At 18, Sng Lee Ying Jocelyn is a leader whose presence brightens the bowling alley. Her laughter bounces off the lanes, and her quiet confidence lifts her teammates. Just a few years ago, Jocelyn would have been easy to miss. Shy and soft-spoken, she preferred to stay in the background during training sessions, avoiding attention and new faces.
Everything changed in 2022. That year, Jocelyn was selected to compete in the Special Olympics Singapore (SOSG) National Bowling Competition, a moment she now sees as a turning point. “Compared to previously, I was shy and scared,” she reflected. “Now I am more confident and mature than before.” On the lanes, she found not only a sport she loved but a space where she could be herself without judgment, replacing fear with something new: belief.
Coaches began to notice it too. “Before the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, she was a very quiet and timid girl,” said Derrick Sim, Jocelyn’s coach. “But after the World Games, she slowly opened up, becoming more vocal, taking on important roles like being a leader in her bowling team, and even stepping up as my assistant coach.”
Her strong performance earned her the chance to represent Singapore at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin in 2023, her first time competing internationally, and her first time on a plane. The idea of flying made her anxious, but she trusted herself, and when the plane safely landed, she realized she had already conquered one of her biggest fears. “When I was selected to represent Singapore in the World Games 2023, I realized I had found my voice being the youngest athlete there,” she recalled. On that trip, she bowled with fierce determination and brought home her very first gold medal.
Her podium smile told the story: this was more than a win. It was the culmination of years of internal growth, support from her coaches, friendships with teammates, and the courage to step into the unknown.
Now, Jocelyn is paying that support forward. She regularly helps lead the Learn to Bowl programme, where young athletes come to discover the joy and challenge of the sport. “Everyone deserves a chance to show their talent,” she said. “Inclusion is always important to me, and it makes me happy to see other athletes shine.”
Her coaches agree. “She ensures the discipline and behavior of her fellow bowlers and is always extending a helping hand,” said Sim. “She shares her experiences and guides younger athletes as a coaching assistant. Her journey shows how Special Olympics doesn’t just nurture athletes, it nurtures leaders.”
Jocelyn’s message to others who might feel shy or unsure: “Be bold, be daring to dream big. Don’t let anything stop you from achieving your dreams. You can do it, believe in yourself.”
Through her growth, her leadership, and now her mentorship, Jocelyn shines as proof of what is possible when someone is encouraged to discover their inner strength. She's no longer bowling just for herself — she’s paving the way for others to dream big and believe in themselves.
