Para swimmers Toh Wei Soong and Yip Pin Xiu dominate top prizes, while para lawn bowls achieves first-time honours
The Singapore Disability Sports Awards 2024 concluded with its largest number of awardees celebrated at the gala dinner held at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel on 20 November 2024. 17 individuals, groups and organisations were recognised for their exceptional contributions to disability sports, encompassing both athletic excellence and community development.
Organised annually by the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC), the Awards honoured the achievements and contributions made by outstanding individuals and groups in disability sports from April 2023 to March 2024. This year marked significant milestones, including para lawn bowls securing their first-ever podium spot at a world championship.
Para swimming maintained its dominance, claiming top honours for the third consecutive year. Defending double world champion Yip Pin Xiu was named Sportswoman of the Year for the fifth time, while Asian Para Games multi-medalist Toh Wei Soong earned his third Sportsman of the Year award. Additionally, 17-year-old Janelle Tong was awarded Sportsgirl of the Year after winning four medals at the 2023 ASEAN Para Games and setting three new national records in the S10 category.
World Boccia Youth Champion 2023 Aloysius Gan, together with his mother and competition partner Eve Cher, reclaimed the Sportsboy of the Year title, marking his second win since first receiving the honour in 2021. In 2023, Aloysius achieved podium finishes in three international competitions within three months, securing medals in the World Boccia Youth Championships, ASEAN Para Games, and Poznan Boccia World Challenger. 18-year-old Aloysius, who recently graduated from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore School, is currently a Sports Excellence Scholar (spexScholar).
Para lawn bowlers Khirmern Bin Mohamad and Mawjit Singh s/o Gurmet Singh received the Team of the Year award for their bronze medal performance in the Para Men Pairs event at the 2023 World Bowls Championships. This achievement marked the first time Singapore para lawn bowlers reached the podium at a world championship. The duo, both seasoned athletes who previously represented Singapore in other sports such as para powerlifting and para athletics, exemplify resilience and versatility. Notably, Mawjit Singh had been commended in earlier years at the Singapore Disability Sports Awards for his achievements in para athletics.
The Coach of the Year (High Performance) award was fiercely contested, with 15 exceptional nominees vying for the honour. The accolade ultimately went to para swimming coach Mick Massey, who led Yip Pin Xiu to break the 200m Freestyle S2 world record in May 2023 and successfully defend her two titles at the World Para Swimming Championships 2023. Mick, renowned for coaching Yip and Theresa Goh Rui Si to Paralympic success at Rio 2016, returned to coach Yip in late 2022, playing a pivotal role in her preparation for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Para athletics coach and former national sprinter Muhamad Hosni Bin Muhamad was honoured as Coach of the Year (Developmental) for guiding sprinters Muhammad Ariq and James Ethan Ang to a new 400m T20 national record and two silver medals in the 100m and 400m T13 events at the ASEAN Para Games 2023 respectively.
The Awards also celebrated outstanding contributions to disability sports, extending beyond athletic achievements.
Our Tampines Hub’s Inclusive Sports Festival 2023, organised by People’s Association in collaboration with 11 other organisations, was recognised as Event of the Year. Over eight days, the festival offered workshops, friendly matches, and tryouts for sports such as wheelchair basketball, para badminton, blind football, and para table tennis. The event attracted more than 700 persons with disabilities and 20,000 residents, establishing Our Tampines Hub as a welcoming community space for inclusive sports and physical activity.
Rainbow Centre’s Young Adult Activities! (YAA!) initiative received the Community Changemaker of the Year award. Launched in 2021 to support former Rainbow Centre students who were limited to the boundaries of their home after graduation from school, YAA! engages young adults with moderate to severe disabilities in meaningful sports and physical activities outside their homes to reduce isolation. In 2024, YAA! expanded to include a DIY trekking programme across Singapore’s parks, to promote health and to introduce accessible nature spaces to caregivers and promote family bonding.
The Spirit of Sport (Male) award went to Jason Leong, a former PE teacher who, despite a double leg amputation, continued to champion sports as a way of life. Besides leading outreach and education programmes as part of his work at the ActiveSG Para Sport Academy, Jason also participates actively in sports, such as floorball, swimming and para canoe. He volunteers regularly in the community gyms and physical therapy groups to be a source of support for others on the same journey.
Former national goalball player Joan Hung was honoured with the Spirit of Sport (Female) award. As the captain of Singapore’s first-ever medal-winning team at the ASEAN Para Games, Joan transitioned her leadership skills to coaching, where she now mentors youths with visual impairments to build Singapore’s next national goalball team. Beyond coaching, she is a passionate advocate for sports inclusivity, conducting talks and outreach programmes in schools to inspire understanding. Joan also continues to push her own boundaries by training in blind judo and various martial arts.
Wheelchair Rugby Singapore was awarded the Spirit of Sport (Team) award. Formed in 2015 with the promotion of the ASEAN Para Games in Singapore, the team has since brought individuals with and without disabilities together from all walks of life to foster meaningful connections both on and off the court. The group also actively participates in public events to promote inclusivity through sport.
Nor Rahman Bin Jaafar, a former National Serviceman turned passionate volunteer, was awarded Coach of the Year (Community) for his unwavering dedication to disability sports. Rahman has been instrumental in coaching goalball alongside Joan Hung, while also playing a key role in developing Singapore’s wheelchair rugby team. Beyond his coaching duties, he actively trains volunteers to support these programmes and is currently pursuing a degree in sports management to further enhance his contributions.
This year’s Volunteer of the Year Award recognised not just one outstanding individual but also two exceptional organisations, marking a departure from previous editions where the award was traditionally given to a single recipient. This change reflects the significant and diverse contributions made by all three awardees to the advancement of disability sports.
Soo Kam Tatt, a 70-year-old retiree, was honoured as Volunteer of the Year (Individual) for his dedication and active involvement with the Muscular Dystrophy Association Singapore. Since 2018, he has played a pivotal role in supporting their boccia programmes as both a ramp assistant and volunteer trainer. With patience and commitment, Soo has nurtured players with severe physical impairments, helping them to achieve success in the sport. His contributions prove that age is no barrier to making a meaningful difference.
Apple South Asia Pte Ltd and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Welfare Services Club, shared the honours for Volunteer of the Year (Organisation).
The NTU Welfare Services Club, a student-led group, has consistently mobilised university students over the past six years to sustain regular disability sports programmes. Despite the challenges of transitioning student cohorts and balancing academic, personal, and volunteer commitments, the club has maintained a steadfast commitment to disability sports. The club actively conducts outreach within the university to inspire a culture of empathy and engagement among its student population.
The NTU Welfare Services Club, a student-led group, has consistently mobilised university students over the past six years to sustain regular disability sports programmes. Despite the challenges of transitioning student cohorts and balancing academic, personal, and volunteer commitments, the club has maintained a steadfast commitment to disability sports. The club actively conducts outreach within the university to inspire a culture of empathy and engagement among its student population.
During the event, Minister Edwin Tong, Guest of Honour, unveiled the refreshed Disability Sports Master Plan, which outlines strategic directions to further develop disability sports in Singapore.
The Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) also introduced its Patron, Ms Ho Ching, Chairman of Temasek Trust, whose leadership and dedication to community service align with SDSC’s goals of fostering inclusivity and empowering individuals with disabilities through sports.
The 2024 Awards was proudly presented by Haw Par Corporation, a steadfast supporter of the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) since 2015. Haw Par Corporation has been instrumental in the development of boccia in Singapore, with key donations enabling significant progress in the sport. As part of their ongoing commitment, Haw Par Corporation, which has funded the awards since 2019, presented a generous cheque of $120,000 during the event.
The cheque was presented by Mr Brian Loo, Group General Manager of Haw Par Corporation, to Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, President of SDSC. Joining them on stage were notable figures including Jeralyn Tan, Singapore’s first Boccia Paralympic medalist; Yan Jia Yi, World Boccia Youth Individual bronze medalist; and Mdm Liauw, a silver beneficiary of Allkin Singapore, supported through SDSC’s WeHeartBoccia initiative.
WeHeartBoccia, an outreach programme by SDSC, aims to promote the inclusive sport of boccia, extending its benefits to the broader community beyond persons with disabilities.
“The increasing number of nominees each year highlights the remarkable growth and strong community support for disability sports in Singapore. Together with the announcement of the refreshed Disability Sports Master Plan, we hope that the Awards and the stories of these exceptional individuals and groups can encourage everyone—whether as athletes, volunteers, sponsors, or advocates—to come together and build an even more inclusive and empowering sports environment for all,” shared Ms Kelly Fan, Executive Director of SDSC.
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