ASEAN Nations Join Hands To Form The ASEAN Disability Sailing Federation
ASEAN Nations Join Hands To Form The ASEAN Disability Sailing Federation
ASEAN nations have come together to form the first-ever regional disability sports body - the ASEAN Disability Sailing Federation (ADSF), marking a major milestone in the development of disability sports in the region.
A total of 20 delegates and disabled sailors from ASEAN congregated in Singapore for the inaugural assembly. The federation seeks to enhance ASEAN solidarity through promoting disability sailing, and fostering closer working relationships and professionalism among its ASEAN members.
The federation’s secretariat will be based in Singapore, a location that provides the ADSF with strategic networking opportunities and connectivity to other Asian nations. The ADSF will also operate in a favourable, pro-sports climate, with the Singapore government committed to developing the sports industry through world-class facilities and training of qualified sports professionals.
“The successful formation of the ASEAN Disability Sailing Federation signifies the progress of the Singapore sports scene, while the federation’s choice of Singapore as its base further bolsters the nation’s credentials as the venue of choice for sports federations,” said Mr Oon Jin Teik, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Sports Council. “Our strategic location as a gateway to ASEAN and the rest of Asia, our leading physical infrastructure and soft skills, as well as Singapore’s reliable and skilled workforce, make us an attractive base for international federations. Moving forward, we hope to see more federations making Singapore the base to grow and develop their sport.”
Says Mr Tan Ju Seng, President of the Singapore Disability Sports Council, “I hope the setting up of this Federation will pave the way for other sports to similarly establish themselves and spread the awareness of disability sports beyond the shores of Singapore.”
The ADSF’s immediate focus is to introduce sailing programmes for the disabled and increase participation in the region. Longer term, the federation will oversee the strategic growth of the sport. This will be done through funding, sanctioning sailing competitions held within ASEAN and encouraging participation from female and young disabled sailors.
As a pioneer of disability sailing in Asia, Singapore is in a good position to offer its technical expertise to help the federation achieve its goals. “As the birthplace of Sailability in ASEAN, Singapore is equipped with the technical know-how to help other countries develop disabled sailing. To date, we have already funded and assisted Malaysia and the Philippines, and are ready to take on a bigger role in developing disabled sports in ASEAN and Asia,” said Mr Frankie Thanapal Sinniah, PBM, newly elected President of ADSF and Chairman of Sailability Singapore.
The establishment of the ADSF builds upon the first International Foundation of Disabled Sailing (IFDS) - Young Enabled Sailor (YES) Asia Sailing Conference that was held in November last year, the first regional conference for disabled sailing to be held in Asia that attracted over 70 delegates from 30 countries. A pro tem committee emerged from the conference to spearhead the creation of ASDF.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Singapore Disability Sports Council
Daphne Lim
Tel: 6342 3503
Email: daphne@sdsc.org.sg
HP: 9873 2472
Singapore Sports Council
Celeste Lim
Tel: 6340 9669
Email: celeste_lim@ssc.gov.sg
HP: 9790 2823
Edelman Singapore
Tan Kok Kuan, Edelman
Tel: 65-6347-2323
Email: kokkuan.tan@edelman.com
HP: 9369 9552
Jocelyn Ng, Edelman
Tel: 65-6347-2319
Email: jocelyn.ng@edelman.com
HP : 9431 6141
About Sailability Singapore
Based in Changi Sailing Club, the Sailability Singapore programme was launched to introduce sailing to the disabled community in Singapore and realize their inclusion in sports and recreation. The programme was made possible by Singapore Disability Sports Council, with the support of Singapore Sports Council, Singapore Sailing Federation, Changi Sailing Club and the sponsorship of a few corporations, namely the Neptune Orient Line Group. It is Sailability Singapore’s vision that one day, more and more people with disabilities can participate in sailing and excel in the sports at various regional and international regattas and championships.
About Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC)
SDSC aims to promote the well being of the disabled through sports. Its objectives include developing the physical and mental attributes, and honing the technical skills of players through participation at an international level; raising public awareness of disability sports; promoting volunteerism in Singapore and building community bonds; and building and enhancing national and international relations and friendships, paving the way for closer regional cooperation and solidarity.
About Singapore Sports Council
The Singapore Sports Council (SSC) is Singapore’s lead agency tasked with developing sports in Singapore. Our vision is to create a Sporting Singapore where Sports is a way of life. SSC aims to develop sports champions and create enjoyable sporting experiences for Singapore through the three strategic thrusts of cultivating a sporting culture, achieving sports excellence and creating a vibrant sports industry. Formed on 1 October 1973, SSC is a statutory board under the umbrella of the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.