Para sports: New committee to promote participation and inclusiveness

Sailors Jovin Tan (left) and Yap Qian Yin (right), who won the two-person keelboat gold medal at the Asian Para Games in October 2014. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong announced on Thursday the formation of the Committee for Di
Sailors Jovin Tan (left) and Yap Qian Yin (right), who won the two-person keelboat gold medal at the Asian Para Games in October 2014. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong announced on Thursday the formation of the Committee for Disability Sports, a body tasked with promoting sports participation among the disabled, among other functions. -- ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong announced on Thursday the formation of the Committee for Disability Sports, a body tasked with promoting sports participation among the disabled, among other functions.

The committee will be chaired by Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) Sam Tan. Mr Tan will be assisted by MCCY permanent secretary Yeoh Chee Yan, who is the committee's deputy chairman.

The committee will be looking to raise awareness of and participation in sport by persons with disabilities, and engender greater inclusiveness and understanding of persons with disabilities through disability sports.

Said Mr Wong: "The committee will see how we can break down barriers and expand opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sports... we will draw on the wisdom and experience of the people, private and public sectors to chart a holistic plan to take participation in para sports in Singapore to the next level."

Other agencies represented on the committee are the Ministry of Social and Family Development, Ministry of Education, Sport Singapore, Singapore Disability Sports Council, Special Olympics Singapore, National Council of Social Services, and the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre.

The announcement was made at the Athletes' Achievement Award cum Appreciation Reception, a dinner event held in celebration of Team Singapore's performance at the 2014 Incheon Asian Para Games.

In South Korea, the Republic's 53-strong contingent yielded a best-ever haul of one gold, one silver, and four bronzes.

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