Speech by President Halimah Yacob at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games Send-Off Ceremony

Ms Grace Fu

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth

Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang

President of Special Olympics Singapore

Dr Mohamed Omar Abdulla Balfaqeeh

Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Singapore

Distinguished guests, athletes, officials, family members, caregivers, supporters, ladies and gentlemen

Good morning!

I am happy to join you today at the send-off ceremony for the Special Olympics World Summer Games, taking place in Abu Dhabi from 14 to 21 March 2019.

Representing Singapore this year are 30 Team Singapore athletes competing across six sports, and they are led by Head of Delegation, Mr Lee Theng Ngee.  Please join me in giving our contingent a hearty round of applause!

Sport has the power to uplift lives, and nurture important life skills such as teamwork and resilience. At the same time, sport provides opportunities for people of all abilities to come together through play, bringing us closer together as one people, and forging a more inclusive and caring nation.

For more than 50 years, the Special Olympics movement has been changing lives and promoting a more inclusive world where everyone is accepted and cherished. In a fragmented world, it is especially important for everyone to be given the opportunity to participate together.

These are aspirations that we share as a people.  In Singapore, we have been working towards building an inclusive nation, where everyone has a role and place.  This means giving persons with disabilities every opportunity to use their talents and lead meaningful lives.  We are proud to be a part of this global movement through the efforts of Special Olympics Singapore.

In particular, Special Olympics Singapore has been providing individuals with intellectual disabilities opportunities to enjoy sports, improve physical fitness and build friendships.  In addition to sports programmes, Special Olympics Singapore offers a holistic approach, with programmes such as health screening, fundamental movement skill development and athlete leadership development.

I understand that all 30 of our Team Singapore athletes are debutants at the Special Olympics.  This being your first time participating, I am sure all of you are eagerly looking forward to the Games! Behind each athlete is a story of determination and a celebration of life. Take for example, twenty-five-year-old shuttler Vikesh Magenthran, who joined Special Olympics Singapore’s Badminton Outreach Programme two years ago. He trains regularly and constantly seeks to improve his skills. In addition, Vikesh is studying to become a Healthcare Assistant at the Devan Nair Institute, and works part-time at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.  Vikesh will be leading the Team Singapore contingent in reciting the Special Olympics athletes’ oath later today.

I am also heartened that this year marks the first time Singapore is sending a team to participate in Unified Sports®Basketball.  Unified Sports® is a concept at the Special Olympics World Games, where Special Olympics athletes play alongside team mates without intellectual disabilities, known as unified partners. Six Special Olympics athletes and three unified partners will be representing Singapore in Unified Sports® Basketball.  One of the unified partners is Ryan Pek, a 20-year-old student.  When Ryan joined Special Olympics Singapore’s Basketball Outreach Programme, he had little experience interacting with persons with intellectual disabilities. Through thrice-weekly trainings, Ryan now enjoys playing alongside his teammates, as friends and equals in the sporting arena.

Finally, I would like to recognise the efforts of the “team behind the team” – family members, caregivers, coaches, officials, volunteers, sponsors, supporters, and Special Olympics staff – who have been accompanying the athletes on every step of their journey.  You have been champions for our athletes and a pillar of strength, providing them with support, encouragement and love along the way.

To our athletes – I would like to thank you for inspiring us – for showing us there are indeed no boundaries in sports.

I wish our Team Singapore contingent the very best at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games. Thank you, ambassador, for hosting the Special Olympics Summer Game. Enjoy the competition, but more importantly, treasure the ties and friendships.  Have a safe and enjoyable Games!

. . . . . .