Deaf Sports Association

What Deaf Sports Association does

Deaf Sports Association (Singapore), founded in 2012 by Loh Eng Meng, is the recognized national body for sports for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in Singapore. The organization operates as a registered charity with Institution of Public Character (IPC) status and is affiliated with the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), Asia Pacific Deaf Sports Confederation, and ASEAN Deaf Sports Federation. Its core products center on the annual National Deaf Games, a multi-sport event featuring Badminton, Bowling, Futsal, Orienteering, Archery, and Karting (first held in March 2015 with 143 participants), a Sports Development Programme that identifies and trains talent for international competition, and a specialized SGDeafSport Bowling Programme that has produced world-class athletes including Adelia Naomi Yokoyama, Singapore's first World Deaf Bowling Champion (2023). In September 2023, the organization launched the Singapore Sign-Language (SgSL) Basic Course, a 10-session public education programme that extends its addressable market beyond sports participants to the broader Singapore public.

The organization is governed by a 10-member volunteer Executive Committee (2021-2023) headed by President Loh Eng Meng and Vice President Jaffa Mohamed Salleh, with no disclosed paid headcount, and is headquartered at 113 Eunos Avenue 3, Singapore. Eligibility for participation is restricted to individuals with hearing loss of at least 55dB per tone average in the better ear, with family members (CODA, PODC, SODAC, SpODA) permitted in open-category events. International milestones include Singapore's first Deaflympics medals in 2017, gold at the 24th Deaflympics 2022 bowling events, and 6 gold plus 2 bronze medals at the inaugural 1st SEA Deaf Games 2022 in Kuala Lumpur.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable channels: corporate sponsorships (notably UOL Group Limited as main Deaflympians sponsor, Micron Foundation for SEA Deaf Games trips, and Singapore Turf Club/Tote Board for fundraising events), individual donations via PayNow QR and the Giving.sg platform (the latter providing tax-deductible receipts), paid annual membership with discounts on National Deaf Games registration, and course fees for the SgSL Basic Course. The organization does not receive direct government funding for sports activities and relies on recurring fundraising events (e.g., Racing Appreciation Night 2018 raised $85,850). Distribution is single-country Singapore-focused via a WordPress website, Facebook, and Instagram, with athlete achievement stories amplified through earned media in Straits Times, Zaobao, Yahoo News, and TheHomeGround Asia.

Name

Deaf Sports Association

Legal name

Deaf Sports Association (Singapore)

Website

https://dsa.org.sg

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Deaf Sports Association (Singapore) is a registered charity founded in 2012 and recognized by ICSD as the national body for deaf and hard-of-hearing sports in Singapore. It organizes the annual National Deaf Games, runs sports development programmes, and offers Singapore Sign-Language courses for the public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Sports & Disability Services

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Spectator Sports (71121), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability & Adaptive Sport Governing Bodies (Paralympic & Sport-Specific) (MPAKAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH), Adaptive & Para-Sport Event Organizers (MPAKADAM)

Keywords

• Deaf sports programs
• Adaptive athletics
• Community sports events
• Sign language education
• Disability sports federation

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a registered charity and Institution of Public Character (IPC) in Singapore, DSA receives donations from individuals and organizations. Donations can be made via PayNow QR code or through Giving.sg platform. Donors can claim tax relief on qualifying donations.
2. Membership Fees: Paid membership program for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who want to join DSA sports development programmes. Members receive discounts on National Deaf Games registration fees.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors such as UOL Group Limited provide monetary awards to athletes and sponsor overseas competition trips. Micron Foundation sponsors competition trips.
4. Fundraising Events: Organizes fundraising initiatives such as the Racing Appreciation Night 2018 which raised $85,850 including Tote Board grant support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Deaf Sports Association (Singapore) is a registered charity that serves as the national body for sports for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in Singapore. It organizes the annual National Deaf Games across multiple sports (badminton, bowling, futsal, orienteering, archery, karting), runs a Sports Development Programme with professional coaching to identify and prepare athletes for international competitions such as the Deaflympics and SEA Deaf Games, and offers a Singapore Sign-Language (SgSL) Basic Course for public education. The organization relies on memberships, donations, and corporate sponsorships to fund its activities.

Product overview

Deaf Sports Association (Singapore) operates as a registered charity serving as the national body for sports for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The organization offers a portfolio of products and services centered on the National Deaf Games (annual multi-sport event featuring Badminton, Bowling, Futsal, Karting, Orienteering, and Archery), a Singapore Sign-Language Basic Course for public education, and a Sports Development Programme with specialized coaching for athletes. The SGDeafSport Bowling Programme has produced internationally competitive athletes. Additional offerings include membership programs with fee discounts and PayNow-based donation capabilities for charitable contributions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National Deaf Games Annual multi-sport event platform providing deaf community members with opportunities to compete in sports including Badminton, Bowling, Futsal, Karting, Orienteering, and Archery. Promotes healthy lifestyle, character building, and social integration.
• Singapore Sign-Language (SgSL) Basic Course A 10-session sign language course designed to make learning SgSL accessible to the public, enhancing communication with the deaf community and fostering inclusivity.
• Sports Development Programme

Quantifiable outcome

• Singapore placed 30th in overall medal tally at Deaflympics 2017 out of 97 countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal governing body for deaf sports. DSA is the recognized National Deaf Sports Federation for Singapore. ICSD organizes Deaflympics and World Deaf Championships. Only deaf people are eligible to serve on ICSD board and executive bodies. ICSD motto is 'Equal through sports'.
• Asia Pacific Deaf Sports Confederation (APDSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional confederation for Asia-Pacific region. Formed during the 3rd Asia Pacific Deaf Soccer Championships in Melbourne. Organizes Asia Pacific Games for the Deaf equivalent to Asian Games.
• ASEAN Deaf Sports Federation (ADSF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizes SEA Deaf Games (formerly ASEAN Deaf Games) for ASEAN countries. Singapore participated in inaugural SEA Deaf Games 2022 in Kuala Lumpur with athletes in athletics, badminton, bowling and futsal.
• Singapore Disability Sports CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment-affiliated body for disability sports in Singapore. Participated in Flag Presentation Ceremony for Singapore's Deaflympics team.
• National Deaf GamescoreOthersAnnual national multi-sport event organized by DSA. First held in March 2015. Provides deaf community members with opportunities to compete in sports. 7th National Deaf Games held in 2023 with sports including badminton, bowling, futsal, and orienteering.
• Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY)majorOthersGovernment ministry supporting deaf sports. Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua has attended Flag Presentation Ceremony and welcome home parties for Deaflympians.
• International Olympic Committee (IOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIOC has recognized ICSD since 1955 and granted patronage to Deaflympics since 1985. MoU signed with ICSD on March 8, 2016 at IOC headquarters in Lausanne following Olympic Agenda 2020 Recommendation 7.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF): National federation for deaf sports in the United States and ICSD member. Directly comparable as a country-level national deaf sports governing body that selects and supports athletes for Deaflympics and organizes national competitions.
• Korean Deaf Sports Association: National deaf sports federation in South Korea, ICSD member. Comparable mission of developing deaf athletes, organizing national competitions and fielding teams for Deaflympics and Asia Pacific events.
• Deutscher Gehörlosen-Sportverband (DGS): German Deaf Sports Federation, one of the largest ICSD national members globally. Directly comparable national-level body organizing deaf sports development programs, national championships and Deaflympics athlete selection.
• Japan Deaf Sports Association: National deaf sports federation for Japan, ICSD member. Comparable role in organizing national deaf games, talent development and selection for international deaf sports competitions in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Australian Deaf Sports Federation: National deaf sports body in Australia and ICSD member. Directly comparable function of organizing national deaf games, athlete development and representation in Deaflympics and Asia Pacific Deaf Games.

Others

• Singapore National Paralympic Council: National Paralympic body in Singapore affiliated with the broader Paralympic Movement. Adjacent ecosystem peer operating in the same disability-sports space in Singapore, coordinating athlete pathways and international representation.

Broad incumbents

• Singapore Disability Sports Council: Government-affiliated Singapore umbrella body for disability sports, which has participated alongside DSA in Flag Presentation Ceremonies. Comparable as the broader domestic disability-sports counterpart that also serves deaf athletes and competes for the same sponsorships and government support.
• Special Olympics Singapore: Singapore chapter of Special Olympics, providing year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Comparable as a Singapore-based registered charity delivering organized competitive sports opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Regional players

• Malaysian Deaf Sports Association: National deaf sports federation for Malaysia, host of the inaugural 1st SEA Deaf Games 2022 in Kuala Lumpur. Comparable regional peer at the same competitive tier within ASEAN Deaf Sports Federation events.
• Hong Kong Sports Association of the Deaf: Hong Kong's national deaf sports body and fellow Asia-Pacific regional deaf sports federation. Comparable regional peer that competes alongside DSA at Asia Pacific Deaf Games and SEA Deaf Games.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DSAS.sg
• Instagraminstagram.com/dsas.sg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deafsports-sg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Deaf Sports Association