Cover Sports can help build confidence, teach perseverance and unite communities (Photo: Getty Images)
Sports can help build confidence, teach perseverance and unite communities (Photo: Getty Images)
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Meet five young leaders who are using sports as a vehicle to empower communities across Asia
From building confidence and discipline in young people to bridging cultural divides, the positive impacts of sports reverberate far beyond the playing field. When everyone has access to participate, sports become a great equaliser, teaching important values such as teamwork, perseverance and healthy competition.
Among the Tatler Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow who hail from 20 categories across various industries, some of these changemakers across Asia have made it their mission to promote sports to a broader group of people. Here are five of them using sports to foster inclusive participation and encourage positive behaviours and change.
Read more: Women’s sports: The challenges that female athletes still have to deal with
Datuk Nicol Ann David
Above After retiring from playing squash professionally, Datuk Nicol Ann David established the Nicol David Organisation to promote the benefits of the sport (Photo: Imran Sulaiman)
After retiring from playing squash professionally, Datuk Nicol Ann David established the Nicol David Organisation to promote the benefits of the sport (Photo: Imran Sulaiman)
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Co-founder, Nicol David Organisation
Datuk Nicol Ann David, who held the title of the world’s number one squash player for nine consecutive years, founded the Nicol David Organisation in June 2022 after retiring from her professional athletic career. The non-profit organisation empowers children from lower and middle-income communities through squash training and English tutoring.
David was also appointed Malaysia’s Deputy Chef De Mission for the Paris 2024 Olympics, leading the country’s contingent at the games.
Read more: What squash’s Olympic debut means for the future of the sport, according to a former world champion
Above Datuk Nicol Ann David at the Tatler Gen.T Summit 2023 on how she developed the mindset of a champion and the important lessons she takes with her
Cheng Ho
Above Cheng Ho introduced Choxue to help Taiwanese students balance academic success with sports excellence
Cheng Ho introduced Choxue to help Taiwanese students balance academic success with sports excellence
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Cheng Ho established Choxue to assist basketball student-athletes in Taiwan who face the dilemma between keeping a remarkable academic record or excelling in sports. Students who join the association must reach a specific score on their exams.
During competitions, the group records the data of their athletic performances and videos to build their sports resume. This is used when they apply for schools and other recruitment opportunities.
Read more: How AI is changing the game for sports
Alicia Lui
Above Alicia Lui is advocating for gender equality in sports, especially for the underprivileged, through Women In Sports Empowered Hong Kong (Photo: Affa Chan)
Alicia Lui is advocating for gender equality in sports, especially for the underprivileged, through Women In Sports Empowered Hong Kong (Photo: Affa Chan)
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Founder, Women In Sports Empowered Hong Kong
Women In Sports Empowered Hong Kong (Wise) is an organisation led by Alicia Lui that champions gender equality in sports, particularly for underprivileged people. The group brings sports programs to schools and offers mentorship initiatives in the workplace. Lui is also a fervent advocate for ultimate frisbee and has authored the inspiring book Sporty Girl Journals to encourage young girls to embrace sports.
Read more: How empowering girls and women through sport and information will benefit the economy
Above Alicia Lui at the Tatler Gen.T Summit 2023 on why the female economy is worth investing in
Miguel Bermundo
Above Miguel Bermundo started Dream Big Pilipinas FA to help children from low-income families improve their lives (Photo: Parallax Studio)
Miguel Bermundo started Dream Big Pilipinas FA to help children from low-income families improve their lives (Photo: Parallax Studio)
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Founder and director, Dream Big Pilipinas FA
Miguel Bermundo established the Dream Big Pilipinas FA programme to provide kids from low-income families with soccer training and education. Besides improving their athletic and language skills, the comprehensive course aims to enable them to transform their own lives and inspire those around them.
Read more: These are the 35 Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow from the Philippines
Qin Yunquan
Above Former national wrestler Qin Yunquan is Kapap Academy’s founder and chief instructor who teaches self-defence skills to thousands of individuals (Photo: Tatler Singapore)
Former national wrestler Qin Yunquan is Kapap Academy’s founder and chief instructor who teaches self-defence skills to thousands of individuals (Photo: Tatler Singapore)
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Qin Yunquan is the first woman in Asia to be certified as a counter-terror shooting instructor by the Israeli Tactical School in the US and to receive a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. As the co-founder of Kapap Academy, she has taught thousands of people practical self-defence, including the deaf, the elderly and the abused. She has been presented the Queen’s Young Leaders Award for her efforts.
See more Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow from Sports.
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Based in Hong Kong, editor Yoyo Chow covers the people and ideas redefining Asia’s future—from cutting-edge innovation and AI to bold moves in sustainability and diversity. She also drives content for Tatler Gen.T in Hong Kong, a platform and community spotlighting the region’s next generation of startup founders, creatives and changemakers.
Before that, she was a video journalist producing content for international TV and digital platforms, including Reuters and South China Morning Post. If you have a powerful story to share, she’s all ears. Send press materials, event invites and any inquiries to yoyo.chow@tatlerasia.com.
