Group Photo of participants who made SFGC 2023 possible
What a resounding success the inaugural Sports for Good Carnival (SFGC) 2023 was! The event promoted inclusivity through sports, where participants came together to connect and raise awareness of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). Student-athletes from over 10 SUSS Competition Groups (CGs) embraced the SUSS SPIRIT through their involvement in the organisation and execution of the carnival which was held on campus on 15 April.
From left to right, Ms Alvina Neo, Ms Nurulasyiqah, Mr Hay Qing Hui and Ms Lydia (emcee)
The event kicked off with a panel sharing by our guest speakers on their sporting journey and experiences. Alvina Neo, an SUSS alumni and Para-Athlete, shared her challenges and experiences pursuing sports and representing Singapore in international competitions as a person with Spina Bifida. Her story is a testament to resilience, as she continued her sporting journey despite suffering an injury during a hand-cycling race at the Incheon Asian Para Games in 2014.
Participant trying his hand at the Boccia and Tchoukball Zones.
Hay Qing Hui, Appointed Board Member in Special Olympics Singapore (SOSG), shared how the organisation supports athletes with intellectual disabilities and how sports can be a powerful tool in fostering a more socially inclusive and accepting community.
As the first Singaporean to compete in Boccia at the Paralympic level, Paralympian Nurulasyiqah Bte Mohd Taha exemplified values of self-discipline and resilience in the pursuit of her sporting dreams by juggling her full-time job with her athlete commitments. Missing out on the Tokyo 2020 Qualifiers motivated Nurul to shift her focus towards her preparations for Paris 2024.
Soong Hung Ning, a Year 2 student from SUSS' Bachelor of Science in Finance degree shared after attending the event, “The guest speakers were inspiring and it was really eye-opening to hear them share both the highs and lows of their journeys. There was also the opportunity to try out Boccia and I thoroughly enjoyed the game experience as it was different from other typical sports. Even though the sport is designed for athletes with disabilities, the skills and strategy one needs to win against your opponent allowed me to view them in a different light.”
Participants taking part in the Adaptive Fitness programme by imPAct@Hong Lim Green
ImPAct@HongLim Green also conducted sessions on Adaptive Fitness, where participants were taught modified workout exercises that were suitable for all individuals regardless of abilities, thus promoting a better understanding of the PWD community. Tchoukball and Football CG also set up stations and adapted the sports activities to make them accessible and allowed people of varying abilities to play.
Associate Professor Ada Wong, Marketing Professor from SUSS School of Business, who came with her family enjoyed the various sports activities at the carnival, “The games were adapted in a way that both people with or without disabilities can play together, which is a brilliant idea to promote social inclusion. The student facilitators were also helpful in accommodating the needs of my son (a wheelchair user) and very encouraging as he played the games.”
SUSS Soulstice (left) and SUSS Sensaxion (right) showcasing their talented performances
The Sports for Good initiative is funded by the Sports For Good Fund, which supports the SUSS CGs in organising sports-related programmes benefitting the underserved. Interested donors can donate to this cause via this link (https://www.suss.edu.sg/giving/suss-sports-for-good-fund) to encourage giving back to the community through sports.