Paralympics: Singapore cautiously hopeful for medals

The Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) - which has to date confirmed eight athletes from four sports for the London Paralympics 2012 - is aiming to repeat the good showing seen at the 2008 event in Beijing. "We did well in Beijing and we hope to equal that performance or do even better in London," said SNPC chairman Tan Ju Seng. "However, we recognise that much has changed since Beijing with a growing number of younger and stronger athletes from other countries emerging. "It will be much more challenging this time, but our athletes are ready and will do their best. We have a good mix of 'veterans' and 'debutantes' which I think augurs well for the future of Para sports in Singapore." Singapore, which has been represented at the Paralympics since 1988, produced its best-ever results at the Bejing 2008 Games with one gold and one silver medals in swimming and two bronze medals in equestrian. 2008 golden girl Yip Pin Xiu, who has muscular dystrophy, not only bagged Singapore's first Paralympic gold in the 50m backstroke for S3 class, but also set a world record with a time of 57.92 seconds. This year however, Pin Xiu will not be able to make waves in that event as it's not on the line-up at the Paralympics in London since host countries have the right to decide which events to feature. Still, there's no stopping Pin Xiu from making a splash at the pool, along with Theresa Goh – the two being fielded for swimming. Also on the 2012 team are Jovin Tan and Desiree Lim for sailing; Laurentia Tan, Gemma Rose Foo and Maximillian Tan for equestrian and Nurulasyiqah Taha for Boccia. Mr Tan said he hopes Singaporeans will rally behind the athletes. "They are our fellow Singaporeans. Furthermore, like all athletes, each has a unique story -- a personal story of trial and tribulation," said the SNPC chairman. "Despite severe and sometimes crushing setbacks, each finds the strength daily to soldier on. It is this triumph of the human spirit which we honour and support. Take pride in our athletes. Support and embrace them all. Above all, recognise and honour their contribution to our nation." Commenting on the development of elite sports for disabled athletes in Singapore, Mr Tan said: "We have made good and steady progress over the years but there are bottlenecks. "Funding is the usual bugbear but we will also have to be more effective in our outreach programmes - to attract not just more athletes but also more volunteers especially those with sports training and experience. "I hope to see many more National Sports Associations (NSAs) working with, and partnering us in an integrated and inclusive approach to sports. That would be a very good thing for sports and for our country." Mr Tan added he hopes the future of sports in Singapore could be even more inclusive. "The present bifurcated approach with able-bodied sports going its way and Para sports its own, should give way to a one inclusive and integrated approach, with both sports being administered by one umbrella organisation. "When this happens, everything else will fall in place and the message would be a strong and poignant one - that regardless of our differences, we are all one and that we care and look out for each other." The Paralympics, which parallel the Olympics Games, with events for athletes with disabilities, is held once every four years. The first Paralympic Games was held in Rome in 1960 with about 400 wheelchair athletes from 23 countries invited to compete. Today, the Paralympics includes six major classifications of athletes: Those with visual impairments, physical disabilities, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries and amputee athletes as well as those with physical disabilities such as muscular dystrophy. The Games will be held from August 29 to September 9, in London.