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I REFER to the report "More for medallists" (The Straits Times, Nov 22).
I am glad that the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) has announced an increase in monetary rewards for Paralympic Games medallists Yip Pin Xiu and Laurentia Tan.
The decision to double their initial awards is very encouraging indeed.
There should be provision to let disabled athletes receive support comparable to that bestowed on other national athletes.
The disparity between the rewards received by able-bodied athletes under the Multi-Million Dollar Award Programme and those received by disabled athletes under the Athletes Achievement Award scheme is disconcerting.
An equal incentive for Paralympians serves to acknowledge them as equals with the rest of society - something they have aspired to and worked hard for.
After all, the Paralympics are as competitive as the Olympics.
Paralympians put in the same amount of effort, if not more, and are just as skilled as the able-bodied.
In the words of SNPC chairman Tan Ju Seng: "The increase in awards is a great step forward, but I don't see this as the end. It's something we should build on, especially as disability sports become more widely known in Singapore."
Mr Sebastian Tan
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