Special education teacher who gave up footballing dream to purse a career as a Physical Education teacher for special needs students

Singapore, Singapore, 4th Apr 2024 - Kumaran was aspiring footballer who wanted to play football as a full time career. While playing in the amateur league in Singapore such as National Football League and Islandwide league during his youth, he was offered a under-23 contract at 20 year old at one of the professional football club in Singapore. However due to National Service call up he couldn't sign the contract. During his national service, he met a special need boy who had passion for sports but didn't have anyone who could teach him sports or a place for him to play sports safety. This inspire kumaran to purse his studies in sports and physical education at Republic Polytechnic. Upon his completion of his national service he was once again offered under-23 professional contract again , which he turn down to continue his studies and purse a career as a physical education teacher while continuing playing in the amateur/semi pro league for the last 13 years. His work with student's have changed the life of many children with disabilities such as physical, intellectual and sensory where he have provided them platforms to compete in sports safely and meet fellow aspiring para athletes. He continues to work with multiple non profit organisations such Singapore disability sports council and various national sports association both as a educators and volunteer coach in providing opportunities for students to excel in sports. In 2023 during the Singapore Disability Sports Award , Kumaran was awarded the People Choice for Community Changemaker of the Year where his work was recognized and appreciated. He also recently turned down the opportunity to be a Vice principal at two different organisations in order to continue impacting special need students as a PE teacher through sports.He hope and dream more people will come forward to volunteer and develop para sports and make Singapore a more inclusive sporting community.