Singapore Disability Sports Council

14 July 2006 (Fri) to 16 July 2006 (Sun)
Le Meridien Changi Village Hotel

The ASEAN Disability Sailing Federation Inaugural Assembly was held with much oomph at Changi Village Hotel from 14 to 16 July 2006. Organised by Sailability Singapore and supported by the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) and Singapore Sports Council (SSC), delegates from all 10 ASEAN countires attended the event. The Guest-of-Honour was Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports.

This assembly built upon the successful Young Enabled Sailors (YES) - ASIA Conference held in Singapore last year. A pro tem committee was formed during the conference to look into the setup of a federation for disability sailing in the ASEAN region.

During the inaugural assembly, the formation of the ASEAN Disability Sailing Federation was sealed. The Federation serves to foster closer working relationships between ASEAN countries so as to achieve professionalism and excellence in disability sailing in the region. An ASEAN Disability Sailing Regatta was also held to foster equitable competition and allow those who did not developed disability sailing in their countries to have a first-hand experience in the sport.

Through valuable indepth experiences gained during the assembly and regatta, we hope that all the delegates will be able to share the joy of disability sailing with their country mates upon their return.

Mr Frankie Thanapal Sinniah, chairperson of Sailability Singapore, was elected as the first President of the ASEAN Disability Sailing Federation during the assembly. The permanent secretariat of the Federation is based in Singapore.