Wanted in Covid-19 crisis: New ways for people with disabilities to take part in sports

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating and profound impact not just on the global economy, but on how people interact, work, play and exercise.

With physical lessons disrupted, we held our first online refresher lesson for our disabled players a few weeks ago via video-conferencing tool Zoom, so that they could still practise their moves in the comfort of their homes.

Beyond ensuring their lawn-bowling skills do not become rusty, it is crucial to know that our players are doing fine and staying safe this period.

Sport keeps one healthy and acts as a catalyst for a confidence boost. Participation from persons with disabilities in sports also creates opportunities for them in society and helps move us towards a more inclusive Singapore.

This is especially crucial in times like these, when the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in increased physical distancing among Singaporeans, and to varying extents, affected their social and mental well-being.

Perhaps it is high time for disability sports associations to embrace digital tools as the norm for conducting lessons.

For instance, footballers from the Singapore cerebral palsy football team have been on a customised home-based training programme while staying connected via virtual means.

The Inside Track portal launched by the Singapore Disability Sports Council is specially curated for persons with disabilities, providing them with interviews, tips and advice on how individual training could still be done this period.

Such methods of conducting lessons may not be effective for certain types of sports, such as team-related sports, where the development of team camaraderie may be restricted through online means as team members are physically separated.

Nonetheless, such initiatives allow persons with disabilities to practise their sporting skills at their convenience online, given that their movement would be even more limited because of precautions during the pandemic.

Also, it may be opportune to review existing rules for disability sports, taking into consideration the need for enhanced precautions against Covid-19. 

As part of the new normal, sporting rules may have to take into consideration more spacious venues, so that players can still adhere to safe-distancing measures. For team-based sports, shorter durations could be imposed to reduce physical contact among players.

Disability sports associations will then be able to promote their sports in a curated manner where safe and healthy participation is encouraged.

The outcome of such a review should translate to a phased roll-out of revised rules and regulations for future competitions, to allow competitive disabled players to train without fear of contracting the coronavirus.

While Covid-19 has imposed untimely and considerable inconvenience, such a disruption brings about the need for transformation.

We should not let this pandemic disrupt the fundamentals of leading a physically and mentally active lifestyle, especially if we want to move towards an inclusive Singapore. 

This will still be achievable even with enhanced precautions against Covid-19, coupled with the adoption of digital tools.

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Mr James Chia Wei Hong, 31, is vice-president of the Lawn Bowls Association for the Disabled (Singapore), where he promotes lawn bowling as an inclusive sport for the community.

Have views on this issue or a news topic you care about? Send your letter to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.