The Yes! I Can Play Para Sports try outs held last Saturday at Sengkang Sports Centre saw more than 800 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and members of the public coming together and trying their hands at two different para sports – boccia and table tennis.

A young participant trying out para table tennis. Photo: Sport Singapore

Throughout the day, PWDs were seen trying out boccia, throwing and trying to land their set of coloured balls as close to the special target ‘jack’.

The event also saw considerable public interest in para table tennis. “It is great to see children and their parents having a go at playing table tennis that utilise a smaller table space as compared to the normal ones. Many of those who tried the sport were surprised that para table tennis can be fun and challenging at the same time,” said Ms Stefanie Ang, Project Lead for the Yes! I Can Play Para Sports event.

The event saw considerable public interest in para table tennis. Photo: Sport Singapore

Organised by SportCares Foundation, a national movement that activates sports for social good, the Yes! I Can Play Para Sports event is a lead up to the bigger Inclusive Sports Festival, which will be held on the weekend of 29 and 30 July at Our Tampines Hub.

Apart from boccia and para table tennis, there will be more para sport try outs at the Inclusive Sports Festival including tag archery, curling, goalball, sitting volleyball and many more. Participants will also be able to witness an exhilarating game of wheelchair rugby and watch an exhibition match by Singapore Football Legends and para footballers.

Members of public trying out boccia. Photo: Sport Singapore

“Community events such as the Inclusive Sport Festival, which enable people with and without disabilities to come together in a positive social environment, promotes inclusion and a sense of care for one another. I welcome anyone and everyone to the Inclusive Sports Festival, to participate in the exciting activities that have been planned, soak in the festivities and more importantly, to have fun,” said Kerk Kim Por, Director, SportCares Foundation.

For more details on Inclusive Sports Festival, visit inclusivesport.sg