INFORMATION HANDBOOK
Our Company Profile The Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) is the national sports body for the disabled in Singapore. It is a voluntary organisation registered with the Commissioner of Charities. Sports for the disabled formed the very cornerstone of SDSC’s existence. SDSC’s goal is to promote, through sports, the well-being of the disabled in Singapore, helping them to live full and independent lives. SDSC depends on the kind and generous contributions of corporate sponsors and members of the public to advance its cause.
Objectives SDSC firmly believes in the rehabilitative and therapeutic value of sports. Its programmes and activities underscore its guiding principle that “Disability Must Never Disqualify”. Thus, SDSC aspires: • To provide the disabled with opportunities to train, participate and excel in sports for local, regional and international competitions; • To enhance the lifestyles of the disabled and integrate them into the community through recreational sports and activities; and • To increase public awareness of and promote widespread support for the sporting and recreational needs of the disabled community in Singapore.
Mission & Vision Our Mission “Founded on the belief in the dignity, capability and value of persons with disabilities, our mission is to enable our sportspersons with disabilities to realise their individual potential by providing them with the opportunity to participate and excel in sports both recreationally and competitively.” Our Vision “To maximise our members’ potential through sports”
archery A test of accuracy, strength and concentration, archers shoot at a target marked with ten scoring zones, from a set distance. Singles, doubles and team events are held in the Paralympics. Archery is open to all persons with a physical disability (including spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, amputee and les autres).Special guidance is available for the visually-impaired as well.
basketball Similar to that of the able-bodied basketball game, this group uses the same court and equipment. The disabled athletes may sometimes have full body function, such as athletes with hearing impairment.
athletics
badminton
Being disabled does not mean one will never feel speed, strength, power and endurance again. There are many athletic activities which can bring a disabled person a rush of adrenaline, such as javelin, discus, shot-put, marathons and wheelchair racing. This is also the sport which draws the largest number of participants and spectators at the Paralympics. Athletics is open to all disability groups.
Parabadminton has been around for many years and comes in a variety of forms or categories. From wheelchair, learning disabilities, intellectual disability, physical (upper and lower), dwarf and even hearing impaired disabilities. Parabadminton has provided players of different disabilities and backgrounds an opportunity to interact under a common purpose. It is a growing sport with more and more participants taking up the game either socially or competitively or both.
boccia A sport which dates back to ancient times, boccia is one of the fastest growing Paralympic sports. It tests muscle control, accuracy and concentration levels, as one tries to throw or bowl game balls to land as close as possible to a small white target ball called ‘Jack’. Boccia is open to persons, with cerebral palsy or related neurological conditions, using wheelchairs.
equestrian Equestrian athletes display their horsemanship skills as they command their horses to walk, trot or canter. They compete in Championship Tests of set movements, Freestyle Tests to music or Team Tests. Horse riding is open to persons with a physical disability or a visual impairment. Compensating aids such as whips, rein bars, rubber bands are permitted.
chess
handcycling
Chess is a sport that is played on equal terms irrespective of whether the players are able bodied or not. Age is not a barrier to playing chess, neither is gender nor disability.
A handcycle is a type of human powered land vehicle powered by the arms rather than the legs, as on a bicycle. Most handcycles are tricycle in form, with two coasting rear wheels and one steerable powered front wheel. Despite usually having three wheels, they are also known as handbikes.
shooting
futsal Soccer, one of the world’s most watched sports, demands speed, agility and impressive ball handling skills. The sport has been part of the Paralympics since 1984. For the disabled, there are seven players to a team rather than the usual 11. The field is also smaller. There is no offside rule and throw-ins may only be made with one hand. Soccer is intended for persons with cerebral palsy.
lawn bowls Lawn bowls is no longer included in the Paralympics, but there are regular world championships conducted. The game is played on a level, grassed or synthetic surface called a green. Two competitors or teams consisting of two, three or four players compete to throw their balls as close as possible to a white ball called ‘Jack’. Lawn bowls is open to persons with all types of physical or visual disability, of all ages.
Shooting is a test of accuracy and control where athletes use pistols or rifles to fire a series of shot at a stationary target. This sport has been part of the Paralympic games in 1976 and is currently practiced in around 60 countries.
powerchair football Powerchair football is an indoor team sport played in a motorized wheelchair. It was created for young people with severe disabilities in France, named “Football in electric wheelchair” back in 1978. There are two teams of four players each, compromising of three field players and one goal keeper.
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swimming Swimming was first used in rehabilitative and physiotherapy programmes for disabled persons. Over the years, it has grown into one of the largest and most popular sports in the Paralympics. Competitors pit their skills in Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly, Breaststroke and Medley events. Swimming is open to all disability groups.
sailing For people who love the freedom of the sea and sound of the waves, sailing is an optimal choice. Sailing became a full medal Paralympic sport in 2000. Keelboats are handled by one, two or three persons. Sailing is open to all disability groups.
Today, bowling is one of the most popular indoor sports for the handicapped. This is especially true because the game can be played with some degree of success by almost everyone, regardless of the extent of physical disability.
wheelchair basketball This is one high profile sport at the Paralympics. Court size, ball size and basket rings are the same as basketball for the able-bodied. However, to maintain possession, a player with the ball cannot push on the wheels of the wheelchair more than twice before dribbling. Wheelchair basketball is designed for persons with disabilities that prevent running, jumping and pivoting.