We are very proud to announce that our LBAD members represented Singapore in Lawn Bowls in the FESPIC GAMES 06 which was held in Kuala Lampur from 25th November to 1st December 2006.The FESPIC Games is a high- level multisports competition, second only to the paralympics, held for the disabled sports persons in the Far East and South Pacific Region. The Games this year saw 48 countries vying for the honours in various sports including lawn bowls.

The above members as indicated below partook in the games.

They are:- Robert Tan Jee Keng, Bakiah Bin Hashim, Mohammed Hussain Bin Abduljabbar, Faridah Bte Salleh, Poh Gwat Eng, Susan Yap sook Ling.

Sending off the team from Singapore - The Guest of Honour for the sending off was RADM (Ret) Kwek Siew Jin , President, National Council of Social Service (NCSS).	Team members in pre-match training
Team members with supporters (volunteers) from singapore	Singapore contingent at the opening ceremony in KL
Members with other participating teams	Members with the Chef de mission, Nancy Chia
The gold medal winners	The silver medal winners
Silver medalist	Silver medalist
Celebrating with teammates	Relaxing after the event
Closing ceremony	Welcoming the team back to Singapore

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A greying singapore lawn bowler's trip down under sparks off a mission to provide a green for the disabled in Singapore

Location :	Society for Physically Disabled (SPD)
Guest of Honour:	Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and sports.

Mr. Purush witnessed the Disabled enjoying themselves in the game of Lawn Bowls whilst participating in a tournament in Australia.

Upon his return Mr Purush initiated the formation of the Lawn Bowls Association for the Disabled (Singapore), LBAD. The LBAD was registered in April 2004 with the objective of providing Lawn Bowling, a non physically demanding game.

The stage set for the official launch.



Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and sports, with LBAD Vice President, Capt. Kuttan Chitharanjan.



Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, with the LBAD president Mr.Purushothaman.



Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, the Guest of Honour.



Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, trying his hand at Lawn Bowls.

The objective is to enrich the quality of life for the Disabled through sports. The vision of the LBAD is to provide a conducive recreational environment for all the disabled irrespective of their disabilities.

The above said launch was made possible by the kind support from friends, committee members, donations by institutions and organisations such as NOL, Lee Foundation, SDSC, Rotary Club of Singapore, Angka Electronics, Kairali Bistro, Kris Ellson Engineering, Kathmandu Collections and Black Chalk Productions. The Lawn Bowl Green was installed on the 5th floor terrace of the premises of the Society for the Physically Dsabled (SPD) ABILITY HOUSE in Peng Nguan Street in September 2005. This was also made possible by the very kind offer from the management of the Society for the Physically Disabled.

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The patch of grass costs $30,000. But for retired Mr. A Purushotaman, it is worth every centimetre. Together with his committee members, this 76-year old president of the Lawn Bowls Association for the Disabled (LBAD) spent three years canvassing for funds. They wanted a custom-made green as well as equipment for the disabled.

Mr purushothaman, a lawn-bowl enthusiast, was in Brisbane for a competition in 2001. Inspired, he wanted to set up something similar here.

A former auditor, financial controller and manager who retired in July last year, he returned to cajole his friends to come together to set up lawn bowling facilities for the disabled. He formed a committee and the LBAD was born five years later, in April last year. He also managed to import the custom-made (synthetic) grass from Australia. LBAD was officially inaugarated by Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, last Saturday.

Standing in front of a few wheelchair-bound players on the green, Mr Purushothaman said: "It is normally quiet when they begin to play. But you know why they are shouting? It's because they are getting excited!" But it was no easy task for him. While working full-time, there were days when he had to draft letters and contact organisations for donations. He also took time off from his day job to attend meetings with them. The problem was in convincing people to chip in for the cause. Luckily, Neptune Orient Lines, Lee Foundation, the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) and the Rotary Club of Singapore responded.

One restaurant owner even hosted a fund-raising dinner at his own expense. But funds were still insufficient-they could pay for the green but not for the equipment.

Lent His Savings

So, Mr. Purushothaman loaned part of his own savings to the Association to make up the amount. The green now sits on the rooftop of the Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD) building near Tiong Bahru market. It is the only indoor one in Singapore. Although at 32m, it is seven meters shorter than the usual 39m, the green can host two games at one time.

It has become a gathering place in the evenings for ex-leprosy patients and the blind. Wheelchair-bound ten pin bowlers Mr. Kelvin Ho,48 and Mr. Albert Pang, 65 are there three times a week. Although the sport is still relatively unknown here, Captain Kuttan Chitharanjan, 71, a retired portmaster and LBAD's vice president, hopes it will appeal to the blubd, who can play the game by listening to the clapping sounds in order to judge the distance of the ball.

While four coaches have already been appointed, the game is "easy to learn, but hard to master". But LBAD is thankful for the location. Said Mr. Purushothaman, "Getting the place itself is a million-dollar gift. The toilets, the lifts, the lights, are all built for the disabled." Still the cost of up-keeping the green, training and organising competitions is a problem. The lease to the rooftop premises expires in two years, which means the green might have to find another home. "We are looking for more avenues to accomodate another lawn and more players".