Athletes eager to compete as 10th Special Olympics Singapore National Games kick off

SINGAPORE – Through her schooling years, Nuraqilah Fatin Swat dabbled in different sports like football and floorball, but felt that none really suited her.

With knee injuries also making it hard for her to pursue these sports, she began to search for other hobbies she could do outside of her job as a barista.

Four months ago, while scrolling through Instagram, she came across a post on bocce, a bowling game of Italian origin played on a long narrow court, and decided to give it a try.

The 30-year-old quickly took a liking to the sport and will be participating in her first bocce competition – the Special Olympics Singapore National Games, which will be held from May 30 to June 2.

Although she picked up bocce only recently, Fatin is aiming for gold at the event as she eyes a spot at the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Santiago, Chile.

She said: “During my school days, I always saw my classmates going for Special Olympics competitions, they always got the chance to go overseas to compete.

“I already had interest in sport for a long time but I just didn’t get the chance to join (these overseas competitions),but after I work, I just thought maybe I want to join the Special Olympics with a sport that suits me.”

Fatin was speaking on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics Singapore National Games, which took place at Bishan Stadium on May 30.

The ceremony was graced by guest-of-honour President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who declared the Games open.

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