Shock, surprise and disappointment.
Those were the reactions of the sports fraternity to The New Paper’s exclusive report yesterday on national para-athlete Adam Kamis, who was charged on Thursday with one count of procuring an 18-year-old woman for the purpose of prostitution within Singapore.
The offence is alleged to have taken place sometime between late October and early November last year.
Under the law, it is an offence to procure a female for prostitution, and those found guilty can be jailed up to five years and fined up to $10,000.
Adam (left), 36, lost his right arm in a motorcycle accident 12 years ago. His left arm was paralysed. Nicknamed Adam Onearmrunner, he was slated to compete in two athletics events at December’s Asean Para Games (APG) – the T45 400m and long jump events.
But his participation is now in doubt, and APG chef de mission Raja Singh admitted that news of Adam’s troubles would affect Team Singapore’s para-athletes.
“I know some of the athletes, especially those in Adam’s sport or team, considered him a role model,” said Raja, who is also vice-president of the Singapore Disability Sports Council.
“In light of this, some athletes may be surprised or even disappointed; this is a natural reaction.
“As the chef de mission, it is my duty to talk to the athletes and communicate this to them as well as address any concerns they might have.
“I have full confidence that we will be able to work through this together and build a stronger Team Singapore.”
Dr William Tan, a member of Team Singapore’s para track and field team, said the news had hit the tight-knit local community.
“We have great respect for Adam,” said the 58-year-old, who will compete in the 100m, 200m and 400m wheelchair athletics events.
“He is a very passionate athlete and… I hope that he’s going to bounce back from this setback.
“This is very shocking for our very small athletics community, but Adam has our support.”
Able-bodied national sprinter Amirudin Jamal, who won the bronze medal in the 100m at the 2013 SEA Games, also expressed surprise.
“I got to know Adam at the 2010 Commonwealth Games (where they both competed), and he’s a very nice guy, humble and soft-spoken,” said Amirudin.
“When I saw his picture on the front page of The New Paper today, I thought it would be for a good reason. So it’s a shock to learn he could be behind bars.”
When asked if local para-athletes would be rocked by the news, he said: “I think so, especially since he and the Blade Runner (para-athlete Shariff Abdullah) have been working very hard to raise the profile of para-sports in Singapore.
“He’s been an inspiration to quite a few people, and to some, the reason they are participating at the APG, so of course this is going to shake them.
“I just hope it does not rattle them too much, and that they can still do their best at the APG.”
In response to queries, the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) said Adam’s participation in the APG is “under review”, but added that it was unlikely his spot would go to a replacement if he does not compete.
“As with the sports for the APG, each athlete is picked for a specific event based on his or her classification eligibility,” said a spokesman.
“Hence, if the SNPC selection committee chooses to pull Adam out of the Singapore contingent, it is unlikely that we will find a replacement athlete who has the exact same classification eligibility and can compete in the same events as Adam.
“The SNPC selection committee will be reviewing the case in light of the recent news of Adam, and we will carry out the due processes and investigations before making a decision on his future with regard to the APG.”
– Additional reporting by Jesleen Soh
“The SNPC selection committee will be reviewing the case in light of the recent news of Adam, and we will carry out the due processes and investigations before making a decision on his future with regard to the APG.”
— A statement from the Singapore National Paralympic Council saying Adam Kamis’ participation at December’s Asean Para Games is under review
Source: www.tnp.sg
