RP lecturer and para-athlete Aini Yasli wins Goh Chok Tong Enable Awards

Photo credits: Goh Chok Tong Enabling Fund Office

"Whenever I share my experiences as a para-athlete, I'm surprised that students will be highly engaged and ask many thoughtful questions," reflects SSH lecturer Aini Yasli. "I realised that students are actually curious about para sports and people living with disabilities, but often hesitate to ask due to fear of offending someone. That's when I saw the importance of creating a safe space where such learning can happen openly and meaningfully."

As Singapore's first Paralympic powerlifter, Aini represented the nation at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, finishing sixth. She also claimed bronze at the Fazza Dubai 2021 Para Powerlifting World Cup and secured two bronze medals at the 2023 ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia.

Her impact extends far beyond the competition platform. Now teaching Inclusive Physical Activity and Sports Policies modules at RP, Aini continues to weave her lived experiences into the classroom. During her previous semester teaching sociology, she shared the gender stereotypes she faced as a female athlete in male-dominated powerlifting, creating powerful moments where students opened up about their own encounters and recognised that understanding bias is the first step toward challenging it.

Beyond the classroom, Aini is also a logistics volunteer with PlayBuddy, an adaptive sports playgroup for children with disabilities, and as a Clean Sport Educator, empowering athletes to compete with integrity.

Aini was recently honoured with the Goh Chok Tong Enable Awards 2025 Promise Award. Her unwavering dedication to personal growth, collaborative spirit and genuine desire to make a difference continue to inspire both her students and the RP community.