SINGAPORE - For the first time, Singapore will be represented by a floorball team in the upcoming Special Olympics World Winter Games.

A team of eight floorball athletes will compete in the games in Austria, which are being held from March 14 to March 25.

Floorball athlete Mr Muhammad Ramadhan bin Selamat said he was thankful and honoured to be part of the first Singapore floorball team.

"My teammates and I have been practising hard and we hope to fly Singapore's flag high and proud at the upcoming World Games," he said.

Also representing Singapore is a team of six who will compete in speed skating. The games will see more than 3,000 athletes from 110 nations participating.

The 14 Special Olympics athletes on Saturday (March 11) morning took the Athlete's Oath at the official send-off ceremony, joined by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu.

The World Winter Games are held biennially and are organised by the Special Olympics, the biggest international sport movement for people with intellectual disabilities.