Two-day community carnival and the Inaugural ANTICA Singapore International Challenge 2026 bring together people of different ages, backgrounds and abilities
SINGAPORE, Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Antica Community Development and Services Limited (ACDS), a registered charity, successfully concluded OneSG61 with Antica, its 2026 National Day community celebration, at Perennial Business City.
Held on 22 and 23 August, the two-day inclusive carnival brought together families, seniors, youths, adults with intellectual disabilities, former offenders and members of the public through interactive activities, performances and community engagement initiatives.
The celebration drew approximately 5,000 attendees across both days. Visitors enjoyed family-friendly carnival rides, games, food offerings, community engagement booths, partner showcases, live stage programming, busking and lion dance performances.
Left to right: Dr Maliki Osman, Mr Andre Tanoto, Minister Edwin Tong, Mr Dixon Lim at the official inauguration of Antica Community Development & Services (ACDS), representing our four impact groups.
Community organisations supporting ACDS’s four impact groups – seniors, youths, former offenders and adults with intellectual disabilities – contributed to the event. These included Ultimate Friends, a support group focused on drug rehabilitation and community reintegration, as well as organisations providing services in areas such as active ageing, disability inclusion, health, technology and community wellbeing.
The visual identity and creative assets for both the carnival and the international badminton tournament were developed in collaboration with artists from MINDS. The partnership provided artists with intellectual disabilities with a professional platform to contribute to a large-scale public event while showcasing their creativity and talent to the wider community.
Mobilising private-sector support for youth development
Held from 18 to 23 August at the WYSE Active Badminton Hall within Perennial Business City, the ANTICA Singapore International Challenge 2026 served as the sporting pillar of the wider celebration.
Organised by YBadminton and the Singapore Badminton Association and sanctioned by Badminton Asia (BA) and the Badminton World Federation (BWF), with ACDS as title sponsor and community impact partner, the international regional tournament brought together young elite players from all over the world across Asia and provided local athletes with opportunities to compete in the same under international-level court arena standards and tournament processes. Many winners of past International Challenge tournaments have progressed to be World and Olympic Champions.
This inaugural year’s tournament by ACDS featured its largest local contingent to date, with more than 50 young Singaporean elite players pitting their skills and gaining valuable regional and international competition experience on home ground. The opportunity allowed emerging players to test themselves against stronger opponents, build confidence and better prepare for the international sporting scene.
The tournament also featured an Instant Review System (IRS) player challenge system, similar in concept to VAR, which allowed contested line calls to be reviewed. Two of the four competition courts will have this feature – a first in any BA and BWF sanctioned tournaments! Beyond supporting fair competition, the system exposed local players to the technology, officiating processes and standards used at higher-level international tournaments.
The GENK Capital Age Group Series 2026, a separate local community tournament, provided younger players with opportunities to compete and develop their skills. This tournament also attracts many young players from the region. Together, GENK and the ANTICA Singapore International Challenge created a visible pathway from local age-group participation to international competition, inspiring young athletes to continue developing and work towards competing at a higher level.
Left to right: Indonesian Olympic Gold Medallist Hendra Setiawan, Minister Edwin Tong, Service Judge Amit Das, Umpire Li Liyi, CEO of PT Djarum Mr Victor Hartono, and Singapore Olympian Terry Hee on court ahead of the VIP exhibition match.
A VIP Invitational Tournament also featured 16 corporate leaders from MSIG, Bubbles House, Savoria, Tsao Pao Chee, WTS Travels, and ACDS, alongside diplomatic representatives from Malaysia and Indonesia.
Mr. Andre Tanoto, Chairman of ACDS shared that “Philanthropy should go beyond supporting a single event. It should open doors and build pathways that help young people develop their abilities, confidence and aspirations,” said Mr. Tanoto. “When private-sector enterprises contribute their resources, expertise and networks to community sport, they can create a meaningful and lasting investment in our youths and the wider community.”
Through this initiative, ACDS hopes to encourage more private-sector enterprises to view their involvement in sport as an investment in long-term youth development rather than a one-off sponsorship. Such partnerships can widen access to competitive opportunities and inspire more young athletes to pursue their sporting aspirations.
Celebrating sporting excellence alongside inclusion
ACDS incorporated inclusive sporting and community engagement opportunities into the competition as part of its commitment to creating accessible spaces for people of different abilities.
A total of 16 teams composed of athletes from Special Olympics Singapore and Team ABC participated in inclusive badminton showcases, demonstrating how mainstream and inclusive sporting spaces can coexist. Team ABC is a ground up initiative started by caregivers to create regular and meaningful sporting opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities, including adults with autism. Supported by ACDS, the initiative provides-supported badminton initiative for adults with intellectual disabilities that uses regular training and competition to foster confidence, teamwork, social connection and a sense of belonging.
The play inclusive segment brought athletes, volunteers, caregivers and members of the wider badminton community together on the same platform. It reflected the role that major sporting events can play in strengthening community engagement beyond competition.
“For ACDS, sports is not only about winning. It creates common ground for people of different ages, abilities and backgrounds to participate, grow and be recognised. Through this event, we hope to demonstrate how sporting excellence can be celebrated alongside inclusion and community. By bringing international athletes, emerging youth players and persons of different abilities together, sport becomes a powerful platform for unity, aspiration and belonging and Singapore is poised to be a trail blazer in advancing this integrated sporting event.” said Dr Maliki.
Minister Edwin Tong (left), on court alongside Indonesian Olympic Gold Medallist Hendra Setiawan (right) during the VIP exhibition match.
Guest of Honour Minister Edwin Tong also participated in an exhibition badminton match during the finals on 23 August. He teamed up with an Indonesian Olympic Gold Medallist Hendra Setiawan to compete against Victor Hartono and Singaporean player Terry Hee.
Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, President of ACDS, was present alongside community leaders, grassroots representatives and public-sector partners.
Representatives from the diplomatic missions of Malaysia and Indonesia were also present to participate in the VIP Invitational Tournament. Their presence, reflecting the regional ties and shared sporting connections represented by the international tournament.
The event weekend was organised by ACDS alongside community, corporate and government partners. By bringing a National Day community carnival together with an international sporting competition, the weekend demonstrated how community participation, youth aspirations, inclusive play and sporting excellence can reinforce one another.
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About Antica Community Development and Services Limited
Antica Community Development and Services Limited (ACDS) is a Singapore-registered charity committed to empowering lives and bridging communities. ACDS develops and delivers programmes supporting seniors, youths, former offenders and adults with intellectual disabilities through community engagement, inclusive sports, technology and cross-sector partnerships. Its initiatives aim to create accessible opportunities that promote confidence, wellbeing, social connection and a stronger sense of belonging across the community.
Website: https://antica.sg
About Special Olympics Singapore
Special Olympics Singapore (SOSG) is a registered voluntary welfare organization and member of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC). As part of a global movement, SOSG provides year-round sports training and competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Supporting over 1,500 athletes and 2,000 volunteers, the organization promotes physical fitness, joy, and inclusion within the community.
About Team ABC
Team ABC is an inclusive badminton initiative supported by Antica Community Development and Services Limited (ACDS) for adults with intellectual disabilities, including adults with autism. Team ABC is also a recipient of funding under the SG Partnership Fund – Seed Tier. Through regular training, volunteer support and participation in inclusive competitions and community events, Team ABC helps its athletes develop sporting skills, confidence, teamwork and social connections. The initiative also brings athletes, caregivers, volunteers and community partners together to promote greater inclusion and belonging through sport.
