Five-time Paralympic gold medallist Yip Pin Xiu receives $800,000* for the two Paralympic gold medals won at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. 20% of this will go to SDSC and SNPC.
The Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) announced that DBS Bank will be supporting the SNPC’s Athletes Achievement Awards (AAA) through the provision of cash awards for medals won by Singaporean athletes at major para games. DBS Bank comes on board alongside primary sponsor Tote Board, and will match Tote Board’s sponsorship of the AAA. DBS Bank has committed its support for the AAA through to the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. The AAA is awarded to outstanding para athletes who have excelled and medalled at the major para games. The award is given out in recognition of the athletes’ achievement and celebrates their commitment, discipline and passion to training and competing at the highest level for Singapore.
Organised by the SNPC, the 2021 Athletes Achievement Awards & Appreciation Ceremony, held at One Farrer Hotel (16 Oct), celebrated the achievements of the Team Singapore contingent for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The ceremony was graced by Guest of Honour Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law, and attended by athletes, officials and key stakeholders and supporters.
Said DBS Singapore Group Executive and Country Head Shee Tse Koon, “The Singapore Paralympians are a true inspiration. So when SNPC approached DBS recently to ask if we would consider sponsoring the AAA, we readily agreed. All of us can do our part to create a more inclusive Singapore. As a Singapore brand, we also believe in supporting and nurturing homegrown talent. In addition, Singapore’s para athletes exemplify a strong sense of purpose, passion and excellence – values that all of us in Team DBS share. It is our privilege to come alongside them in their journey, and to celebrate their hard-fought and well-deserved achievements.”
Swim queen Yip Pin Xiu won two gold medals in the Women’s 50m Backstroke - S2 and the Women’s 100m Backstroke - S2 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Ms Yip, the reigning world champion and the record holder in both events, was presented with two cheques amounting to $800,000.
“Representing Singapore at the highest level is a privilege and to have won two gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games is testament to the hard work that the team and I have put in. I am glad that Singapore is taking active steps towards achieving parity for the cash quantum and this is a step in the right direction. I have set my eyes on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and will continue to train hard,” said Ms Yip.
Team Singapore put on a remarkable showing at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, marking Singapore’s 9th time participating at the Paralympic Games with two gold medals won by swim queen Ms Yip.
“We are proud of our Team Singapore athletes for their performances at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. We witnessed them navigate the challenges brought about by the pandemic, and I thank them for their commitment to sport. I would also like to appreciate the team behind the team, family members, coaches, sports administrators, ministry partners, technical sports staff, partners and donors, for without whom, the journey would not have been possible. We welcome DBS Bank and we thank them for rising to the occasion and joining us on our journey ahead. We are excited about our athletes’ continued success on the international stage. The SNPC is thankful to the Tote Board, DBS Bank and many other stakeholders as partners in sport,” said A/Prof Teo-Koh Sock Miang, President, SNPC.
“The accomplishments of our Team Singapore athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games have cheered and inspired Singaporeans from all walks of life. I thank SNPC and their corporate sponsors for supporting our Paralympians wholeheartedly in their sporting journey and recognising their achievements unequivocally. SNPC has made great strides in their efforts to enhance the rewards for para athletes in major games and I encourage more well-wishers and donors to support their cause, and become our partners in sport. The Government is committed to working with our stakeholders to make disability sports accessible, encourage more participation, and foster an inclusive society where people of all abilities could experience, play, and excel in sports,” said Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law.
*Under the AAA scheme, and with DBS Bank’s support, 20 percent of the total cash award will be equally divided and goes to the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) and the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) to help fund future training & development, as well as support Singapore’s participation at Para Games.