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By Audris Woon
Following the success of the boccia programme it endorsed in 2006, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI) has once again pledged its unwavering support towards the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) by generously donating $45,000 to fund the Learn-to-Play Wheelchair Basketball Programme that will be launched in 2007.
In recent years, the JCCI has played a pivotal role in the development of disabled sports by funding both the wheelchair tennis and boccia programmes organised by the SDSC. Both programmes brought about far-reaching impacts on the disabled community by providing many wheelchair-bound and severely disabled members opportunities to participate in sports. It was only with JCCI’s support that the SDSC could successfully organise several national championships which allowed the disabled to interact and learn from competing against one another. And with the positive feedback received, such as the pride the boccia players felt to be able to play in their first local championship, the new Wheelchair Basketball Programme looks set for success with the enthusiasm of the organising bodies and the wheelchair basketball community in Singapore.
It is certainly an unquestionable fact that basketball is one of the most commonly-played sports in Singapore. Its popularity transcends all boundaries, with it being a favourite among the different age groups that appeals both to females and males. Capitalising on its widespread popularity, SDSC aims to tap on wheelchair basketball to promote better integration between the disabled and able-bodied communities.
In addition, a history of active participation in the sport by the Singapore wheelchair basketball community provides even greater motivation for SDSC, which aims to resurrect the level of sporting excellence since the introduction of wheelchair basketball in Singapore in the 1980s. In 2003, Singapore organized the 1st ASEAN Wheelchair Basketball Championships in which our players won the bronze medal. SDSC hopes to revive the local passion for the sport and grooming players into a competitive team.
The Learn-to-Play Wheelchair Basketball Programme is specially tailored such that it allows a beginner to pick up the sport easily, as participants learn basic skills through a structured coaching framework. SDSC hopes to encourage the disabled to pursue this sport more actively as it helps to improve one’s motor skills and strategic abilities.
With support from JCCI and the wheelchair basketball community in Singapore, the Learn-to-Play Wheelchair Basketball Programme is confident of bringing a breath of new life to the disabled sports scene in Singapore and more importantly, bring our community closer together.