On Wednesday, 24th April 2019, ten (10) deaf bowlers will be flying off to Manila to compete in the 1st ASEAN Deaf Bowling Championships 2019. A total of twelve (12) members including officials are scheduled to depart from the Changi Airport T1 and they are:
From Left: James Lee Siau Hua, Vincent Chong Kar Keong, Neoh Joe Eng, Toh Chiew Sen, Lim Teck Kee, Adelia Naomi Yokoyama, Teh Jiao Hao, Tan Teck Soon, Kwok Charn Chung, Kimberly Quek Hwee, Toh Guanghui and Francis Liew Foo Wai.
Thorough preparations have been made since 2018 and these deaf bowlers underwent gruelling rounds of selection trials in order to qualify for the championships. Hopes are high for some whilst everyone is motivated to shine at the inauguration of the championships for the ASEAN region. This is the first edition of the ASEAN Deaf Bowling Championships and the Philippines has the honour to host it for the first time. The performances by the Singapore deaf bowlers in these championships shall serve as the qualifying standard for the upcoming 4th World Deaf Bowling Championships 2019, Taoyuan, Taiwan in August.
The bowlers to watch in this ASEAN championships will be from Singapore and they are Adelia Naomi and Kimberly Quek. These two (2) female bowlers made history by winning the first-ever medals in Deaflympics 2017, Samsun, Turkey. There are other hopefuls too from the Singapore team as every bowler is eyeing for a place in the podium.
When the first-ever medals were won during the 2017 Deaflympics in Samsun, Turkey, by two (2) talented deaf bowlers, Singapore was once again in the history books since the last 2016 Olympics and Paralympics triumph in Rio de Janeiro. Unfortunately, the national celebration for these deaf bowlers was not as extravagant as the other two major games. The reason being, not many Singaporeans knew the Deaflympics do exist in the first place.
For those who unaware of the facts, Deaflympics or formerly known as International Silent Games; existed even before the Paralympics got its name. It began in 1924 as the first games for people with disabilities which was in Paris. Deaflympics take place every four years like the Olympics and Paralympics. The Summer Deaflympics and the Winter Deaflympics are held, in turn, each second year. These Deaflympics receive official patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The Deaf Sports Association (Singapore), DSA, is the National Deaf Sports Federation recognised by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) who is the main governing body responsible for the organisation of Deaflympics and other World Deaf Championships.
“We would move mountains in order to gain the national recognition for these deaf sports in Singapore. As we are one of the 113 national deaf sports federations in the world, who are the members of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), we are on the right path and only time will tell,” claimed the Vice-President of DSA, Jaffa Mohamed Salleh, who is also the Chairman of Talent Development for the deaf sports in Singapore.
The deaf bowlers along with the accompanying officials will be departing for Manila on Wednesday, 24 April 2019 via an early morning flight at 0615hrs on JetStar 3K761. The team will be checking-in at 0415hrs at Changi Airport Terminal 1, Row 9, Door 4.
Wishing all the best to our Singapore Deaf Bowling Team!
