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By Loh Shih Ying
On 18 August 2007, the Marina Bay Challenge 2007 was launched at the world’s first and largest Floating Platform as its first public event after the National Day Parade. Held as part of Singapore’s 42nd birthday celebrations, the Challenge promised loads of fun for families, friends and the less fortunate and it certainly didn’t fail to, despite some rainfall towards the end.
It was a joint effort as volunteers from Community Chest, Nanyang Technological University Welfare Services (NTU WSC), People’s Association Youth Movement (PAYM) came together to raise funds and awareness for the needy and the disabled. Beneficiaries included Association for the Persons with Special Needs Centre for Adults, St Andrew’s Autism Centre, MINDS Yio Chu Kang Gardens School and many more.
It started off peacefully in the morning as people came to participate in the 6km Heartstrings Walk @ Marina Bay 2007, during which you might have caught a glimpse of some members from the Lawn Bowls Association for the Disabled (LBAD). Booths set up were either selling items made by the beneficiaries themselves or organizing mini games that the public could participate in. The most popular booth was the AIA Sports Challenge where participants could try to score goals!
Soon, over 200 athletes from the Special Olympics and other sporting organizations gathered at the floating platform to take part in the Challenge Ur Limits (CurL), a dragon boating experience in the waters of Marina Bay. Though it was interrupted by heavy rainstorm in the late morning, the participants displayed commendable enthusiasm throughout the event.
It was definitely a meaningful and enjoyable time for all the participants. We sincerely hope that more can come forward to bring across such events to help promote sports in Singapore in future.