All Singapore mainstream schools to have programmes for students to experience disability sports

“FOCAL POINTS” ISLANDWIDE

Separately, SportSG also will set up Para Sports Community Hubs to grow the base of aspiring para athletes.

The first five of such hubs will be piloted across the island by the end of this year, with more to be established by 2030.

These hubs will be at Pasir Ris Sport Centre (boccia),  Heartbeat@Bedok (swimming and table tennis), Jurong West Sport Centre (swimming and para cycling), Yio Chu Kang Sport Centre (athletics and badminton) and Delta Sport Centre (goalball).

Boccia, which means to bowl in Italian, is a target ball sport played by athletes in wheelchairs. Goalball relies almost entirely on sound, having been created for those who are blind or have low vision.

These hubs will serve as “focal points” to engage sports enthusiasts and newcomers to disability sports, said MCCY.

All ActiveSG sport centres will also have a calm room by the end of 2030, starting with a pilot calm room in each zone by the end of 2025.

“Sports facilities that are accessible ensure that persons with disabilities can enjoy and play sports in these facilities in a conducive manner,” said MCCY.

“SportSG will continue to enhance access to and within ActiveSG sports facilities so that persons with different disability types find them accessible.”

There are also plans to increase the number of registered coaches under the National Registry of Coaches who can coach persons with disabilities from about 120 today to 300 by 2030.

MCCY also said that a national training centre for para sport will be located at Team Singapore’s upcoming Kallang premises.

“HTSG (Home of Team Singapore) will house the National Training Centre for para sport, with dedicated training facilities to meet the needs of selected para sports. This facility will contribute towards fostering a stronger TeamSG spirit and further develop disability sports in Singapore,” added the ministry.

“The strategic moves reflect Singapore’s commitment to inclusivity and mark a significant step in expanding sports opportunities for persons with disabilities, so that everyone has opportunities to train, play and compete together in sports,” added Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, who is president of the SDSC, Singapore National Paralympic Council and Special Olympics Singapore.

“We believe that through sport, we can build a more inclusive society that fosters empathy and improve the well-being of persons with disabilities. Together, we will build a sports ecosystem where persons of all abilities can participate and thrive in.”