Four athletes will be representing the Singapore Para Athletes Commission (SPAC) for the term from 2023 to 2027. They are:
Nurulasyiqah Taha (Boccia) – Chairperson
Toh Wei Soong (Para Swimming) – Vice-Chairperson
Maximillian Tan (Para Equestrian) – Honorary Secretary
Adelia Naomi Yokoyama (Deaf Bowling) – Member
Taha and Tan were elected, while Toh and Yokoyama were appointed onto the SPAC.
The SPAC will serve as the collective voice of para athletes in Singapore and seek to represent their interests and views. They will also provide effective input into decision-making so that para athletes train and compete within a supportive and transparent system. SPAC members will be the link between Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC), Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) and Singapore para athletes.
During her term as the Chairperson, Boccia player Taha plans to conduct a needs assessment survey of her fellow para athletes to better understand them and identify areas where SPAC can support them or connect them with relevant resources.
Toh, who medalled in all his five events in the last ASEAN Para Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, accepted the nomination and said: “(I hope) to give back to the para sports community, using my years of experience and connection to bring a better deal to my fellow athletes, whom I know the struggles and lives of, and whom I believe I can best serve by working with like-minded members of SPAC.”
Para Equestrian Tan has always hoped to raise awareness of both the equestrian sport and disabilities. On why he decided to stand for election, Tan commented, “(I want) to serve as a collective voice advocating the best interests for our para-athletes, providing inputs and recommendations to the SNPC and SDSC from an athlete perspective.”
Yokoyama, who despite her profound hearing loss won Singapore’s first Deaflympics gold medal in 2017, aspires to have a better and deeper understanding of her fellow para athletes to provide them the support and help they need through sports and lifestyle. As an SPAC member, she wants to be their voice.
The SPAC will meet at least once every six (6) months.