LAM Wai

Championing Inclusion: The Journey from the Classroom to the Special Olympics

Teachers are entrusted with the crucial responsibility of educating young minds. Beyond that, they must also foster the holistic development of their students. Mr LAM Wai, who graduated from Lingnan University in 2013 with a Master's degree in Human Resource Management and Organizational Behaviour, is currently the Physical Education Subject Panel and Extra-curricular Activities Coordinator at Holy Cross Lutheran School. Outside the classroom, he serves as the Headquarters Commissioner (Cub Scouts) of the Scout Association of Hong Kong. He is dedicated to promoting the spirit of inclusion through his active participation in the Special Olympics Hong Kong by becoming a Unified partner. Two years ago, Mr LAM partnered with an athlete with intellectual disabilities to compete in the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, where they won the gold medal in the men's unified doubles event of badminton for Hong Kong, China. This achievement holds great significance for both him and his partner. He hopes to extend his efforts in education by sharing his experiences with the Special Olympics, conveying messages of inclusion and nurturing the next generation.

Scouting Enlightenment: The Starting Point of the Sports Journey
Mr LAM's passion for sports, originated from the influence of Scouting. He recalls that his journey in sports began in the primary three when he joined the Scouts. "At that time, I saw the scouts having their sleeves adorned with numerous badges they earned and found it very stylish. Later on, I learned that after completing a training course, we could earn a badge for the activity, such as the 'Book Reader Activity Badge' for reading, the ‘Musician Activity Badge' for music, or the 'Water Activities Badge' for activities like orienteering, hiking, kayaking and windsurfing.  This motivated me to learn multiple skills and sports."

Over the past twenty years, Scouting has not only equipped Mr LAM with various sports skills but also enriched his life perspective. He reminisces about his experience applying for an American summer camp internship while studying Physical Education in his Bachelor Degree. It was his extensive array of Scouting skills, such as fire-making, hiking, camping and sports like football and tennis, that made him stand out. "I always believed that accumulating enough skills and experience can create more opportunities for yourself." The experiences in Scouting have taught him the importance of skill acquisition and laid a solid foundation for his career development.

Accumulate Multiple Sports Skills and Develop into a Professional Continuously
Mr LAM is a "sports expert". Starting from his secondary school days, he engaged in football, tennis and squash. Not only is he a former member of Hong Kong's floorball team and rouliqiu team, he also serves as a coach for orienteering, hiking, kin-ball and Mölkky. Mr LAM chose to pursue sports-related bachelor programme due to his passion for sports, enrolling in the Physical Education program at Hong Kong Baptist University. He continued his education by completing a Master's degree in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour at Lingnan University. This further education equipped him to handle both extra-curricular activities coordinating  responsibilities at school and administrative tasks at the Scout Association.

During his time at Lingnan, he was the captain of the tennis team and joined the squash team, actively participating in inter-collegiate competitions. He even formed a team to compete in league tournaments organized by the association. From organizing team rosters and designing uniforms to arranging meals, the team handled everything by themselves. He also mentioned that he travelled to Taiwan for training, where he assisted the coach in planning the training itinerary. This experience gave him a deeper understanding of sports event coordination and management. "It benefited me in my role Physical Education Subject Panel. Whether it's managing a sports team or handling departmental affairs, I can now do so with greater ease."
 
Becoming a Unified Partner: An Unforgettable Victory at the Special Olympics
Mr LAM's journey in special needs services began during his university internship. In 2024, he was honoured for his outstanding contributions as a Scout leader under the "Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Commendation Scheme," specifically recognizing his role in the development of youth uniformed groups. During the pandemic, Mr LAM actively gathered Scout leaders to collectively procure, package and distribute anti-pandemic supplies to support the elderly, low-income families and individuals with disabilities in the community. This commendation not only recognized his dedication to social service but also encouraged the front-line volunteer leaders.

At the award ceremony, he had a chance encounter with the President of the Special Olympics Hong Kong, Dr. Lam Ho Yi, which led him to learn about the role of a "Unified Partner". He subsequently applied to join the Unified Partner Program and was invited to participate in friendly matches with Special Olympics athletes. During these matches, coaches observed his interactions with the athletes to evaluate their compatibility as partners. Mr Lam shared some insights about communicating with these athletes: "We need to be brief and clear on communication such as using simple keywords for tactical instructions. Before a doubles match, it's crucial to discuss strategies, such as who will cover the front court, back court; who will block and who will defend."

After a year of training, Mr LAM was successfully selected as a Unified Partner, teaming up with intellectually disabled badminton player Mr CHAN Chin Chung to represent Hong Kong in the men's unified doubles event. They ultimately clinched the gold medal! Mr LAM recalled the intense final match against Paraguay, where they faced fierce competition. After losing the first set, they made a comeback in the second set during "crunch time" and managed to level the score. In the decisive set, they were trailing 14-20 at one point. "I wasn't playing well and thought we would lose when I saw the score gap. But Chin Chung, with his consistent performance, managed to chase down 6 points and completed a remarkable comeback during 'crunch time', securing the victory." He firmly stated, "This gold medal was won thanks to Chin Chung's leadership. His desire for victory and resilient spirit taught me an invaluable lesson."

Reflecting on his experience in the program, Mr LAM admitted that while the year was busy, it was immensely fulfilling. He committed to attending training sessions every week, no matter how tight his work schedule was, dedicating at least 2 hours to practice with his partner. Building rapport with a partner is especially crucial in doubles matches. After completing training, he often returned to school to continue working late into the night. Despite the challenges, witnessing the growth of Special Olympics athletes in training and competition made his year-long commitment incredibly worthwhile.

Compassion at the Core: Advocating for Special Needs Care in Society
Mr LAM believes that participating in the Special Olympics has been an incredibly valuable experience. From assisting athletes with their training to taking care of them, he has learned many practical skills that he applies in his daily educational work. He states that the Special Olympics is not just a sport event, but a rare opportunity for athletes to broaden their horizons and boost their confidence. "These athletes might be studying courses at Vocational Training Council or working in the service industry, but by competing, they have the chance to win and stand on the highest podium. This honour significantly enhances their self-confidence."

Mr LAM upholds the belief that "no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." He reminds himself and others to show more care and respect for individuals with special needs. He points out that these individuals generally have lower self-confidence and require more support and encouragement. He believes that playing sports or connecting with them might seem insignificant but holds great meaning for them. "You might think playing a game with a Special Olympics athlete is a small gesture, but for them, it brings joy and boosts their confidence."

Moreover, he actively shares his experiences with his students, spreading messages of inclusion. "Someone might bump into you on the street or suddenly shout out loud, and you might think they're being rude. But they might just have special needs. Instead of giving them a disapproving look or saying something unpleasant, why not show some concern and see if they need help? This attitude can diffuse the situation and make them feel respected." He hopes that society will become more inclusive.

Encouraging Young People to Participate in Volunteer Services
Lastly, Mr LAM encourages young Lingnanians to get involved in volunteer services and suggests starting with their interests to ensure long-term commitment. "It's better to begin with something you are passionate about; otherwise, it's hard to maintain enthusiasm." He shares how his interest led him to participate in the Special Olympics: "I enjoy playing ball games, and the Unified Partner Program at the Special Olympics was recruiting badminton and tennis partners, so I applied for this meaningful program. Students can also start by becoming coaches or instructors, teaching others what they excel at."

Mr Lam truly embodies our motto, “Education for Service”, in both his work and life. Let’s hope this spirit is passed on to future generations, allowing this goodwill to continue making a positive impact on society.