GetActive! Singapore’s primary purpose may be to encourage everyone to live better through sport, but this nationwide sporting event also provides precious opportunity to our country’s sports enthusiasts.
Without the platform of GetActive! Singapore competitions, 11-year-old Aloysius Gan wouldn’t have had the opportunity to pit his skills against national boccia player and Paralympian Nurulasyiqah Mohammad Taha.
Aloysius Gan and his father in action during GetActive! Singapore at Heartbeat @ Bedok. Photo: Sport Singapore
The regulations of international competitions state that only athletes above the age of 15 are allowed to participate. This means the young but talented Aloysius hasn’t had much chance to go up against the best in the sport.
On Sunday, however, he took up the challenge splendidly and shocked everyone with a 6-3 win over Nurul, who is arguably Singapore’s top boccia player.
The boy was all smiles after the match, clearly delighted with the win. And just then, the future of Singapore boccia looked just as bright as his smile did.
While it was a significant win, the boy and his father (who is also his sports assistant) are not letting the victory get to their head.
“Obviously, he is happy but we still have a long way to go. One match doesn’t mean anything. He still has to work hard,” said the father Kagan Gan.
“If you win or lose, it doesn’t matter.”
The weeklong sporting bash also gave Mohamad Audi a chance to participate in his first boccia competition.
Mohamad Audi in action during the competition. Photo: Sport Singapore
As the 18-year-old is from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore School (CPASS), where they don’t hold competitions, the young man has gained valuable experience from GetActive! Singapore.
“This way, they can see that they actually are able to do something, and are not limited by their disabilities,” said his teacher and sports assistant Alvin Yeo.
“This is very good exposure for them so that other members of public can see that students with disability can perform well in sports as well.”