SINGAPORE: A total of 14 Singaporeans will be taking part in an international sports competition for the disabled called 'Abilympics' – formed from the words 'ability' and 'olympics' – in Japan.

The team is made up of six recovering patients from the Institute of Mental Health, three wheelchair users and five hearing-impaired persons.

They will compete in various events that make use of vocational skills, including computer-aided design architecture, data processing and painting.

The 7th International Abilympics will take place from 13 to 18 November in Shizuoka.

Eugene Soh, one of the competitors in the painting category, said: "(The competition) lets people to know that 'disabled' doesn't mean 'unable'. We would like to do more, be gainfully employed and be able to contribute to society as well... to lead a meaningful and productive life."


- CNA/so