8th ASEAN Para Games 2015
We are finally done with the 8th ASEAN Para Games 2015! It was indeed an one of kind experience and if given the chance again, I would definitely volunteer for it.
At first, when I signed up to be a volunteer for the Para Games, I was skeptical about what the website had promised. Hence, I went for the training and the first day of volunteering without expecting much.
When I went to my designated venue, I was kind of nervous because I'm afraid I would unintentionally offend the athletes due to our physical differences. I braced myself as athletes started to fill up the venue. My first impression on them had got to be, friendly. Despite the nervousness they had due to their upcoming competition, they still smiled and treat us, volunteers with respect rather than to take us for granted and treat us like their personal maids. I remembered how nervous I was when I had to come in contact with an athlete who has half an arm. He asked for two bottles of water and held out that half arm, I was hesitant but he kept encouraging me, telling me that it was alright. Thanks to him, I opened up to the athletes who seem a little different from us and slowly I come to realise that, despite that difference, they still function as well like us.
Very often, when we see people on wheelchair or crutches, we tend to help them instinctively but what we don't know is that they have an ego too. They want to be treated equally, to them, they don't want to be seen as someone who constantly needs people to help them and neither do they need our sympathy. Seeing all the athletes training at the venue really makes me ponder about myself. I have so much respect for every single one of the athletes, their determination to win the competition really touches me. I have a whirlpool of emotions going through me whenever I see the athletes training and competing.
After a few days at the athlete's training venue, I went on to carry out my duties at the competition venue which is even more heartwarming. Seeing athletes competing and giving their all despite having disabilities really makes me want to run up and give them a BIG BIG hug. Seeing them on track or on the field really makes them no difference than us, in them, we see the determination and the perseverance. Every time I see the winner appear on the screen, I can't help but think how much they have gone through to be where they are today. At the same time, I think about the other athletes who didn't win, how are they feeling? I just want to tell every single one of them that it doesn't matter whether they win or not, I'm sure their country is still going to be proud of them and we are still going to support them for their next competition! It's really all about the sportsmanship, I would say. For example, I witness the 1500m men today, though Singapore didn't win and came in the last few but they still gave their best and finished the race even though others had already finished it a few minutes ago and they were obviously suffering. No kidding, I was really touched, felt like tears were forming but there were too many people around so I stopped myself.
Through Para Games, I also witness how Singaporeans came together as one. During the Cerebral Palsy Football match where Singapore was against Malaysia, Singaporeans were cheering loudly and enthusiastically for our own team. The morale was super high in the national stadium and every single time we had a goal, it's like everyone in the stadium became family. We cheered with immense pride for our team as one. Definitely not a common sight I witness whenever I step out of the house!
At the end of the day, I must say this experience in 8th ASEAN Para Games 2015 is really unforgettable. The new friends I've made who are all passionate about volunteering, and the athletes who I've witnessed putting in their heart and soul for every training and competition, they are going to leave a very deep impression on my mind and will definitely aid in my process of growing up. Thank you Team Nila for allowing me to gain this exposure and learn so much from this event. Big thank you to all the athletes too, for not giving up and giving their all, motivating me to work harder for what I want to achieve in the future. Lastly, thank you APG for letting me experience things which I've never experienced before.
This marks the end of my 8th ASEAN Para Games 2015 journey and I can't be more happy and proud to be a part of this. Together, let's continue to celebrate the extraordinary!
Jing Yi
At first, when I signed up to be a volunteer for the Para Games, I was skeptical about what the website had promised. Hence, I went for the training and the first day of volunteering without expecting much.
When I went to my designated venue, I was kind of nervous because I'm afraid I would unintentionally offend the athletes due to our physical differences. I braced myself as athletes started to fill up the venue. My first impression on them had got to be, friendly. Despite the nervousness they had due to their upcoming competition, they still smiled and treat us, volunteers with respect rather than to take us for granted and treat us like their personal maids. I remembered how nervous I was when I had to come in contact with an athlete who has half an arm. He asked for two bottles of water and held out that half arm, I was hesitant but he kept encouraging me, telling me that it was alright. Thanks to him, I opened up to the athletes who seem a little different from us and slowly I come to realise that, despite that difference, they still function as well like us.
Very often, when we see people on wheelchair or crutches, we tend to help them instinctively but what we don't know is that they have an ego too. They want to be treated equally, to them, they don't want to be seen as someone who constantly needs people to help them and neither do they need our sympathy. Seeing all the athletes training at the venue really makes me ponder about myself. I have so much respect for every single one of the athletes, their determination to win the competition really touches me. I have a whirlpool of emotions going through me whenever I see the athletes training and competing.
After a few days at the athlete's training venue, I went on to carry out my duties at the competition venue which is even more heartwarming. Seeing athletes competing and giving their all despite having disabilities really makes me want to run up and give them a BIG BIG hug. Seeing them on track or on the field really makes them no difference than us, in them, we see the determination and the perseverance. Every time I see the winner appear on the screen, I can't help but think how much they have gone through to be where they are today. At the same time, I think about the other athletes who didn't win, how are they feeling? I just want to tell every single one of them that it doesn't matter whether they win or not, I'm sure their country is still going to be proud of them and we are still going to support them for their next competition! It's really all about the sportsmanship, I would say. For example, I witness the 1500m men today, though Singapore didn't win and came in the last few but they still gave their best and finished the race even though others had already finished it a few minutes ago and they were obviously suffering. No kidding, I was really touched, felt like tears were forming but there were too many people around so I stopped myself.
Through Para Games, I also witness how Singaporeans came together as one. During the Cerebral Palsy Football match where Singapore was against Malaysia, Singaporeans were cheering loudly and enthusiastically for our own team. The morale was super high in the national stadium and every single time we had a goal, it's like everyone in the stadium became family. We cheered with immense pride for our team as one. Definitely not a common sight I witness whenever I step out of the house!
At the end of the day, I must say this experience in 8th ASEAN Para Games 2015 is really unforgettable. The new friends I've made who are all passionate about volunteering, and the athletes who I've witnessed putting in their heart and soul for every training and competition, they are going to leave a very deep impression on my mind and will definitely aid in my process of growing up. Thank you Team Nila for allowing me to gain this exposure and learn so much from this event. Big thank you to all the athletes too, for not giving up and giving their all, motivating me to work harder for what I want to achieve in the future. Lastly, thank you APG for letting me experience things which I've never experienced before.
This marks the end of my 8th ASEAN Para Games 2015 journey and I can't be more happy and proud to be a part of this. Together, let's continue to celebrate the extraordinary!
Jing Yi
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