SINGAPORE OPEN TRIPLES DEBUTS INCLUSIVE FORMAT BRINGS PARA AND ABLE PLAYERS TOGETHER

A new chapter in inclusive sport took stage over the weekend as Bowls Singapore and Parabowls Singapore introduced the inaugural Singapore Open Triples 2026 at Kallang Bowls Green on 2 and 3 May 2026.

The competition was conceptualised on a simple but meaningful condition; each team of three included at least one para athlete, ensuring that differently-abled and able-bodied players competed side by side. 

Fifteen teams took part, comprising 15 para players and 30 able-bodied players, with nearly all active para bowlers in Singapore represented.

Spanning two days, participants played a full schedule of round-robin matches on Saturday, followed by quarterfinals, semifinals, and the finals on Sunday. 

Strong Finish to a Competitive Field

15 teams, one shared space. Beyond the structure of the competition, it was the human stories that defined the weekend. Families, friends and teammates came together in ways rarely seen in sport.

Husband and wife Srini R. Srinivasan and Marianne Srinivasan teamed up with wheelchair player Desiree Lim. Sisters Valerie Hutapea and Susan Harmer Lauw competed alongside veteran wheelchair athlete Aisah Ibrahim. A father and son pair, Edmund Lin and Lin Xingyu, played with visually impaired athlete Theresa Tung. Brothers Logan and Mahendran Pasupathy (Mahendran is visually impaired) joined forces with a junior academy player, Benedict Chua. Mother and daughter Vernice Goh and Mikaela Ng added a personal twist by competing on different teams.

Winners - (left to right) Bernard Foo, James Joseph, Pang Heng Heck

Amid the weekend's inclusive spirit, the competition remained closely contested throughout. Emerging as champions were Bernard Foo, James Joseph and Pang Heng Heck, who delivered a composed performance throughout and in the final to secure the inaugural title.

Building a Game where Everyone Belongs
Leaders from both organisations were also part of the action, including Bowls Singapore Deputy President Joel Chia and Vice President (High Performance) Edmund Lin, alongside President of Parabowls Singapore, Ganesh S Ramanathan and Vice President Fathima Mohietheen.

From left to right - 13-year-old Mikaela (multiple medalist in Nationals), 54-year-old Harminder Pal Singh (1 year into the sport), and 60-year-old Ganesh played in a team

“Since our inception, Parabowls Singapore has been committed to advancing inclusivity in the sport.,” said Ganesh S Ramanathan, President of Parabowls Singapore. “Over the past few years, we have organised social inclusive games. This competition brings that commitment to life by creating a platform where players of different abilities can compete together.”

With strong participation in its inaugural edition, the Singapore Open Triples 2026 demonstrates the viability of inclusive competition formats in bowls.