FAMILIES ENJOY FATHER'S DAY ON THE RUNWAY

This year's National Runway Cycling and Skating (NRWCS) event took place on 17 Jun at Paya Lebar Air Base and attracted about 6,000 Operationally-Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) and their families. Held on Father's Day, NRWCS 2012 featured the traditional cycling and skating races, game stations as well as interaction booths at the carnival.

Commander of Paya Lebar Air Base and Chairman of the NRWCS 2012 Organising Committee Senior Lieutenant Colonel (SLTC) Foo Yang Ge said: "NRWCS is organised in support of promoting a healthy lifestyle to get families to cycle and skate on the runway for a day of fun and bonding."

In support of the Dads for Life movement which encourages active fathering, organisers specially set up stations in the hangars with 19 games specially designed for NSmen and their families to get to know each other better.

Minister of State for Defence and Education Lawrence Wong, who is also President of SAFRA, was the guest of honour at the event. After flagging off the cycling and skating races, Mr Wong joined in and took part in the cycling event.

He also took a tour of the carnival grounds and visited several of the game stations, including one that was inspired by the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT). He then interacted with several children from the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) as well as hand cyclists from the Handcycling Association Singapore (HAS), who are disabled athletes.

Mr Michael Ngu, a veteran hand cyclist who is part of the hand cycling national team, said: "Being disabled since five, I've never let this physical handicap stop me from doing what I want. I could still play sports such as tennis, golf, skiing and swimming... There are a lot of young people who think their world has crumbled after becoming disabled but I hope to encourage them and be their role model because I have been through that phase in life before."

When asked why he participated in NRWSC 2012, he said: "It's always been my dream to cycle on the runway; it's broad and free of traffic."

In commemoration of NS45, which marks the 45th anniversary of NS, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) also demonstrated arming drills of the F-16D+ aircraft and anti-aircraft 35mm guns.

SLTC Foo said that this year's event was exceptionally meaningful as it coincided with the commemoration of NS45. He added that the arming demonstrations allowed the public to "better appreciate some of the RSAF's capabilities".

Among the families enjoying themselves at the NRWCS 2012 were father and son Mr Goh Yew Seng and Lieutenant (LTA) (NS) Amos Goh Shun Wei, formerly from 160 Squadron (SQN).

On advice that his father gave about NS, LTA (NS) Goh said: "My dad always reminded me to take my training seriously so that I can pass my knowledge on to the next generation of soldiers."

Held for the 16th year since 1996, the NRWCS is an annual event jointly organised by SAFRA and the RSAF to encourage family bonding as well as to promote an active healthy lifestyle for NSmen and their families. The NRWCS 2012 is held in celebration of NS45 and SAFRA's 40th anniversary.