Social and Behavioural Sciences (SS) alumna YEUNG Hiu-lam, also an athlete in the Hong Kong boccia squad, clinched one silver and one bronze medal in the 2018 Asian Para Games in Indonesia.

On winning a silver medal as a team in the Mixed Team BC1/BC2 category and a bronze medal in the Mixed Individual BC2 category, Hiu-lam expressed heartfelt thanks to her supporters. “When I was receiving the award on the podium, my mind went blank until I realised I was holding the medal in my hand. The experience is incredibly surreal. I started to regain my focus, and took the opportunity to thank all my supporters, especially my mother, who was very proud of my achievements,” said the young boccia player.

Photo 2: Hiu-lam (front row, right) and other athletes were on the podium to receive the medals.

Hiu-lam shared her secrets to success – learning from the past. “I lost matches to the Mainland China team twice. However, I believe in myself that I can do better and make improvements.” Apart from her positive mentality, she also shared the importance of working hard. “In order to get well prepared before the Games, I attended five training sessions a week, which required me to do a lot of repeated actions and movements. The training was intensive yet rewarding. To support mental wellness, our team maintains effective communication and strong team spirit. Whenever our team is about to lose in a competition, we will cheer loudly to show our spiritual support to one another, and this helps boost our morale.”

Majoring in social work, Hiu-lam passed on her professional boccia-playing skills to the elderly during her fieldwork practicum. She then worked as a part-time instructor in an elderly day care centre. She is now focusing on boccia training in preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.