Singapore Disability Sports Awards 2021: Yip Pin Xiu wins Sportswoman of the Year

Para swimmer Yip Pin Xiu was awarded the Sportswomen of the Year at the Singapore Disability Sports Awards (SDSA) 2021 on Thursday Aug 5. 

The former Nominated Member of Parliament beat out competition from para powerlifter Nur ‘Aini Binte Mohamad Yasli and boccia player Nurulasyiqah Mohammad Taha. She regains the title, having lost out on it to para archer Nur Syahidah Alim last year. 

The ceremony, held over Zoom, commereated the achievements and contributions made by the members of the disability sports community. 

Para cyclist Steve Tee Wee Leong and athlete competition partner Ang Kee Meng took the Sportsman of the Year award, ahead of tenpin bowling’s Alphonsus Louis Wong, para powerlifter Kalai Vanen and para shuttler Tay Wei Ming. 

Boccia player Faye Lim and her athlete competition partner Lim Boon Ghee were named the Sportsgirl of the Year winner, ahead of para swimmer Danielle Moi, while Boccia player Aloysius Gan and his athlete competition partner Gan Keng Aik were awarded Sportsboy of the Year. 

Swimming’s Mark Chay was named high performance Coach of the Year, while Goalball’s Hansen Bay was named the developmental Coach of the Year. 

The Women’s Goalball Team,  comprising Norliana Bte Mohamed Ajam, Inez Hung Humin, Joan Hung Huixin and Christina Aw Peiwen, won Team of the Year. 

The criteria for this year’s awards were not only limited to sports performance as there was a lack of international and local competitions due to the Pandemic. As such, Paralympic values such as courage, determination, inspiration and equality were taken into consideration, with SDSA 2021 presented as a special Resilience edition. 

Community Impact Awards were also handed out to para powerlifter Nigel Goh (Volunteering) and Goalball Singapore (Events Initiatives) for the work they did within the Singapore disability sports community. 

The event was graced by Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Alvin Tan. 

As part of SDSA 2021, the Singapore Disability Sports Council also hosted the SDSA Digital Raffle 2021 to encourage members of the public to donate to Project Resilience, Tote Board’s Enchanced Fundraising Programme. SDSA matched the donations dollar-for-dollar.