National para-athlete body calls for more recognition, support for its members

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s para-athletes juggle disabilities and a rigorous training schedule to represent the nation at international competitions. 

As they prepare to hopefully bring home sporting glory at the Paris Games that begins on Wednesday (Aug 28), the national body that represents them has called for more recognition and support - similar to that given to Olympic athletes.

“They go through the sweat, they go through the tears, they go through the tiredness. We don't see that,” said Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, president of the Singapore National Paralympic Council.

“As (the) public, we only see them for those few seconds in competition, so I really need for everyone to understand and recognise that they really have put in so much hard work.”

Their tenacity and effort are opportunities for people to reflect on themselves, she added.

“Let's have them as our inspiration. Let's have them as a role model for what excellence can look like,” she said. 

In total, 10 Team Singapore para-athletes will compete in six sports at the Games: Boccia, archery, shooting, swimming, equestrian, and athletics (shot put).

Dr Teo-Koh also called on Singaporeans to rally behind the para-athletes.

“We need to let them know that Singapore is behind them. We need to reassure them that all the work they put in has been worth the effort of flying the Singapore flag as high as possible,” she said.

She urged people to send the athletes encouragement on social media “to let them know that they have their backs, that we are so proud”.

Para-athletes also require financial support, she added.

"The specialised equipment that our para-athletes need in order to help them be able to compete … are not inexpensive,” she said, giving an example of horses that are used by