Asian Games 2022: Yaffa Lam eager to help Hong Kong softball team make an impact in Hangzhou
- The 33-year-old was part of the Hong Kong team who failed to win a match at the 2018 Asian Games and wants to make amends
- She says members of the Hong Kong women’s softball squad must balance studies and work with regular practice
It was the first time Hong Kong had qualified for the Asian Games softball competition and the 33-year-old veteran said she is determined to make amends.
“In 2018, it was my dream come true to be able to take part in the Asian Games,” said Lam. “I never thought when I was starting out that I would get a chance to compete for Hong Kong in such a big competition.
“It was the biggest moment in my softball life but unfortunately, we didn’t do that well. However, it was not so much about the performance but that fact that we qualified for the first time.
“It was a big moment for us but I really want to play in the next Asian Games and make up for our performance in Jakarta.”
Hong Kong finished seventh out of seven teams at the Jakarta Games, losing all six matches and scoring just two runs – in a 5-1 loss to South Korea and in losing 6-1 to Chinese Taipei. Their worst defeat was 15-0 against eventual gold medallists Japan.
Lam started playing softball at secondary school before joining the local leagues and eventually graduating to the Hong Kong representative side. She has remained one of the city’s best players, emerging as Open League batting champion in 2019 and 2017.
For Hong Kong, the centre fielder has taken part in the Asian Games, 2019 Asia-Oceania qualifiers and the 2017 and 2019 Asian Championships.
“My PE teacher at school was a retired softball player for the Hong Kong team and she formed a team so I had the chance to join them. I eventually played in the B and A leagues before I was able to join the Hong Kong team,” said Lam, who attended Wong Shiu Chi Secondary School in Tai Po.
Lam works for a sports agency and, most days after work, she is at batting and fielding practice or at fitness class. As a centre fielder, she loves the feeling of catching high balls in the middle of the park.
When it comes to batting, she is either third on fifth in the line-up, she is quick around the bases and uses her speed tactically to hit safety bunts and try to scramble to first base.
“I think time management is the biggest challenge for me,” said Lam. “I am not a full-time athlete, there are no full-time softball players in Hong Kong and we all have to either study or work.
“I can only practise before or after work. I have my regular training at night after work every Monday and Wednesday, and fitness class every Tuesday.
“When I pick a job I have to make sure the job can allow me to continue practising softball. To let me take annual leave to play in competitions. Not every employer understands or is fine with this so I’m very lucky that all my employers have allowed me to continue being an athlete.”
She said her parents have been supportive of her career and paid tribute to her mother, who encouraged her to do her best. “My mother always tells to try my best and then I wouldn’t have any regrets.”
