News Releases
Singapore, 3 December 2020 – Bridgestone Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in sustainable mobility and advanced solutions, today announced its partnership with Singaporean para cyclist Tee Wee Leong (Steve) and pilot Ang Kee Meng for the much-awaited Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games next year.
As a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, Bridgestone believes that sport has the power to excite, inspire and unite people from diverse backgrounds all over the world. In line with this, the company is proud to partner with the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) and Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) to support athletes on their journey to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The announcement is also timely as it is observed in conjunction with the United Nations’ International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPwD).
Steve, who is visually impaired, and Ang Kee Meng join Team Bridgestone as the first Singaporean athlete ambassadors. This accomplished duo have demonstrated sporting prowess in the face of adversity, having qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games next year. Bridgestone has helped the pair chase their dreams with a donation that contributed towards their equipment, training and competition fees.
Teo-Koh Sock Miang, Chairman and President of Singapore National Paralympic Council and Singapore Disability Sports Council, said, “Our sportsmen and women have undergone rigorous training and overcome various challenges to reach where they are today. Support from corporate partners like Bridgestone enable our athletes to focus on their training and realise their sporting ambitions. Ultimately, such meaningful partnerships help achieve our goal of promoting disability sports in Singapore.”
Steve said, “I am honoured to represent Bridgestone and be the first Team Bridgestone athlete ambassador in Singapore alongside my partner Kee Meng. It is especially rewarding to partner with a company that holds the same beliefs and values of empowering people to chase their dreams. Just as I have found a purpose and a passion in tandem-cycling, I hope to inspire more people to play sports and achieve their goals.”
Paul Choo, Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Social Responsibility, said, “As a worldwide partner of the Paralympic Movement, diversity and inclusion is ingrained in our company culture, and upheld by our Global CSR commitment, ‘Our Way to Serve’. The pandemic has only heightened our athlete’s resilience as their dreams have only been delayed, not denied. Their unwavering commitment and positive attitude are an inspiration to us all as we navigate these difficult times. We are very proud to be part of their remarkable journey.”
Tandem para cycling requires tremendous synergy between the visually impaired athlete, called the stoker, and the sighted counterpart, who is called the pilot. In the past three years, both Steve and Ang Kee Meng have demonstrated incredible ability to deliver the highest standards of performance. Last year, the pair set national record when they bagged the first-ever medal in history at the 2019 Para Asian Track Championships. Consecutively, they clinched a bronze medal in the Men's 4,000m Individual Pursuit (B) race at the 2020 Para Asian Track Championships despite crashing in the qualifying round. Since journeying on this path, the pair has trained closely with SDSC and SNPC to become local sporting icons in the para cycling field.
For more information, please visit https://www.bridgestone.com/olympics/
About Bridgestone:
Headquartered in Tokyo, Bridgestone Corporation is a global leader providing sustainable mobility and advanced solutions. In Singapore, its regional headquarters Bridgestone Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (BSCAP) oversees the operations of tyre production and sales facilities, and supplies its products to more than 20 countries in the region. BSCAP and its subsidiaries across the region offers a diverse portfolio of original equipment and replacement tyres, tyre-centric solutions and mobility solutions that deliver social value and customer value. Bridgestone is guided by its global corporate social responsibility commitment, Our Way to Serve, and is dedicated to improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.
About Bridgestone Corporation’s Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partnerships:
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, proudly became a Worldwide Olympic Partner in 2014 and a Worldwide Paralympic Partner in 2018. The company has global rights to the Olympic and Paralympic Movements through to 2024, a period that includes the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022 and Paris 2024. Bridgestone activities related to its Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partnerships are guided by a global “Chase Your Dream” message, which intends to inspire people to overcome obstacles and persevere in pursuit of their goals. Additionally, these activities advance the company’s efforts to help create a more inclusive and sustainable society in alignment with its corporate social responsibility commitment, Our Way to Serve. As a worldwide partner, Bridgestone has marketing rights that include its full range of tires, tire services and selected automotive vehicle services, self-propelled bicycles, seismic isolation bearings, and a variety of building and industrial products.
About Team Bridgestone and Team Bridgestone Singapore:
Athletes are the driving force of the Paralympic Games and represent the heart of the Paralympic Movement. They are also Bridgestone customers who put in countless hours on the road, day in and day out, traveling to and from training and competition, no matter the distance or weather conditions. In the lead up to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Bridgestone is proudly supporting athletes who embody the company’s “Chase Your Dream” message and will serve as the face of Bridgestone activities as Team Bridgestone. Team Bridgestone Singapore will represent Bridgestone through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) driven projects leading up to and during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
About Singapore Disability Sports Council:
The Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) is the national sports body for the disabled in Singapore. It is a voluntary organisation registered with the Commissioner of Charities. Sports for the disabled formed the very cornerstone of SDSC’s existence. SDSC’s goal is to promote, through sports, the well-being of the disabled in Singapore, helping them to live full and independent lives. SDSC depends on the kind and generous contributions of corporate sponsors and members of the public to advance its cause.
About Singapore National Paralympic Council:
Established in 2008, the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) is Singapore’s member representative to the International Paralympic Committee and other regional Para sports associations. SNPC focuses on enabling elite Para athletes to participate in major games such as the ASEAN Para Games, the Asian Para Games with its junior equivalent, the Asian Youth Para Games, the Commonwealth Games, and at the apex, Paralympic Games. SNPC believes that Para athletes are more than sporting icons and can inspire beyond the sporting arenas, touching the hearts and minds of individuals throughout society. As part of the mission to strengthen the Paralympic Movement and Paralympic aspirations in Singapore, SNPC works closely with international and local affiliates, national sports organisations and partners to provide sports programmes, expertise and opportunities for competitive development from beginner to elite levels.