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National Track & Field Meet 2006 - Results, Awards and News

By Ong Sze Ying

Day 1
On 22nd July 2005, both junior and adult athletes congregated together at Bukit Gombak Stadium. It was a hot and sunny day, but the weather did not break anyone’s spirit as everyone was eagerly anticipating the start of the National Track And Field Meet.

All athletes were excited and displayed brilliant sportsmanship. While the track events were going on, the other competitors at the waiting area cheered their hearts out for every athlete running on the track. Some even ran next to the athletes who looked tired, encouraging them not to give up, and to finish the race. The field events were equally exciting. The field athletes gave it their all and pushed themselves to their limit.

Overall, the whole event displayed the athleticism, strength and courage of all participants, who showed that their disability would not impede them in their athletic pursuits.

Day 2
The day finally arrived for one of the most anticipated events on track – wheelchair racing. Because of the speed needed and curvature of the track, a special type of wheelchair is used during racing. The wheelchair is lower and it has an extra wheel in front. It also has a mechanism that you can tap to adjust the direction you are going, so that you can go around a bend smoothly.

Besides special features which are tailored for racing needs, a racing wheelchair usually is customized for an athlete. To acquire a dynamic performance, a wheelchair has to fit the athlete’s body shape, measurements and flexibility. A normal wheelchair does not come cheap, let alone a racing wheelchair. Tailoring a racing wheelchair can cost somewhere between S$10, 000 to S$13, 000.

Therefore, usually, only professional wheelchair racers own racing wheelchairs. But for three lucky kids who participated in this year’s National Track and Field Meet, it was like a dream coming true as they raced against each other on the track on racing wheelchairs provided by SDSC. The wheelchairs were an investment that SDSC made to nurture young talents and to spread awareness of this adrenaline-pumping sport. And clearly, wheelchair racing is headed for popularity, as one could easily see from the sea of eyeballs glued to the wheelchair racing events throughout the meet.

After some events and a lunch break, the prize presentation ceremony for the previous week’s winners was held. Although rain poured throughout the ceremony, the hearty cheers and applause from the crowd clearly showed that their spirits were not dampened. The prizes were given out by guest-of-honour, Mr Michael Teo (Chief Operating Officer of the JPMorgan Chase Bank – Singapore, long-time sponsor of the National Track and Field Meet), and Mr Tan Ju Seng (President of SDSC).

As the weather did not turn for the better and technical advisors deemed the tracks unsafe for further competition, the meet ended after the prize presentation ceremony. Thirteen events remained uncompleted. Although it was a disappointing turn of events, everyone still went home with smiles as they had enjoyed themselves while it lasted.

SDSC will be delivering medals for the winners of 29 July to their respective organizations or schools.

For more photos of the meet, please click here
To check results and medal award list of the Meet, please click here.

If you are unable to read the files, please click on the left icon to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Announcement
Due to wet weather on 29 July, 13 events remained uncompleted. Due to the lack of resources, the organising secretariat has regretfully announced the discontinuation of the uncompleted events. 

If you have not received your medals, please email us or call +65 6342 3106.

Thank you for your support.