As featured in the Tamil Murasu print edition on 14 November 2026: twenty para footballers set a new Singapore record at SingaCup by completing a 1-kilometre dribbling relay in 5 minutes 13 seconds.

By Yugesh Kannan

Twenty para footballers came together to complete a one-kilometre “dribbling relay”, in which the ball is kept moving with continuous touches, in 5 minutes 13 seconds, setting a new Singapore record.

The players set the record by each covering a 50-metre stretch of the field, one after another.

The record was set during the SingaCup football tournament for persons with disabilities, held at ITE College Central.

The tournament gave para athletes the chance to play football with enthusiasm, just like other young people.

Held in Singapore for the past 16 years, the SingaCup international football tournament gives young people the opportunity to play football in a competitive environment.

As a new initiative, a tournament for persons with disabilities was introduced last year.

SingaCup founder Selvakumar Panneerselvam said many changes were made this year compared with last year’s tournament.

“Last year’s event was a competition, so some players suffered injuries and hard feelings. So this time we changed it to friendly matches and encouraged the players to play happily,” he said.

He noted that the record attempt was designed as the highlight of the event.

“The attempt was set up with the aim of giving recognition to the abilities of para players,” said Mr Selvakumar.

Nine teams took part in the youth division and nine teams in the general division. Each team also included one player without a disability.

“When players without disabilities and para players play together, friendship, understanding and compassion between both sides grow,” said the event’s coordinator, Kumaran Arumugam.

One of the players, 13-year-old Sherman Kesavan, said he was very happy to have taken part in the tournament.

His grandfather, Mr Gunasekaran, shared that such activities help his grandson greatly.

“My grandson has a mild communication impairment. Taking part in activities like this gives him exercise and also brings him a sense of fulfilment,” said Mr Gunasekaran.

Another highlight of the tournament was that several Members of Parliament joined the other players in a friendly match.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and for National Development Alvin Tan, and Members of Parliament Dr Hamid Razak and Gabriel Lam, also took part in the game.

“There is no discrimination in football. This tournament has provided a good platform for everyone to play together, regardless of race, language, religion or disability.

“Just as they were given equal opportunities on the field, they must also be given equal opportunities in life,” Dr Hamid Razak stressed.

Source: Tamil Murasu (print edition, 14 November 2026; translated from Tamil)

Article Link: https://www.tamilmurasu.com.sg/community/new-football-record-created-persons-disabilities