S'pore handcyclists aiming for 2016 Paralympics

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The Handcycling Association Singapore (HAS) is aiming to field a team of two to three physically challenged handcyclists at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics.

‎"Handcycling is now a recognised medal sport. We will be training hard over the next few years to compete at Rio 2016," said HAS president and co-founder Mr Foo Fung-Liang.

Mr Foo had lost the use of his body from his stomach down after being shot in an armed robbery in the US while working there.

Today's event was part of the one and a half month-long National Disability League 2012, an annual multi-disability sports tournament by the Singapore Disability Sports Council. Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong handcycled a lap around the stadium before flagging off the first race.

All HAS athletes are physically challenged, with conditions ranging from spinal cord injuries to cerebral palsy.

One of HAS' aims is to introduce handcycling as way for disabled people here to rehabilitate themselves and develop their mental and physical endurance.

Since its start in 2007 as an informal gathering of enthusiasts, the association has grown to almost 50 athletes, parents and volunteers.

Mr Foo added: "We especially want to reach out to disabled students in mainstream schools to offer handcycling as another form of Co-Curricular Activity that they can take up. This is part of our goal to help build a more inclusive Singapore society where the physically challenged can also live responsibly, and bond with their peers through sport."

A new feature of the Sprint Race this year was a friendly handcycling race between students of Concord Primary and a team of junior athletes.