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For Immediate Release
15 January 2008
The Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) is pleased to announce the official launch of the Athlete Achievement Awards (AAA), with the generous support from the Singapore Totalisator Board. One of the first to benefit from this scheme will be the gold medallists from the upcoming 4th ASEAN Para Games, equivalent of the South-East Asia Games for athletes with disability.
The 4th ASEAN Para Games will be held in Korat, Thailand, from 20 to 26 January. In 2005, Singapore’s 30 representatives returned with 14 gold, 10 silver and 9 bronze medals. This year, Singapore will be sending its largest contingent to the Games, comprising 57 athletes and 35 officials. The team is expected to return with a record number of medals for Singapore.
Based on the new AAA scheme, Singapore’s gold medallists will be awarded S$1000 for each of their wins at the Games.
The AAA scheme is modelled after the MAP to reward disabled athletes for their hard work and sacrifices. The quantum is tagged at 10 per cent of what able-bodied medallists receive, to stay comparative to the participation level in disability sports. However, the SDSC will be monitoring the scheme closely to make recommendations for revisions.
“Of course it would be nice if the amount is the same as what the able-bodied sportspeople are getting but I’m just glad that there’s a start,” says Ms Theresa Goh Rui Si, 21-year-old swimmer who has represented Singapore previously in the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games and is currently holding two world records.
“I do not encourage playing sports for financial gain, but the reward scheme is great to ‘repay’ the years of dedication, hard work and sacrifice. While training gear and most of the transport expenses are covered, the amount of time put into training cannot be repaid. I know there are other athletes out there who may not be as fortunate as me. After training so hard and bringing glory to their country, a reward would help them get their life back on track a little quicker. It also doesn’t hurt to offer them the reward simply as a reward for doing well.”
“SDSC is also looking for more ways to substantiate the AAA further, because we are catering to people who have to overcome more challenges like transport, work, and health limitations in order to claim those achievements,” said Mr Tan Ju Seng, President of the SDSC. “Therefore, we are exploring rewards such as medical cover and equipment, transport grants and healthcare subsidies to make the AAA to be a more well-rounded incentive scheme and not just monetary-oriented.”
The Singapore Totalisator Board has committed to co-fund 80% of the total awards costs under the AAA, for a period of three years from 2008 to 2010. This means that medallists of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, the 2009 ASEAN Para Games, and the 2010 Asian Para Games (previously FESPIC Games), will stand to benefit.
Mr Tan added, “The AAA will provide a foundation to recognise the achievements of disabled athletes, which we hope to build on for the acknowledgment of other broader achievements of disabled athletes, such as world records.”
“I hope this will spur the present athletes on. But I also hope that these athletes still remember that this is not the reason for them to strive,” said Theresa.
The AAA scheme structure is attached in Annex A.
The 4th ASEAN Para Games Singapore team will be departing for Thailand next Thursday, 17 January, at Changi Airport Terminal 2 Gate 10, via SQ 970. The send-off ceremony will begin at 7 am and all supporters are welcome. Mr Teo Ser Luck, Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, will be present to motivate the local teams.
For more information on the 4th ASEAN Para Games, please visit http://apg.sdsc.org.sg
About Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC)
SDSC is the only organisation in Singapore that caters to sports for persons across all kinds of disabilities. It aims to help the disabled lead full and independent lives through sports. Besides providing sporting opportunities for them to realize their potential, SDSC trains talents to represent Singapore and pursue excellence at regional and international competitions. For more information, please visit us at http://www.sdsc.org.sg.
For enquiries, please call
Jeff Ang
Corporate Communications Executive
Singapore Disability Sports Council
Office: 6342 3566 Mobile: 9878 3386
Email:
Annex A: Athletes Achievement Awards (AAA) Structure
Annex B: Background of AAA and Past Rewards
Annex C: About the 4th ASEAN Para Games