‘No regrets despite losing election’

SINGAPORE — She has been championing disabled sports for decades, first as a volunteer coach before taking on senior roles at Special Olympics Singapore, the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) and Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC).

While Teo-Koh Sock Miang may be leaving the SDSC and SNPC council after a surprise election loss last week, the veteran sports administrator said she had “no regrets” after a successful two-year spell that included the Republic’s hosting of the 2015 Asean Para Games (APG), and the Paralympic Games in Rio in August.

At the annual general meeting held last week, Teo-Koh, who assumed the roles of SDSC president and SNPC chairman in 2014, was beaten to the top posts by former SDSC executive director Kevin Wong — he had won the election by one vote.

“I am very humbled by the opportunity to serve and to be able to contribute to the development of disability sports in Singapore,” said Teo-Koh, who will continue to serve as president of Special Olympics Singapore.

“I leave my role as SNPC chairman and SDSC president with no regrets but with gratitude and gratefulness for the opportunity and privilege to serve with others and contribute to a very successful 8th APG and Rio Paralympics outing.”

Teo-Koh, who began as a volunteer wheelchair racing and swimming coach 30 years ago, also stressed that she will continue to support disability sports as a volunteer. With swimmers Yip Pin Xiu and Theresa Goh’s triumphs at the Rio Paralympic Games thrusting para sports into the local limelight, she also hopes that more can be done to nurture and encourage persons with disabilities to take up sports.

“The next generation of Yip Pin Xius and Theresa Gohs have to start with parents who are not afraid to let their child with a disability embrace sports and a healthy active lifestyle,” she added.

Teo-Koh’s vision for disability sports is shared by its new chief Wong. “I ran for office because I share, and wanted to continue striving towards the vision of our late president, Mr Frankie Thanapal,” he told TODAY.

“He believed that the SDSC should not only support elite athletes but also actively engage and encourage the wider spectrum of individuals with disability to take up sports as a form of rehabilitative and therapy,

“My assessment (of the disability sports scene) is that more can be done to actively engage and encourage the wider spectrum of individuals with disability to take up sports as a form of rehabilitation and therapy.”

While the Paralympians’ success in Rio has created more awareness and recognition for Singapore’s para athletes, it has also ignited debate on the disparity in prize money between able-bodied and disabled athletes.

At present, an athlete who wins an individual gold at the Olympic Games is awarded S$1 million, while a similar achievement at the Paralympics will fetch S$200,000 — just a fifth of what an able-bodied athlete will receive.

Wong stressed that corporate firms and sponsors need to step in to help, as he added: “I am glad that there is more discussion on the topic of monetary awards. I welcome sponsors who want to step forward and accord the same level of recognition and monetary awards to all our athletes who meet specified targets.

“My focus is to provide our future athletes with the opportunities and resources to realise their dreams and potential. It is not just about winning medals but helping them go as far as they want to. I hope to bring on board sponsors and partners who have this same vision for Singapore.”