Frankie Thanapal Sinniah, the former president of the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) and Secretary General of the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) passed away on Monday on 17th December 2012, at the age of 61. The champion for disability sports, never let his own condition of a weakened left leg, brought upon by polio, dissuade him from taking up sports. He actively pursued sports, with the firm belief that a person’s disability should never disqualify him from taking up sports.

As a former national swimmer and track and field athlete himself, Frankie understood very well the trials and tribulations of an athlete but more importantly through his example, he showed that sport was achievable for anyone with disabilities.

For his tireless efforts promoting and making disability sports accessible to the community, he was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2001 and a Public Service Star in 2010
An athlete and former Paralympian, Frankie was Singapore’s chef-de-mission at both the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and the 2012 London Paralympics. He led Team Singapore to new heights at these two Paralympics.

His tenure at both the Singapore Disability Sports Council and the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) shall be remembered by many and he will be sadly missed.
The SNPC and Singapore has lost a great comrade, friend and champion of disability sports.