On the advice of the Sports Commission, the sport of rugby sevens has joined the ranks of sports that receive “Tier A” support from the Elite Training Programme run by the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) for the four-year elite sport funding cycle up to 2017. It gives athletes in the sport regular access to training, facilities and sports science and medicine support at the institute.

Another 13 sports currently receiving high level support at the HKSI, namely athletics, badminton, billiard sports, cycling, fencing, karatedo, rowing, squash, swimming, table tennis, tenpin bowling, windsurfing and wushu, will also receive “Tier A” support up to 2017.

The sports of gymnastics and triathlon, which currently receive high level support from the HKSI, will receive “Tier A” support for a further two years, after which their continued status will be reviewed in the light of their athletes’ performances during the period from 2013 to 2015.

A further 10 sports, namely dance sports, equestrianism, judo, lawn bowls, mountaineering, orienteering, roller sports, sailing, skating and tennis, will receive “Tier B” support from the HKSI.

The five-year, part-time degree programme, orgainsed by the Beijing Sport University and administered by the HKSI, provides local coaches with an opportunity to gain an academic qualification as well as acquire sport-general and sport-specific knowledge.

The 2013 new intake is now accepting application. Enrolment deadline is 28 June (Friday). The programme briefing session will be held on 15 June (Saturday), please click HERE for details. (Chinese version only)

Brochure (Chinese version only)

Application Form (Chinese version only)

For enquiries, please contact Ms Renee So of the Coach Education Department (Tel: 2681 6352 ; email: renees@hksi.org.hk).

In order to further enrich the anti-doping knowledge among coaches and other athlete support personnel, a seminar on “Anti-doping” was held on 30 April at the Olympic House. The seminar, hosted by the Hong Kong Anti-Doping Committee and supported by the Hong Kong Coaching Committee, included two sessions delivered respectively by a medical doctor and an anti-doping expert, and attracted 300 audience to attend.

Hon Leon Bignell MP, Minister of Tourism, Sports and Recreation, Government of South Australia, visited the HKSI on 15 April, during which he met the HKSI Management and toured the HKSI’s facilities to gain an understanding of Hong Kong’s elite training system.

Wheelchair fencer Yu Chui-yee was invited to share with different organisations, including an event for secondary students co-organised by City University of Hong Kong and Ming Pao Group on 20 April, and a staff annual event of Prudential Hong Kong on 3 May. Despite the difference in business nature, all participants benefited from the fencer’s experience in achieving success through adversity.

Cyclist Lee Wai-sze attended the grand opening of the 4^th Hong Kong Games held on 27 April organised by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department to encourage all citizens to exercise regularly. She was also invited to officiate at the launch ceremony of Hong Kong’s first-ever bike and bike tools lending service initiated by The Link on 30 April to promote green living.

Recently retired cyclist Wong Kam-po is still active in community and commercial activities. As the brand endorser of Dah Sing Life, he officiated at its annual event held on 9 May, where he shared new life experience with all participants after becoming a coach.