and ladies,

 

1. A very good evening everybody.
2. It is indeed my privilege to be here this evening for the Singapore National Paralympics Council (SNPC) Athletes Achievement Awards.
3. Tonight, we recognise and celebrate the outstanding performance and contributions of our athletes.
4. 2024 has been a bumper year for parasport in Singapore. Across the ten editions of Paralympics that Team SG has competed at, we have sent the second-largest Team SG contingent to the Paris 2024 Paralympics, the same as Tokyo 2020.
1. Now, being able to qualify and represent the nation on the world’s largest sporting stage is an outstanding achievement in itself, and every single one of our para-athletes qualified on merit , I repeat, on merit, at these Games.
2. This year, TeamSG brought home our best medal haul in history, making it the most successful Paralympics ever for Singapore. I think that calls for some applause.

Celebrating Impressive Achievements

5. Our ten-athlete-strong contingent demonstrated not only their sporting prowess, but also their heart and resilience as they competed with the best in the world. They are truly our champions, our role models.
1. Now first, I want to congratulate Pin Xiu, who once again made Singapore proud by bringing home the gold medals for the S2 50 & 100m events, maintaining her double gold medal streak for three consecutive Paralympics.
1. PX, your record of seven gold medals in your last five Paralympic Games and continued sporting excellence is nothing short of remarkable.
2. Now I would also like to congratulate Jeralyn on her tremendous achievement in achieving a historic silver medal in Boccia on her Paralympics debut.
1. Jeralyn, you brought your game, you showed the world your grit. You have done us all proud on the global stage. You fully deserve however many bubble teas you want to drink before the Paralympics, and I hope you had plenty since coming back!
6. Now, to our other athletes, though not everyone came home with a medal, each one of you fought with heart, spirit and determination. Flying our Singapore flag at the Paris Paralympic Games is a victory in itself and we are proud of all of you. I think they all deserve another big round of applause.
1. And there were some very inspiring performances by several TeamSG athletes who impressed everyone at the Paris 2024 Games.
2. Daniel is my shooting coach, he taught me all of two lessons – 15 minutes each I think – and he is also our first TeamSG para shooter to qualify for the Paralympic Games, and he had a really good outing on his debut. Congratulations on achieving 10th position. You were just one point off making the Men’s 10m Air Pistol final. So we expect great things from you the next time round.
3. And we have Sophie. A job well done to Sophie on achieving 7th in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke final despite recovering from your elbow injury which I know lasted quite a number of months before the Games. So, kudos!
4. And there is also Wei Soong who is not here this evening, but he swam with all his might. I saw him in most of his events that he took part in. And with two top 8 finishes in the Men’s 50m Butterfly and Men’s 50m Freestyle events, he is the only ASEAN swimmer in both finals. I think we need to clap for that.
5. And we have our other para athletes – we have Laurentia. A big round of applause. Hilary is here as well and also Gemma. Syahidah is not here but Diroy is over there. Now we are just so proud of each and everyone of you for representing Singapore at the Games.
7. But I must say in sports, it is not just the outcome – the win or lose, or draw - that matters, but also the journey. Every athlete here has gone through immense challenges to compete at this level. And I am confident that such experiences will only increase the hunger for success and drive us all to do better in future games.
1. Now all of you have shown the world that despite our numbers, our small numbers, a small nation like us, Singapore is able to hold our own on the world stage.
2. You have inspired and united Singapore and Singaporeans. And for that, we honour all of you this evening.
8. Now, I also look forward to seeing all of you again in Parliament tomorrow, if you don’t mind seeing me again, where we will come together as a nation to honour and celebrate both our Olympians and Paralympians who had represented Singapore with distinction in Paris. For some like Jeralyn, it will be your first time receiving this recognition, while for others like PX, Sophie and Gemma, it is yet another feather in your cap.

Appreciating the Team Behind the Athletes

9. Now behind every athlete also stands a fully dedicated team of experts and supporters. We must take a moment to appreciate the individuals who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes as well. Of course, they too have given their time, energy and expertise to ensure our athletes can perform at their highest.
1. To our coaches, doctors, physios, sports scientists, sports medicine practitioners, sports managers and support staff – your unwavering commitment to the well-being and performance of our athletes has been vital to their success.
2. To family members, friends who have been rooting for our athletes from day one, your love and encouragement have been a powerful well spring of motivation.
3. Thank you all for your efforts in guiding and supporting our athletes. Though your contributions may go often unseen by spectators, they are essential and is a reminder that success is collective triumph.
10. Now of course, none of this would have been possible without the leadership and efforts of the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC).
1. Their dedication to the para-athlete community has allowed us to build a strong presence at the Paralympic Games.
2. So, on that note I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Dr Teo-Koh. And also thank Chef de Mission for the Paris Games, Ms Ng Wee Chew, our SNPC Board, and incredible staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Frankly, really, you don’t know how hard they work. Every single day at the Games, the team wakes up earlier than any of us Chef De Mission meetings, which kicks off the day. Then, as we all retire in the athlete village and the hotels, they continue to make sure the next day’s arrangements are all carefully taken care of.
11. I would also want to extend my gratitude to our sponsors.
1. A big thank you for your generosity. Because you have made a key difference in our athletes’ journeys, allowing them to focus on what they do best and compete at the highest levels.
2. And, my appreciation to Tote Board Singapore and DBS for your support for tonight’s Athletes Achievement Awards. Thank very much, I think they too deserve another big round of applause.

Creating a More Inclusive Singapore

12. Now as Dr Teo-Koh mentioned, sport has the unique ability to bring people and as well communities together, towards a common purpose, a higher purpose. We will continue to strengthen the sporting ecosystem for our persons with disabilities in our midst, from providing more sporting opportunities and growing the base of aspiring athletes, to helping top para-athletes realise their full potential.
13. As part of our plans for the next bound of sporting excellence, we will establish a National Training Centre (NTC) with dedicated training facilities for parasport as part of the new Home of Team Singapore.
1. The NTC will support our para-athletes to train and compete at the highest levels.
2. And it also represents our belief that every athlete, regardless of ability, deserves the opportunity to pursue excellence and be the best version of themselves.
14. We will also take steps to better support persons of all abilities in sport participation.
1. Through sport, persons with disabilities can engage and be a part of the wider community. Through sport, shared experiences are created. Through sport, bonds and connections are forged. And through sport, we can create an inclusive community where everybody, regardless of abilities, can thrive.
2. Sports enriches the lives of persons with disabilities – improving not only just physical well-being, but also social and emotional well-being.
3. By participating and competing in sports, persons with disabilities can be empowered to pursue their interests and fulfil their aspirations.
4. Now that is our vision. A vision where all persons with disabilities are engaged, enriched and ultimately, empowered through sporting participation.
5. And to achieve this, we have been updating our Disability Sports Master Plan, which we will share our recommendations very soon. And this is what Dr Teo-Koh alluded to, some good news that we will hear at the end of the year. So hopefully we will end 2024 on a good note.
15. All our efforts here are geared towards building a more inclusive Singapore. Well, we have come some way in this disability inclusion journey. It has not an easy journey. Because to find like-minded advocates, to find like-minded individuals, to be pushing the agenda for an inclusive Singapore, I would not say that it has been a journey that has been all so easy. But we will need everyone’s support moving forward. Because to move the needle even more - there is no other way than having everybody – whether you are a corporate, whether you are an individual volunteer, whether you are a community organisation, whether you are part of Government agencies – for all of us to work hand in glove so that we can all make Singapore a more caring and inclusive sporting nation.

Conclusion

16. So, I really want to end off by saying congratulations once again to all our athletes, we are all so incredibly proud of you.
17. We look forward to seeing more of your achievements in many more years to come. As the next Paralympics cycle begins, with the ASEAN, Asian Para Games on the horizon, I know that together, we will scale new heights.
18. Keep striving, keep pushing, and most importantly, keep inspiring.
19. Thank you everyone, have a great evening.