Paralympic Achievements

1.31 pm

The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien): Mdm Speaker, I beg to move, "That this House congratulates the Team Singapore Paralympians on their achievements at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games."

I would like to acknowledge the presence of our Team Singapore Paralympians, as well as former Chairman of the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, who are here with us in the Chamber today. The House is gathered here to acknowledge the achievements of Team Singapore at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Our Paralympians, with their incredible feats in Rio, have uplifted the nation. Adding to an already impressive haul of one Gold, two Silvers and three Bronzes from past Games, our Paralympians brought home another two Gold and one Bronze medals. This year, we had 13 athletes qualifying and representing Singapore across six sports and 21 events, almost double the contingent of eight athletes at the 2012 Paralympic Games. My heartiest congratulations to all of you. [Applause.]

Beyond medals, each Paralympian has shown us what it means to be a champion – to be counted among the world's best and fly our flag high at the world's biggest stage for para sports.

These 13 extraordinary athletes have shown us that with hard work and sacrifice, we can realise our dreams. Their achievements also exemplify how a nation as small as ours can punch above its weight.

I am honoured to have witnessed some of their amazing and inspiring performances in Rio. Mdm Speaker, allow me to speak about our talented Paralympians.

Let me start with our Boccia athletes, Nurulasyiqah Taha and Toh Sze Ning, who put in a formidable performance and finished fourth in the BC3 Mixed Pairs event. They were in impressive form at the Games and beat the teams from Greece and Portugal, the gold and silver medallists respectively, from the 2012 Paralympic Games. While Nurul and Sze Ning were disappointed they could not bring back a Paralympic medal this time, I believe that they will grow stronger from this experience and do better in future.

Nur Syahidah Alim was a double gold medallist at the ASEAN Para Games and became our first archer ever to compete at the Paralympics. In the lead-up to the Paralympics, Syahidah trained six hours per day, six times a week. Her result in the Women's Individual Compound event was testament to her hard work and determination. Her round of 16 match pitted her against an athlete ranked fourth in the Ranking Round. Despite some problems with her stool which affected her stability, she held her nerves and went on to beat her opponent. She also put up a tremendous fight in the quarter-final match. Facing the eventual bronze medallist in unpredictable wind conditions, she lost the match by just two points, that is, 135 versus 137. She displayed great sportsmanship, always having a smile on her face and was a crowd favourite.

The Equestrian team of Laurentia Tan, Maximillian Tan and Gemma Rose Foo had to contend with serious injury setbacks in the months leading up to the Paralympics. Laurentia injured her spine, Maximillian hurt his hip joint, while Gemma ruptured a spleen. But that did not deter our riders, who continued to train hard, sometimes in pain, to represent Singapore in Rio. Their courage, determination and fighting spirit certainly filled us all with pride. They showed us the importance of perseverance in the things we are passionate about, and that a positive attitude is often the best medicine for unexpected setbacks.

At 39 years young and a Paralympic Games debutant, Norsilawati Sa'at is an inspiration to us all. She has shown us that age is certainly not a barrier to sports and excellence. Despite taking a break from wheelchair racing in 2011 and returning only last year, Sila made tremendous progress to qualify for the Paralympics. Besides her pet event, the 100-metre T52, she was also extended an invitation to participate in the Women's 400-metre T52 Finals so that the race could proceed with the minimum of five competitors. She graciously accepted the invitation, gave it her all, and finished with a personal best time.

Our long-jumper, Suhairi Suhani, is the baby of the team at just 19 years old. Known by those around him to be a model athlete, Suhairi never complained and only wanted to learn and keep improving. With his discipline and positive attitude, he achieved a personal best in the Men's Long Jump T20 Final in his Paralympics debut.

After winning a gold medal at the China Open Athletics Championships earlier this year, Diroy Noordin made his Paralympics debut in the Men's Javelin and Shot Put events. I am certain that Diroy will continue to inspire other persons with disabilities to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams. We look forward to stronger performances from Suhairi and Diroy at future events.

Our Sailors, Jovin Tan and Yap Qian Yin, had to contend with not just the world-class competitors, but harsh weather and rough seas. After a commendable showing in the earlier races, our sailors, unfortunately, had to be withdrawn for safety reasons towards the end of the competition although they steadfastly wanted to soldier on. I would like to commend them for their determination and fighting spirit, for trying as hard as they did and not giving up.

Last, but not least, we have our Swimmers. Theresa Goh is one of our most experienced Paralympians. This is her fourth Paralympics. After more than a decade of sweat and tears, months spent training and competing overseas, and hour after hour spent in the pool, she finally won her first Paralympic medal. It was a long and hard journey, but I think she would agree that it was all worth it. To us all, Theresa is a symbol of commitment, resolve and dedication.

Her good friend and team-mate, Yip Pin Xiu, achieved the extraordinary feat of clinching two Gold medals. She even broke the world record in the Women's 100-metre S2 Final. These were unforgettable moments as the Singapore flag was hoisted and Majulah Singapura was played in the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio. Pin Xiu now has three Paralympic Golds, making her the most decorated Team Singapore athlete at the Olympics and Paralympics. Despite her achievements, she is always humble, grounded and appreciative of the support from her friends and family. To all our aspiring athletes, Theresa and Pin Xiu are perfect role models. To Singaporeans, they represent the sporting heroes that we all look up to.

My warmest congratulations to all the athletes again! [Applause.]

Our Paralympians' achievements would not be possible without the "Team behind the Team". I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to the caregivers, coaches, family and friends of our Paralympians, as well as officials from the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) and SNPC. I would like to commend Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, former President of SDSC and former Chairman of SNPC, for her tireless contribution over the years in developing disability sports in Singapore and for nurturing a strong contingent of para-athletes who have done us proud at several major Games leading up to the Rio Paralympics.

I would also like to acknowledge Mr Ho Cheng Kwee, Chef-de-Mission of our Paralympic contingent, for his leadership and commitment in ensuring the athletes' well-being at the Games.

Special recognition and thanks must also go to the team at the Singapore Sports Institute, who work tirelessly to provide our athletes with the best system of support. This includes access to sports medicine, sports science and physiotherapy services, so that our Paralympians can train and compete with peace of mind and in the best possible conditions.

It was heartening to also see the outpouring of pride and appreciation from Singaporeans from all walks of life. We saw a large crowd at Changi Airport cheering and welcoming our Paralympians as they touched down from Rio. We saw even more lining the streets during the celebratory parade. Among them was nine-year-old Teo Choon Khang, who has been taking swimming lessons since he was three, even though he has cerebral palsy. After watching his idol Theresa Goh clinch the bronze medal, he is now filled with hope that, one day, he, too, can swim in the Paralympics. Mdm Lim Sook Wei, her husband and her 10-year-old son Hugh Lee, who has autism, travelled all the way from Jurong to Sengkang to meet Pin Xiu. Mdm Lim said, "We are so glad to meet her, and my heart is still pumping. We hope that our son is inspired [by Pin Xiu's achievements] and learns that nothing is impossible." Our Paralympians have certainly become our nation's sporting heroes, and I believe they will continue to inspire many more Singaporeans in time to come.

Pin Xiu said after her win that, "Nothing is impossible as long as you set your mind to it. It might not be the goal that you will eventually hope to get but, along the way, through the process, you will learn many things about yourself [and about] other things that will [help you]. It's better than not having tried at all."

Indeed, we are proud of our Paralympians' achievements, but we are even prouder of the fact that they have taken the plunge, sacrificed so much, and done so with such courage and tenacity. They are not constrained by their limitations but are instead driven towards what is possible. Thank you for your excellent performance. Thank you for your inspiration. Thank you all to our Team Singapore athletes. Congratulations once more. [Applause.] Mdm Speaker, I beg to move.

Question proposed.

Mdm Speaker: Minister Tan Chuan-Jin.

1.43 pm

The Minister for Social and Family Development (Mr Tan Chuan-Jin): Mdm Speaker, we are all just simply elated to be here today to congratulate all of you, our Team Singapore athletes, on your achievements. In my many years watching and supporting sports, I have never seen such levels of interest and support for our para-athletes. It is amazing. Not only will this be the new norm, I believe that the support will grow from strength to strength. Last year's ASEAN Para Games was instrumental. Not only did you compete and flew our flag with pride, you opened our eyes to show us what a "never-say-die" attitude is all about, both in the arena and outside of it. This year, 13 of you represented us at the recent Rio Paralympic Games. This is our largest contingent ever.

What more can I say about Pin Xiu, Theresa, Syahidah, Norsilawati, Suhairi, Diroy, Nurul, Sze Ning, Laurentia, Max, Gemma, Jovin and Qian Yin that has not been said. You have been outstanding ambassadors for Singapore. Many of us were not able to be there in Rio to support you, but I hope you heard us cheering you on thousands of miles away, where many of us watched you intently on the screens and followed your exploits via social media. You united us as one people regardless of where we were in the world.

I remember each one of your beaming faces as you arrived back home in Singapore at Changi Airport, starting with Suhairi who surely has the most infectious smile ever. Your Rio journey was clearly uplifting but, perhaps even more significantly, you created something special for all of us.

How many of us have the privilege and honour to wear our national colours and to fly our flag at competitions? How many of us can display the sheer grit and determination that can inspire so many? How many of us can galvanise a community and pull people together?

You are, first and foremost, our Team Singapore athletes. You enabled us to see the true you – the person behind the physical being. You have been our role models, demonstrating resilience and an indomitable spirit, showing us what is possible through dedication and hard work.

For many of you, it is not just about your quest for personal achievement. It goes beyond medals. It is about our community of persons with disabilities. Pin Xiu shared that she would not have continued this journey if she was doing it for herself. What made her persevere is the desire to inspire other Singaporeans facing similar challenges through her actions and achievements. She has grown from a child who did not know much about para-sports to eventually becoming a world record holder with three gold medals to her name.

She wants to share this message with all Singaporeans: that you can get there if you want it bad enough. The same goes for all our para-athletes who want to show that anything is possible if you try and work towards it and, most importantly, to believe in yourself.

There is another group of champions whom I want to recognise – the family and friends of our Paralympians. You have shown great support and are clearly the number one fans of our para-athletes. Your love and sacrifice have enabled them to realise their dreams. You are always there to cheer them on and are their pillars of support through ups and downs.

Theresa's parents, Mr Bernard Goh and Mdm Rose Mok, firmly believe in the value of sports, and that every child, able-bodied or disabled, has his or her unique strengths. They believe that sports brought more opportunities for their children to make friends and to form a support group which helped them develop and become stronger socially, emotionally and mentally.

Sze Ning's mother, Mdm Tan Ngoek Moi, shared in two interviews – I gathered her various comments and put them together. And she shared this about Sze Ning when she was young: "Everyone said to me, ‘Why don't you just abandon her? Don't be so hard on yourself." But she said later, "I'm happy and proud to see her all grown up. She already did her best and came in fourth overall. We have to use our sincerity to motivate them because they are our children and we understand them. And we, as parents, we have to help them. If we don't, no one else will."

For our para-athletes and their families, it is not just in the competitions that they have to strive hard. It is also in the race of life that they cross seemingly insurmountable hurdles, dealing with the simplest of tasks that so many of us just take for granted.

Thank you for showing us how deep and wide our love for our family can and should be. Thank you for reminding us that family matters.

All of you, not just our athletes, but all our Singaporeans with disabilities and special needs, you have changed us. While we have made some progress towards a more inclusive society, we are definitely not there yet. We want to be a people who see the person first before the disability. We want to be able to care, to be compassionate and to love. You have all certainly played an instrumental part in our journey to become a better people and a better society.

I call on all Singaporeans to play an active role in this inclusive journey. In big and small ways, never under-estimate the difference that we can make, whether as family members, classmates, employers, neighbours or simply as members of the public. All it takes is consideration in the buildings that we build, in the workplaces that we establish, in the community that we live in and in our everyday lives. Just simple actions, like giving way while on the MRT, providing assistance to board the bus, not parking in accessible lots meant for persons with disabilities. And most importantly, it is in our hearts and minds that we need to just embrace our fellow Singaporeans of any ability for who they are. It can be done. It just starts with you and me.

Let me end by congratulating once again all our Paralympians and to thank you. Because by being who you are and championing the way forward, you help us all become better selves and perhaps, in turn, to begin to build a better Singapore. [Applause.]

Mdm Speaker: Mr Christopher de Souza.

1.50 pm

Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah): Madam, just to get to the start line at Rio 2016, our Paralympians overcame immense demands of physical training – weights in the gym, cardiovascular priming on the track or in the pool, honing skills drill after drill, set-piece after set-piece. They must have also persevered through muscle fatigue, injuries as they built up physical and mental stamina among the team. All these in preparation for the ultimate sporting experience that the Paralympic Games gives.

It was already a victory that our Paralympians got to their start lines. Why? Because each Paralympian converted adversity into a will to excel and, in so doing, made Singaporeans very proud. Your sturdy will in Archery, Athletics, Boccia, Equestrian, Sailing, Swimming is what we are celebrating today. What you did out there at the Paralympic Games also spoke of the value of participation and training hard to better one's own personal best. Yes, you had excelled to get to the start line. Yes, you were already joyful in achieving that. Yet, not quite satisfied, you pushed yourself further and further to improve. That extra push was, in and of itself, remarkable, perhaps arising from a divine discontent. Yet, you the Paralympians displayed the personal integrity imbedded in the very meaning of sportsmanship: to strive to outdo one's own limits for a cause greater than oneself.

I learnt that meaning of sportsmanship from Chaoyang School students about 20 years ago. The school, which provides education for children with special needs, required assistance with its sports programmes. I was playing Hockey at the time and the school asked if I could help coach its Hockey team made up of young students between eight and 12 years old. That team was preparing for its own tournament amongst special needs students. Some of the children found it difficult to run. For some, it was not easy to hold a stick, yet they played their hearts out, learnt from one another, improved their skills and celebrated whenever a teammate scored because it meant Chaoyang School was doing well.

That group of young Singaporean students reflected the very spirit our Paralympians displayed on the world stage at Rio 2016: the value of participation, the value of outdoing one's own limits and the value of doing so for a cause greater than oneself. There is much we can learn from that, especially in education, especially in our schools where achievements should be celebrated when the child has done that child's best.

In fact, double-gold medallist Yip Pin Xiu shared how doing one's best and pushing beyond their limits is key and should be celebrated. Before Rio 2016, Pin Xiu shared, "I decided that I should really excel as much as possible when my body still allows me, by pushing myself to the limits for Singapore". How inspirational. You were already victorious at your start line.

After Rio 2016, you shared your reflections with Singaporeans, "We athletes have doubts sometimes. We don't know if today is a good day for our bodies. It was really just a lot of mental strength to go at my fastest ever, and to compete against myself and my previous times". Rejoicing in accomplishments already achieved, yet not quite satisfied, and so, wanting to push for a cause beyond oneself. Thank you, Pin Xiu, for showing us that iron-willed determination.

Theresa Goh, bronze medallist, also from the pool, described how she felt in Rio. She said, "I had a lot of moments where I thought of giving up. But it took a lot of mental skills and encouragement from people telling me that I could do it and to be positive. I had to convince myself, talk to myself and remind myself that I had done a lot of hard work. It is not just my work, I have a big team behind me and if I had a list of people to thank, I would not be able to finish it. It is truly amazing".

I conclude, Madam, with firm support for the Motion standing in the name of Minister Grace Fu.

From the Rio 2016 Paralympics Team, we have not one but two medallists, not two but three medals, an Olympic record and two World records. But we are not only celebrating those achievements. What we are also celebrating are the sporting values of participation; perseverance through adversity; and the personal integrity to better one self for a greater cause.

To all the Paralympians, you and the sturdy will you possess are miracles personified. Thank you for showing Singaporeans what is possible. We are very proud of you. [Applause.]

Mdm Speaker: Mr Seah Kian Peng.

1.56 pm

Mr Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade): Mdm Speaker, I join our Government and Members of this House in congratulating our Singapore Paralympics Team for their outstanding results at this year's Paralympic Games in Brazil.

We sent our largest ever contingent to the Paralympic Games with 13 athletes taking part in a record number of six sports, and our athletes were brilliant out there. Our Paralympians gave us so many memories – from swimmers Theresa Goh winning the bronze medal to Yip Pin Xiu clinching two gold medals and smashing a world record in the process.

Thank you to every athlete for bringing the rest of Singapore to a euphoric high with your energy, faithful and dedicated practices and final amazing performances! All of us who have watched or read about you in action, are moved and inspired by your never-say-die attitude to overcoming difficulties in life to follow your dreams through sheer grit and perseverance. For Theresa Goh, this has been a 17-year journey and continuing.

The Paralympian effort is single-minded in a way that few of us will ever understand – the sacrifices and struggles, the zero-compromise commitment you all have put in to prepare for the Games. These are lessons for us all – that we should not give up on our goals come what may, and that hard work and resilience pay.

I would like to commend the Singapore National Paralympics and the SDSC for supporting our athletes at the Games, as well as to record our thanks and recognition of the efforts of the coaches, behind-the-scenes support staff and, especially the incredible families, whose love and support played such a huge role in our athletes' achievements.

Pin Xiu is a resident of mine and I have known her and her parents for a number of years. Her parents are active participants in one of my community groups. As we have seen in the case of Joseph Schooling and many other sportsmen and sportswomen, parents and family are the key to motivating our athletes, and we should do what we can to also acknowledge, recognise and support these parents.

Last year, NTUC FairPrice launched a campaign featuring four local personalities to reveal their unsung heroes who have contributed to their personal development. Pin Xiu was among those featured. She shared the story of her mother in a video, and she said this of her mother:

"You have given me the strength to be who I am. You have taught me what it's like to love a family. You've shown me that all this hard work you've done is not only for yourself but for everyone around you. And I want to do the same."

And with this, my heartiest congratulations again to all our Paralympians, our ambassadors on the world stage and all the families and support staff behind the scenes. You have brought joy and pride to all Singaporeans and also taught us many important lessons. Thank you, Team Singapore Paralympians.

Mdm Speaker: Ms Denise Phua

2.00 pm

Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng (Jalan Besar): Madam, we are here to celebrate the abilities of some of the most special athletes from our land. Thank you for the privilege of honouring the stellar achievements of all 13 Paralympians who represented Singapore in the 2016 Rio Games. The Paralympic Games is the highest-level global competition for our athletes. I also wish to honour other athletes who trained hard but, for some reason, did not make it to Rio.

When Theresa Goh won her bronze in Rio, her good friend and fellow medallist, Yip Pin Xiu, embraced and told her that nobody will know what they have gone through these 17 years. Indeed, many of us can only read about it but never really know the terrain of the arduous road to Rio – the gruelling trainings and the sacrifices behind a sporting career on the world stage. Take the feat of Norsilawati who trained six times a week while working as a freelance web designer; who entered the Rio games at the age of 39, undaunted. Or archery athlete Nur Syahidah, born with cerebral palsy, who similarly trained six days a week and spent most of her non-working days on practice. These stories are not uncommon amongst the rest of the athletes: Nurul, Sze Ning, Suhairi, Muhammad Diroy, Maximillian, Laurentia, Gemma, Jovin, Qian Yin, Pin Xiu and Theresa.

Hence, to the Paralympians, thank you for showing us the power of the human spirit. Like the proverbial bumblebee which aerodynamically is not supposed to be able to fly, but it flies anyway. You are not disabled athletes. You are our very own Singaporean athletes with disabilities – disabilities which, instead of tripping you, have helped the rest of Singapore, open their eyes and see your true and powerful abilities. You face greater challenges than typical athletes and deserve recognition similar to or even beyond them. We salute all of you. From you, we learnt the lessons of mental toughness, true grit, optimism and self-control.

I pray that you will guard sacredly this privileged leadership position or space that you occupy. I know that many of you do not want to be defined by your disability and want to be seen, first, as athletes. But it is the unique identity, the package that you come in, abilities and disabilities combined, that enrich, humble and inspire the rest of us Singaporeans. If you can do it, then perhaps the rest of us can rise above our daily ailments, grievances and complaints and take on life the way you do, against the odds; making lemonades of the lemons we are handed in life.

So, Paralympians, I urge you to be the evangelists for a better world – encourage others to do sports on a daily level; tell them how not to let what you cannot do prevent you from what you can; and how not to let failures deter you for longer than they should.

Next, to the usually unsung heroes behind our athletes. I believe in the life-view that, in life, that everything we achieve in life, somebody helped us. It is thus also my privilege to congratulate and thank the people who have been supporting the Paralympians.

First, the family members who had raised these young people and cheered them on in life, medals or not. I believe that no child with special needs, comes to a family by accident – no child anyway. It takes a special kind of human spirit to embrace a child with special needs in the family, give him space to pursue his passion whilst worrying about his future. Families of our special athletes, too, deserve a medal, in my book.

Next, lest we forget, the supporting teams from the SNPC – the then Chairman Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang; Mr Ho Cheng Kwee, who is not able to come today, Chef-de-Mission of the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, the SDSC, the Singapore National Olympic Council, Sports Singapore and the Singapore Sports Institute. Many are the unsung heroes who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the road to Rio possible. Thank you all.

To the rest of Singapore, I ask you to continue to look beyond the disabilities and celebrate the abilities of our Paralympians and other athletes and the rest of the special needs community. Last weekend, despite the rain, we had about 10,000 Singaporean residents from all abilities, all walks of life, join us in the city district to support inclusion and celebrate abilities in a movement known as The Purple Parade – a ground-up movement that gained the support of many, including our country's top leaders.

But beyond the carnival and celebrations, what the organisers deeply yearn for is a transformed society that truly embraces persons with special needs in every aspect of Singapore life. Is there enough support, beyond awareness, to cause a change in our behaviours towards those who are different? Do we know persons with special needs only when they become celebrated Paralympians? Do we, in our social network, have any true friends with special needs? Do we, at our workplace, treat those with special needs with dignity and not pity?

In many ways, people with special needs are like you and I, with similar needs and aspirations. Theresa told me she is a Spice Girls' Club fan. She and Pin Xiu just travelled to Europe, London, Burmingham, on their own, public transport, without any special help from the state. Many of them simply want to have access to opportunities in life, like the rest of us. So, let us go beyond compassion and adjust our lenses and behaviours to create schools, workplaces, public places of interest where persons with special needs are not just talked about, but seen, heard and their presence felt daily.

On that note, I want to salute again the Paralympians and all those who stood and are still standing behind you. You are some of our most important torchbearers for a better world. Congratulations!

Mdm Speaker: Ms Chia Yong Yong.

2.07 pm

Ms Chia Yong Yong (Nominated Member): Mdm Speaker, I am honoured to have this opportunity to congratulate Team Singapore Paralympians. Much earlier, after Pin Xiu won the 2008 Paralympic Gold medal, you moved us when you said, "This is my favourite medal, because it is Singapore's first Paralympic gold medal and, with it, I did Singapore proud". You did Singapore proud, all of you did and we are all very, very proud of you.

I also thank and congratulate the greater Team Singapore of caregivers, loved ones, officials, trainers, coaches, friends, teammates, sponsors and supporters. Thank you for believing in the Paralympians. Thank you for sharing your love, resources, expertise, to make our Paralympians who they are. Thank you for your sacrifices.

We have come far since we first participated in the 1988 Summer Paralympics. We did not win medals then. But we continued to send our athletes to the Summer Paralympics. Twenty years later, at the 2008 Summer Paralympics, we sent six athletes and they brought home four medals. Twenty-eight years on, from our first participation, we now have nine Paralympic medals.

But it has been a long road. Over the years, we have come to recognise the value of sports in achieving our national priorities in developing healthy and resilient people, forging strong united communities, retaining core values, sharing memories, strengthening friendships and building a dynamic society and a dynamic economy.

We did not do enough for our athletes and para-athletes in our earlier years. It is my hope that with Vision 2030, with the Disability Sports Master Plan and the new National Outdoor Adventure Education Masterplan, sports will become more inclusive.

And as we continue to conceptualise and implement, it must always be a work in progress. We should be open to learn from other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Canada, known to provide good support for their athletes with disabilities.

It has taken us a long time to associate sports and disability, or should I say, sports and medical conditions.

The SDSC was set up in 1973 by the then Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and eight organisations for persons with disabilities. In 1974, due to a shortage of funds, it selected only two para-athletes, Messrs Robert Tan and Frankie Thanapal, to represent Singapore at the Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in Dunedin, New Zealand. Frankie returned with a bronze medal and Robert did us proud in his placings. In 1975, the duo represented Singapore again and, this time, they won gold and bronze medals.

Why am I sharing this? We did not just start winning sports medals on the international scene. Through the years, our para-athletes have been doing us proud. It is just that we did not know that much about them. And we are, slowly, gaining national consciousness on this issue, thanks to everyone who persevered – all of our para-athletes and their loved ones, and their officials. And to the younger ones in this Chamber today, our Paralympians – as you enjoy the recognition and the challenges that are ahead of you, remember all those who went before you, who gave of their best despite having a lot less. Remember that they paved the way for you as well.

And as you remember those who went before you, we will also remember the lessons that we have learnt from you. You have brought us glory. You put us in the international limelight in the world of Paralympics – tiny Singapore.

Your achievements made us sit up and realise that persons with disabilities, even from tiny Singapore, can make their mark in the sports world. By your medal wins, you gave Singaporeans a chance to be inspired; inspired by your grit to endure physical pain, by your intelligence, your determination to push the limits, to succeed. But even then, for all the interviews that you gave, for all the inspirational talks that you gave, we can never imagine all the pain, tears, frustrations and sacrifices that you had to make. We can never imagine the pain of the injuries, what sacrifices you made in your education, your career, your social activities, what sacrifices your parents made for you, what financial burdens you had to bear and what opportunities you lost.

You have inspired us and you have made me very, very proud of you, not just because you won medals, but because all of you trained and sacrificed, and even if you never got to the Games, even if competed but you did not win, you never give up.

I am proud of you because you are not afraid of your weak bodies. I am inspired by you because you have strong minds and stout hearts. And I am humbled by the lessons that I learn from you.

Theresa says of her disabilities, "I'm fine with it. I wouldn't be swimming or where I am today if I weren't disabled." I believe you spoke not just for yourself, but for all your colleagues. Paralympians, you turned your disability into opportunity, and made your disability your success. I believe that as we salute you for your medals, many more would, like us, salute you for rising above all your failures.

Muhammad Diroy – he also happens to be SPD's Youth Aspiration Award 2015 winner. He was initially not selected to represent Singapore at the Paralympics. But he did not despair. He continued and he stuck to his regime of training three times a week to keep improving, to do his best for other upcoming competitions. And then he landed a surprise. He became a last-minute addition to the Singapore contingent.

Jovin Tan, our para-sailor, said this, "Life is always about trying and not giving up. Even if you are the last boat, you should try to think of possible ways to climb one or two more positions up". Even if you are the last boat.

Laurentia says, "Our glorious moments are not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall".

Ultimately, it is not about giving up. It is about not giving up. It is about not allowing setbacks to set us back. And it is about doing our best no matter what. Unfortunately, that is not glamorous but that will outlast the shine on your medals.

So, let Singapore be there for you.

When Paralympians won medals, the public debated greater rewards for medallists, greater support for para-athletes. You rose above monetary rewards and you said you did not do it for the money. Indeed, I firmly believe that our athletes did not do it for the money. You did not train and compete for that. But the prize money is important: whether we like it or not, it is a reflection of how society values the contributions that you have made and the lessons that you are sharing with us. Aside from the reward, on a very practical basis, the prize money will help a para-athlete pay for transport, living expenses, the higher medical expenses, higher therapy fees, higher coaching fees, pay for your studies, pay for your other needs.

More than cash payment, it is also about inclusion. In my letter to The Straits Times on 17 September 2008, I argued, and I reiterate now, that if we persist in having two different standards of treatment between athletes and para-athletes, we reinforce the erroneous perception that people with disabilities are not able and strengthen the barriers against building an inclusive society. We cannot build a gracious inclusive society if we continue to deny the achievements of those perceived to be different and less able than we.

I am happy for the Motion that has been placed before the House today, but there is more to be done than just congratulating our Paralympians.

So, what is my role? Fellow Singaporeans, what is our role? The best of Government schemes will not be good enough if we do not play our part to support our para-athletes. Yes, a great part of that has got to do with funds, more sponsorship, but how do we get sponsors if there are no spectators? Spectators draw advertisers, advertisers draw sponsors. Here is one opportunity for us to just be a spectator. By that, we cheer our athletes. We give them hope, we let them know that there are people behind them when times are tough. By that, we also tell the corporate entities that there is value in sponsoring our athletes.

Get out of the living room. Get to the stadium, the swimming pools, wherever the events are held. Can we be, if nothing else, a spectator?

It has been a long journey and it will continue to be. As Pin Xiu said to Theresa when the latter won her bronze medal at the Paralympics, "Nobody knows our journey like us, and I am so incredibly proud of you."

And now, I say this, and I am sure my colleagues here in this House will join me in saying this: indeed, nobody knows your journey like you, but you know what? We are so incredibly proud of you.

And with that, Madam, I support the Motion. [Applause.]

Mdm Speaker: Ms Sylvia Lim.

2.19 pm

Ms Sylvia Lim (Aljunied): Mdm Speaker, the Workers' Party joins the Minister and all Members in congratulating our Paralympians on their inspiring achievements at Rio. Indeed, there is much for Singaporeans to celebrate this year in international sporting competitions, with Team Singapore's successes at the most prestigious international competitions – the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Truth be told, most of us do not know much about the Paralympic Games. We muddle over how para-athletes are classified by disability and find it puzzling that there are so many similar events. Indeed, it is impossible for able-bodied persons to get into the mind of a disabled person, let alone one who dares to put himself or herself out there in the arena in front of the whole world.

From the para-athletes' perspective, Ms Yip Pin Xiu was most generous when she said, "We put in the same amount of effort to get to where we are and it is not easier being in Para-sports." Despite what life has dealt them, para-athletes are experts at turning adversity into strength. As Ms Theresa Goh once said, "I wouldn't be swimming or where I am today if I weren't disabled."

Madam, there are many inspiring stories all over the world about how individuals overcame disability through sports. A few days ago, I heard over the radio about a Canadian teenager named Trent Seymour, a very promising softball pitcher and catcher, who was paralysed in a hunting accident two years ago at age 16. After weeks in the intensive care unit and months of rehabilitation, he decided that he wanted to return to the game he loved, even though he was now a paraplegic. He signed up for umpire training and passed the required tests and soon, he was the first ever Umpire on Wheels. The sight of him on softball pitches surprised and inspired many fans worldwide.

Madam, during the recent Paralympic Games, friends of mine who had children with disabilities were abuzz. Their children were glued to their television sets every day and night, rooting for our Paralympic athletes. Some of these parents had introduced sports to their children as therapy. Now, their children were seeing before their very own eyes that, through sporting competition, they, too, could, one day, don the national colours and bring glory to Singapore.

It goes without saying that cultivating our para-athletes to sporting excellence takes a whole village and the Government as well. As a country with one of the highest in terms of gross domestic product per capita in the world, we would be poor if our citizens with disabilities were not able to have big dreams or realise their full potential.

Madam, our para-athletes have taken Singapore a giant leap forward in our journey towards a truly inclusive society. We thank those who have loved and supported them through their unique journeys. We must continue to press on to make Singapore a home where no one is left behind. [Applause.]

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Madam, I think the speakers before us have made a unanimous message of congratulating the achievements of our Team Singapore Paralympians. So, I would like to move the Motion.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved, "That this House congratulates the Team Singapore Paralympians on their achievements at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games."

Thereupon, hon Members stood to their feet and applauded.

Mdm Speaker: Leader.

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Mdm Speaker, if we can just give the athletes a few minutes to move out of the Chamber.