Fifteen Individuals Honoured at 2025 Goh Chok Tong Enable Awards

Fifteen individuals with disabilities were celebrated at the 2025 Goh Chok Tong Enable Awards (GCTEA) on November 21 in Singapore. The ceremony took place at Pan Pacific Singapore and was attended by notable figures including President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development and Law Eric Chua. Established in 2019, the GCTEA is a prominent initiative of the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund (GCTEF), designed to provide financial assistance and support to help people with disabilities lead integrated lives in society.

The awards are divided into two categories: the GCTEA (Achievement) category, which honours individuals who have made significant accomplishments in their fields, and the GCTEA (Promise) category, recognising awardees for their potential and commitment to community service. The community fund is managed by SG Enable and has the backing of Mediacorp.

Acknowledging Significant Achievements

Among the recipients of the GCTEA (Achievement) awards were four distinguished individuals, each receiving S$10,000 (approximately US$7,642). Notably, Paralympians Toh Wei Soong and Jovin Tan Wei Qiang were recognised for their achievements. Mr Toh, a two-time Paralympian, has earned medals at various international competitions, including the Asian Para Games and Commonwealth Games. Despite living with transverse myelitis, he actively raises awareness about disability through his creative projects, including a collaboration with Mediacorp on the Chinese drama “Hope Afloat.”

Mr Tan, who has cerebral palsy, made history as Singapore’s first parasailing gold medallist at the 2014 Asian Para Games and has since transitioned to competitive Boccia. He dedicates his weekends to mentoring young para-athletes through the Singapore Disability Sport Council’s “Learn to Sail” programme at Changi Sailing Club.

Also honoured in this category was Kua Cheng Hock, a visually impaired entrepreneur focused on assistive technology. He has made significant contributions to the visually impaired community by introducing guide dogs in Singapore and establishing the Guide Dogs Association. Additionally, he developed a voting plan that allows visually impaired Singaporeans to vote privately at polling stations since 2011. Mr Kua is in the process of founding a new initiative to enhance educational and training opportunities for visually impaired individuals.

The final awardee in the Achievement category was Yap Qian Yin. At 35, she has overcome paralysis due to complications from childhood leukaemia and has won multiple gold medals at the Asian and ASEAN Para Games. She currently serves as Assistant Honorary Treasurer and Chair of the Fundraising Subcommittee for the Disabled People’s Association.

Promising Future for Emerging Talents

The GCTEA (Promise) category recognised eleven individuals who demonstrated exceptional potential. One of the recipients, Nur Aini Mohamad Yasli, made history as Singapore’s first female para-powerlifter at the 2017 ASEAN Para Games, just two months after beginning formal training. A sports and health educator, she supports community initiatives such as PlayBuddy, an adaptive sports play group for children with physical disabilities.

Another awardee, Sherry Toh Yee Teng, discovered her passion for video games after being diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type II at the age of 13. She has since become a game writer and advocates for systemic changes for individuals with disabilities in Singapore, receiving the Singapore Health Inspirational Patient and Caregiver Award in 2025.

Also recognised was Arassi Maria Rajkumar, a 32-year-old dancer who co-founded the Diverse Abilities Dance Collective in 2018. She began her dance journey at the Down Syndrome Association and has since performed at international events, including co-facilitating a Bharatanatyam workshop at the World Down Syndrome Congress in Brisbane in 2024.

Other awardees in the Promise category include Amanda Chan Si Qi, a quality assurance analyst at Deutsche Bank; Johnson Chia Rong Xi, an accounts and finance manager at Avon Group; and Victoria Liew Yi Xuan, a Master of Architecture graduate from the National University of Singapore. Retail associates Johannes Cheong Hui Ming and Florence Hui Xuan Lin, as well as digital accessibility lead Patricia Gerardine Tomnob Merilo, musician Lydia Tay Wan Ching, and programme coordinator Jade Ow Yanhui from National Gallery Singapore, were also honoured.

Chairman of the GCTEA Evaluation Panel, Michael Ngu, expressed pride in the achievements of this year’s recipients, stating, “Each of today’s awardees exemplifies exceptional resilience and achievement in fostering inclusivity.” Ngu, who is also a board member of SG Enable and a GCTEA 2019 achievement awardee, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and recognizing excellence in the future.

SG Enable CEO Lee May Gee commended the courage and determination of the awardees, highlighting that their accomplishments serve as a reminder that recognising and supporting the abilities of every individual strengthens and unites society.