How a Singapore dragon boat team helps its disabled paddlers to ‘not feel judged or different’

MOVING DISABILITY SPORTS FORWARD

Having an adaptive category in a prestigious dragon boat event like the Regatta Waterfest gives people with disabilities access to the right resources and a level playing field, said Ms Kelly Fan, executive director of the Singapore Disability Sports Council. 

“Inclusive sports focus on creating platforms where persons with and without disabilities can play together.

“The primary goal is to foster firsthand understanding and appreciation of the challenges that individuals with disabilities overcome to participate in sports, while also providing opportunities for meaningful social interaction,” she added.

Singapore is set to launch an Enabling Sports Fund next year, which aims to “encourage impactful community-initiated disability sports initiatives.” 

The government will match dollar for dollar donations made to this fund, which hopes to raise at least S$10 million (US$7.4 million) by 2030. 

It’s part of Singapore’s Enabling Masterplan 2030, a national roadmap for people with disabilities to live and participate more actively in the community. 

Progress has been made but more needs to be done to continue promoting inclusivity, said Ms Fan, pointing to costs and accessibility as remaining barriers.

“It is not just about ramps or lifts within a venue,” she said.

“It extends to the awareness that sport opportunities exist for persons with disabilities; the affordability of sport involvement on top of enhanced costs of living of a (person with disability); the proximity and accessibility of an accessible venue; and the readiness of a venue to cater to disability sports.”