1. Introduction
1.1 As a charity, SDSC lobbies financial support from grant bodies, sponsors and donors support and subsidize programmes and initiatives in promoting & developing sports in Singapore for Persons with Disabilities (PwD). The funds are allocated by SDSC to various sports based on viable multi-year plans that contribute towards a vibrant and inclusive society where PwD can pursue their sporting aspirations.
1.2 As resources are finite, SDSC adopts a co-ownership approach where it encourages, and not restrict PwD to self-fund training & competition, where possible, to broaden their exposure or deepen their skills. This ensures that PwD are not prevented from pursuing a wider array of sport opportunities by SDSC’s resources, whilst SDSC can be better positioned to reach out to more PwD, especially those who have financial needs.
2. Objective
2.1 This policy provides guidance to PwD on self-funding for competitions and trainings, to assist athletes or aspiring athletes in constituting their year plans and planning their finances.
3. Limitation
3.1 Persons who are deaf and hard-of-hearing should refer to the Deaf Sports Association for guidance.
4. Scope of self-funding
4.1 This table outlines the type of competitions and trainings where self-funding would be supported
4.2 The following expenses should be taken into consideration by athletes planning self-funding for overseas competitions and trainings:
Airfare, inclusive of taxes
Visa fees
Entry fees
Accommodation
Meals
Transport
Insurance
Other training & competition-related expenses
Similar costs to above for accompanying coaches and/or officials such as caregivers, chaperones
4.3 Athletes who are self-funding overseas competitions or trainings would make their own flight arrangements and payments.
5. Endorsement and / or approval by SDSC
5.1 Athletes may require endorsements by SDSC, which is the National Federation recognised by various International Federations, International Organisations of Sports for the Disabled and World Para Sports, to enter certain overseas competitions or training camps. Such a requirement would be typically indicated in the entry package.
5.2 Athletes may require approval by SDSC, if they wish to self-fund participation or additions, such as personal coaches or sport science and medicine personnel, for trainings or competitions that are administered or supported by SDSC
5.3 For such endorsement and/or approval, athletes may write in to the relevant SDSC Sports Officer or Disability Sport Association. The Sports Officer or Disability Sport Association would evaluate the request, and make a recommendation to SDSC management for approval.
5.4 Athletes who receive approval must sign / have signed an Athlete Agreement with SDSC (jointly with the Disability Sport Association where applicable), which outlines a Code of Conduct.
5.5 SDSC reserves the right to reject an endorsement or approval request in the best interests of all parties.
6. Contacts
6.1 Disability Sports Associations
- Bowling Association for the Disabled (Singapore)
- Goalball (Singapore)
- Lawn Bowls (Singapore)
- Para Athletics (Singapore)
- Para Cycling Federation of Singapore
- Table Tennis Association for the Disabled (Singapore)
- Wheelchair Basketball Association (Singapore)
- Wheelchair Tenis Association (Singapore)
6.2 SDSC Sports Officers
- Loh Ngiap Kiang
- Pauline Ang
6.3 Queries on this policy may be sent to pathway@sdsc.org.sg
7. References
7.1. Please refer to this website for the definitions of International Federations, International Sport Federations and International Organisations of Sports for the Disabled.
7.2 World Para Sports refer to the 10 sports for which the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) acts as the International Federation currently: para alpine skiing, para athletics, para biathlon, para cross-country skiing, para dance sport, para ice hockey, para powerlifting, para snowboard, para swimming and shooting para sport
