The Para Cycling Federation of Singapore (PCFS), formerly known as the Handcycling Association of Singapore (HAS), is a non-profit national disability sports association. Re-invented as PCFS in 2017 to include other forms of para cycling, it is dedicated to the development of disabled athletes by promoting para cycling as a competitive sport, as a recreational activity and as a means of rehabilitation for persons with disabilities. Para cycling is a recognised sport and medal event at the Paralympics, and is also regarded as a form of alternative physiotherapy for those suffering from permanent or other disabilities such as cerebral palsy, stroke, etc. Our Aims
- To create awareness of Para Cycling as a sport that can enrich lives and help improve the overall physical and mental health of people with disabilities.
- To create an interactive and supportive environment for participants, with or without disabilities, to share their life experiences.
- To develop para cycling as a larger part of the local, regional, national and global cycling community.
- To eventually develop an elite para cycling team to compete amongst the best in the world and eventually to qualify for the Paralympics
These aims will be achieved by actively promoting grassroots development and community outreach programs, to provide the disabled community with a platform for social interaction with peers through Handcycling. They would meet on Saturday mornings to handcycle at Yio Chu Kang Stadium in early 2007. These support groups were started and owned by survivors of spinal cord injury and the rehab professionals at the Tan Tock Seng Hospital Rehabilitation Centre. Since then, this group of disabled sports enthusiasts have been meeting regularly to train and keep fit by hand cycling at their permanent home in ITE College East. Today, the team has grown to include other para cyclists using normal bikes. There are two main teams based on seniority and experience. The competitive athletes train on Wednesday evenings, Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings, while weekly Saturday afternoon training sessions are held for other para cyclists who have turned to the sport for both fitness and competitive training, as well as rehabilitative purposes. The Saturday sessions often include new participants to the sports as well. The team has participated in various local and regional sporting events, competing against both other disabled as well as able-bodied athletes. This includes the Aviva 70.3 Ironman Triathlons, 2010 Guangzhou Asia Para-Games, 2014 Korea Asia Para-Games and UCI Asian Para-cycling Championships.
