Diverse talents on show at Para Games
Performers at the Opening Ceremony preview on Oct 20, 2015. Photo: Don Wong/TODAY
SINGAPORE — Local para athletes will be the stars of the ASEAN Para Games opening and closing ceremonies on Dec 3 and Dec 9 respectively. But they will not be the only star performers at both events.
They will be joined by 1,409 other people — 174 volunteers, 120 motivators, 454 students and 661 performers, to be precise — who have been hard at work at rehearsals to ensure that both ceremonies turn out to be memorable events.
Anchored and inspired by people with disabilities, the two shows will also see “live” sign language interpretations and “live” captioning for the first time in Singapore broadcasting.
Neoh Yew Kim, a sign-language interpreter who is deaf and uses a hearing aid, will be volunteering at the opening ceremony.
She said: “I feel very honoured and proud to be part of this event. It is my first time performing in this type of event and I feel very happy to show that I am supporting them (the athletes).”
Neoh, 21, graduated from Singapore Polytechnic this year with a diploma in information technology and was also part of the institution’s Sign Language Club.
She said she has been preparing hard for her performance. “It will be challenging,” she said. “It’s tough to memorise the poem I am assigned to, and remember the movements, but I have been practising at home and starting to memorise them.
“Normally I do sign movements only, but for this event I need to perform and dance as well, so it will be a whole new challenge. But I am looking forward to it.”
Another performer at the opening ceremony, Bae Ah Leong, 78, who is visually impaired, is motivated to put on a great show. “Most people with disabilities of my age stay home and don’t go out,” she said. “While performing in public can be nerve-racking, this also teaches me not be scared and to stand up to challenges.”
Bae will be taking part in the 30-minute activity before the ceremony and is part of the marching contingent in Act 1: Stretching the Boundaries.
And she has a message for all those who are disabled and afraid of trying out new things.
“Even if it’s hard, it’s all about your attitude towards it,” she said. “As long as you put your heart and soul into it, you will be okay.”
