Speech by President Halimah Yacob at the SportCares Picnic at Istana

Mr Lim Teck Yin, CEO Sport Singapore

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good afternoon.

I am happy to host friends and partners of the SportCares family at the Istana today.

Established in 2012, the SportCares Foundation seeks to change lives through sport.  Over the last six years, SportCares has shown how sport strengthen individuals with the courage to step forward and grow, as well as ignite a sense of belonging and pride as a vital spirit of giving back to society. Using athletics, basketball, football, outdoor adventure, rugby, sailing, swimming and tennis as key channels for social development through sport, SportCares today mentors close to 1,000 children and youths. They have, in turn, collectively contributed more than 20,000 hours of volunteerism in the community.

SportCares has also created common spaces for persons with disabilities and special needs to learn new sports, be empowered and more involved in the community. I am heartened to note the success of Play-Ability since I launched it in March last year. The programme has gained momentum. It has expanded its participant numbers from 30 to 100, establishing a bigger footprint from one to five locations across Singapore and more importantly, getting the involvement of volunteers from the community to support the programme so that more persons with disabilities and special needs can participate in sport. I must emphasise that this is a very important programme to engage them. Without engagement, their situations may regress. Sport is a meaningful way to engage persons with disabilities and special needs so that they can be part of our society.     

There have been many positive examples of how individuals’ lives have been transformed through SportCares’ efforts. Take for example, 21-year-old Saturday Night Lights footballer – Rafiqin Muhd Bin Ramli. When he was younger, Rafiqin frequently got involved in skirmishes with his teammates on the field. With care, guidance and nurturing from his SportCares coach, Mr Sofiyan, Rafiqin has not only become a better footballer but has also strengthened his character. Rafiqin likens his coach to a GPS that guided him to the right path.  Today, Rafiqin is the top youth volunteer at SportCares, devoting his time to coaching a team of children from diverse backgrounds. To him, it feels right that he is giving back to the community through sport.

The growth of SportCares over the years is only made possible with support from volunteers, coaches as well as partners and donors. The collective efforts of this community of care, show that by working together, we can uplift our friends and those in need, and that through sports, we can bring out the best in one another to reach even greater heights.

It is timely for us to acknowledge and recognise the contributions of individuals and organisations who have supported SportCares in their initiatives. The SportCares Award honours individuals, community organisations and corporates that have achieved excellence in empowering communities, especially the underserved and the vulnerable, through sports.

These award recipients all have powerful stories to tell. For Coach Daniel Lee, his volunteer efforts with the Wheelchair Rugby team in 2016 motivated him to become the team’s volunteer coach. A drafter in a design company, Coach Daniel frequently takes time off work to accompany the team at overseas competitions and trains three times a week in the evenings with his teammates.

Another notable recipient is the NTU Welfare Services Club.  A SportCares partner since 2015, the group of undergraduates from NTU has not only raised $50,000 for the Sea Lions programme, they also volunteer their time every week to coordinate, organise and run the programme for the youths from Homes. You have shown that academically inclined also have a heart and can play a part to contribute back to the community.

I would like to congratulate all recipients of the inaugural SportCares Award 2019.  We are grateful for your contributions. Your stories are a motivation to many. I hope many more will come forward.

Beyond these recipients, I would also like to acknowledge the contributions made by volunteers including Mr Noor Faizal bin Rabu, Mr Lim Seng Kee and Mdm Dilijan, coaches such as Mr Isa Halim, Mr Elangovan, and Mr Sharin Jamal, as well as SportCares partners and donors like the Changi Foundation, Seletar Country Club and AXA Insurance Singapore. The community of care eco-system was only possible because of you.

Sport is a powerful medium to not only engage the community but to involve everyone, regardless of capabilities and abilities. I hope that we can continue the momentum to create more opportunities for everyone to enjoy sport as one people.

I wish everyone a very pleasant afternoon. Enjoy yourselves.