For the first time in local sports history, para-athletes will feature alongside their able-bodied peers when the Singapore National Games (SNG) return for its third edition from July 30 to Aug 7.

The biennial, multi-sport event for aspiring athletes will feature an expanded roster this year, with five para sports — boccia, archery, tenpin bowling, swimming and table tennis — taking the total number of sports to 21. The 2014 edition saw a total of 8,000 sign-ups across the 12 sports on offer. This year’s SNG will feature three categories (youth, open and masters) and is open to Singapore citizens, permanent residents and foreigners.

The 2016 SNG will also be held in conjunction with GetActive! Singapore, an inaugural national event that will give families — including people with disabilities — opportunities to participate in sports festivals across the island.

Mr Henry Tan, executive director of the Singapore Disability Sports Council, called the inclusion of para-sports events a “milestone for the local sporting scene”.

“Giving a chance to all athletes to compete at the highest level is a positive step towards spurring greater participation and creating inclusiveness,” he said.

The initiatives come after the Republic’s successful hosting of last December’s Asean Para Games (APG), which helped increase awareness and interest in para sports here. Last month, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) announced its five-year Disability Sports Master Plan, which will see initiatives such as the Centres of Expertise that will feature disability sports programmes and facilities, and introducing sports for rehabilitation at healthcare institutions.

MCCY Minister Grace Fu said yesterday that more sports could be added to the SNG if there is interest from participants. “After APG, we realised that sports is a great way for (people with) special needs to be involved in society,” she said. “It is a great way for them to realise their potential. Actually, we say that they have no disabilities — we just all have abilities of different levels.

“We are glad that we have some sports that we are able to incorporate, and we like to include even more sports in the future if we are able to get more take-ups.”

Added Mr Lim Teck Yin, Sport Singapore’s chief executive officer: “The big legacy from the APG was the Disability Sports Master Plan, to reach out to people with disabilities to encourage them to use sports to enrich their lives, to build a sense of confidence and esteem, and to enhance the quality of their lives when they are together with other people to play.

“Sport is a way to enable a social network of support, and so as part of that legacy of the APG, we are introducing disability sports into GetActive! Singapore at different levels — both at the SNG and the community sports festivals.”