Singapore Disability Sports Council
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“Welcome Back Team Singapore!” - FESPIC Games Homecoming
By Nurul Taqiah Yussof |
Singapore sent a contingent of 39 athletes to compete in the KL '06 Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (FESPIC) and they returned with 17 medals (See Medal Tally here ) on the 2nd of December to the National Stadium. At least a whole hour before the Team Singapore athletes arrived, family members were ready with their clappers and enthusiastically waving their mini Singapore flags and homemade banners. |
Even though there was a delay in the arrival of athletes, the upbeat mood of the families could not be dampened. Mr. Oon Jin Teik, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Sports Council, was also present to extend a warm welcome home to the athletes.
The homecoming was not the only cause for celebration as the athletes had further inspired joy and pride by surpassing the gold medal forecast previously gauged at a conservative 2. In the aftermath of the FESPIC Games, held in Kuala Lumpur from 25th November to 1st December 2006, Team Singapore bagged 7 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronzes. National swimmer Theresa Goh even went on to break three FESPIC Games records in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle swimming events.
Another proud owner of the gold medal, Jovin Tan emerged victorious in the Men’s Access 2.3 Dinghy (Sailing) event despite participating with a history of hydrophobia and being the most severely disabled in his competition category. However, Jovin was confident of his mental strength and the experience he had gained from previous games, which gave him an edge against his fellow competitors. Still, he remains humble about his win and claims he has more to learn and strive for. Fellow medalists, Bahkia Hashim and Khristine Quek, echo his sentiments. For them, competing in the FESPIC games was not primarily about winning medals but they were motivated by the challenge to be found and the experiences to be gained.
We wish the athletes all the best in coveting a spot in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. May they continue being successful in their endeavours and making Singapore proud.
