"An opportunity for us to take forward that culture of respect for all": Speech by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Paralympic Fiesta Organised by the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) on 4th May 2024, at Our Tampines Hub

Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development,

Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth, and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development

Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, President, Singapore National Paralympic Council,

Community Leaders, Volunteers, Donors and other Guests,

Good afternoon. This Paralympic Fiesta is a celebration as well as an eye-opener for all of us.

We celebrate the mental strength and the sporting excellence achieved by our Paralympians past and present.

We celebrate how more differently-abled Singaporeans are stretching the limits of what they can achieve. And more than celebrating their courage and achievements, this is also a broader opportunity for all of us: to be inspired and to push the limits of our own thinking:  to recognise and believe in what we are each capable of, as fellow Singaporeans of many different abilities. It is an opportunity for us to take forward that culture of respect for all.

And there is a way in which that respect and belief in each other is empowering. It helps us believe even more in what we are ourselves capable of, and it especially helps those who face a disadvantage to believe more in themselves. As our Paralympian swimming hero Theresa Goh herself said some years ago:

“Once the training and hard work was done, the blood, sweat and tears shed, it was all down to belief. Thank you for believing in me so much that I believed too.”

That’s why this is empowering, this virtuous cycle of inspiration that we create. By respecting what we each do, by believing in every ability and contribution, we help everyone believe even more in themselves, to aim higher, and to inspire us all even more. 

One more thing I should say about shifting our mindsets.

It helps us all to recognise that persons with disabilities have lives that are not simply defined by a disability. They have broader interests and aspirations like everyone else. They want to live life to the fullest and contribute in many ways. And they often put more effort than others into living life fully.

We see that amongst our Paralympians themselves. Para shooter Daniel Chan spends hours in the shooting range, six times a week. But he is also an avid player of Go (Weiqi), and in fact runs a Go academy. There may be a connection I suppose, as both Weiqi and shooting require a calm and steady mind.

Likewise para swimmer Toh Wei Soong, who has been winning golds both in the Asian and ASEAN Para games. He puts in immense training, here and abroad. Yet Wei Soong is also a magazine editor and essay writer, and a jazz bass player, beside studying at NUS.

Finally, to our para-athlete stars who will pursue their dreams in Paris later this year – Yip Pin Xiu, Wei Soong and Sophie Soon in swimming, Nur Syahidah Alim in archery, Daniel in shooting, Laurentia Tan, Gemma Foo and Hilary Su in the equestrian team, and those who might yet qualify soon – our hopes are with you. Keep flying our flag high, and inspiring all of us!

And a big thank you to all of you, our para athletes, those of you who have worked tirelessly in the Singapore National Paralympic Council, the Government, the volunteers here at OTH, the donors and all the other stakeholders involved, for organising this wonderful Fiesta and for your commitment to promoting inclusivity and empowerment through sports.