HO Yuen-kei
Ms HO Yuen-kei
Honorary University Fellow (2025)
In this ever-changing world, one person shines as a radiant testament to the power of human potential to turn barriers into bridges, connecting people and uniting them into a positive force for a better future. She is a champion who has won two Paralympic gold medals, a proud HKBU alumna, and an empathetic charity founder—one who defies physical barriers and exceeds boundaries to ignite meaningful changes. Her journey, marked by athletic feats and transformative social impact, has re-defined what is possible for Hong Kong’s disabled community. Through her resilience, courage and compassion, she has illuminated an empowering path forward for all who dare to dream beyond limitations. She is Ms Ho Yuen-kei.
Since her childhood, Ms Ho has lived with spinal muscular atrophy, a condition that confines her mobility and requires her to be dependent on a wheelchair. Yet, despite these physical constraints, she found her niche in her chosen arena — boccia, a sport that demands technical precision, strategic thinking, and mental fortitude. In 2008, she was recruited into the Boccia Team of Hong Kong, China, at a young age, and has since constantly re-written records and gone beyond her limits. In 2021, she ascended to the no. 1 position in the Individual BC3 classification in the World Boccia Rankings. Her series of achievements over the years include multiple medals at the Asian Para Games, World Boccia Cup events, and the World Boccia Challenger. The crowning moment of her athletic career came at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where she clinched two gold medals. Her natural talent, indomitable strength, and mastery of the sports through years of hard work and sacrifice have made her one of Hong Kong’s most beloved sports figures and a globally renowned boccia player. She was also awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in July this year.
Nonetheless, to view Ms Ho simply through the lens of her athletic achievements and medal collection would be to miss the depth and extent of her impact. She has never ceased to inspire impactful social transformations. The Chief Executive’s Commendation for Community Service she received in 2019 acknowledges her efforts in serving Hong Kong society. Recognised as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons by the Junior Chamber International Hong Kong, China in 2023, she has become a leading young advocate for social inclusion.
One of Ms Ho’s most recent contributions has been the establishment of the charity “Love Inclusion Charity Association” (Love Inclusion). Hand in hand with her co-founder and husband Mr Jet Lee, Ms Ho is dedicated to promoting inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunities through this non-profit entity. Her aim is to bring about social progress through creating a space and a platform where all individuals, regardless of physical ability, can engage in dialogues to foster mutual understanding, and work together for the greater benefit of society overall.
To make this vision come true, Love Inclusion has launched a variety of programmes and initiatives to provide an avenue for volunteers and interested citizens to equip themselves with the necessary skills. Love Inclusion reflects Ms Ho’s aspiration for more people in Hong Kong to offer themselves in the service of others.
The foundation of Ms Ho’s life philosophy is that every individual, irrespective of their ability or background, has a unique role to play and the capacity as well as responsibility to contribute to society. This took root from an early age under the influence and guidance of her mother, for whom she holds endless gratitude, admiration and love. Moving forward, Ms Ho will strive to address and tackle the challenges facing Hong Kong’s disabled community, with a focus on advocating for greater investment in adaptive infrastructure and policy reforms that can facilitate genuine social inclusion and harmony.
One of the formative chapters of Ms Ho’s extraordinary journey can be traced back to her time at HKBU, where she completed her Bachelor of Social Sciences in China Studies. As a student here, she found not just a sophisticated education but a nurturing environment that values whole-person development. HKBU’s commitment to supporting students with special educational needs was crucial to her enjoyment of university life, but equally important were the friendship and support from caring professors and classmates who became her lifelong friends. Her on-going partnership with HKBU reflects this close connection. From 2017 to 2018, she served on the Committee on Students with Special Educational Needs. After graduation, she has remained an active member of the University community, often returning as a speaker and mentor. During events where HKBU celebrated the remarkable achievements of student and alumni athletes at the Hangzhou Asian Games and Asian Para Games, as well as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, she was invited to share her personal journey, which touched the hearts of participants time after time.
In conferring this Honorary University Fellowship, HKBU recognises not only a distinguished alumna with brilliant achievements in the sports field globally, but a champion of social progress whose impact has been felt by so many Hongkongers. Ms Ho Yuen-kei has proven that limitations exist only to be overcome, that a human being’s potential knows no bound, that challenges are merely opportunities in disguise, and that the spirit of service is the most precious driving force in society.