Forum: Disability Sports Master Plan aims to build more inclusive sporting culture with help from all
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We thank Tan Sai Hong for his letter, “Organisations have helped special needs community feel valued” (Aug 4). His son’s journey reflects what inclusive sport is ultimately about.
Sport is more than just physical activity. It offers opportunities for persons with disabilities to discover their strengths and participate more fully in our community. Regular and structured programmes can also provide important support for families and caregivers.
Play Inclusive is one example of this in action. As Singapore’s largest inclusive sport competition, it recently concluded its ninth edition, bringing together close to 3,500 participants and volunteers. Co-organised by SportCares, the philanthropic arm of Sport Singapore, Special Olympics Singapore, and the Singapore Disability Sports Council, the event was made possible with the strong support of more than 100 stakeholders, including schools, corporations and sporting organisations.
By bringing together persons with disabilities, volunteers, schools, families and the wider community through sport, initiatives such as Play Inclusive and Play-Ability create opportunities for meaningful interactions and friendships.
This is also the vision behind the Disability Sports Master Plan, which aims to build a more inclusive sporting culture where everyone, regardless of age or ability, can enjoy sport, contribute and benefit from it. This cannot be achieved by the Government or any single organisation alone. It requires all of us to play a part, whether as family members, volunteers, caregivers, coaches, educators, employers or fellow Singaporeans, to create welcoming spaces and encourage participation.
Community organisations and ground-up initiatives are important to this endeavour. Through initiatives such as the Enabling Sports Fund, we support community efforts that help make sport more accessible and inclusive for all. We encourage more partners with good ideas to come.
We are encouraged by stories such as Tan’s. We will continue working with our partners to enable more persons of all abilities and their families to participate fully and meaningfully in our sporting community, and build a more inclusive Singapore.
Marcus Tan
Chief, Sport Development Group
Sport Singapore
