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The Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) is pleased to announce that ZESPRI™, a premium brand of New Zealand kiwi fruit, has committed to be the title sponsor of the Outstanding Junior Athlete Awards (OJAA) in 2009 with the aim of providing more support to junior athletes in the territory. The scheme, the ZESPRI™ Outstanding Junior Athlete Awards, held its launch ceremony, annual celebration and the first quarter of 2009 Awards presentation today at Leighton Hill Community Hall.

Margaret Siu, Head of Coaching Support Services of the HKSI, appreciated the support of ZESPRI™, saying, "Both the HKSAR Government and the HKSI have shown greater attention to the development of junior athletes for the feeder system and the long-term sports development in Hong Kong. ZESPRI™ has come in the right time to support the Awards scheme and show the commitment of the commercial sector in nurturing our young generation."

Presented by the HKSI with support from the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) and the Hong Kong Sports Press Association (HKSPA), the Awards scheme recognises the achievement of local junior athletes under the age of 19 on a quarterly basis.

Kelvin Bezuidenhout, Market Manager of ZESPRI International (Asia) Limited said, "ZESPRI™ is delighted to sponsor the Outstanding Junior Athlete Awards because it fits perfectly with so many things we believe in. We have a long history of partnership with local sports teams and personalities, and the health of children and young adults is one of our top priorities. Kiwi fruit has been shown to be the most nutritious fruit in the world, and its benefits go hand in hand with exercise as we strive to promote a healthy, active lifestyle across Hong Kong."

The launch ceremony was officiated by Margaret Siu, Head of Coaching Support Services of the HKSI; Kelvin Bezuidenhout, Market Manager of ZESPRI International (Asia) Limited; Karl Kwok and Tony Yue, Vice-Presidents of the SF&OC; and Chu Hoi-kun, Executive Committee Chairman of the HKSPA. They were each given a pot of water, an essential element for growth, to water kiwi sprouts, which symbolises that stakeholder support is crucial for nurturing junior athletes. Awardees of 2008, including Au Wing-chi, Lai Chun-ho, Ho Ka-po, Lee Tsun-sang, Kong Man-wai and Li Ching-wan, also joined the event as an annual celebration and presentation ceremony for the first quarter of 2009 Awards.

The athletes were very pleased to have new sponsorship for the Awards scheme. "The scheme has provided me with great impetus for doing well in all competitions, and a new commercial sponsor would definitely enhance the recognition to athletes and add value to the scheme," said squash player Au Wing-chi, a six-time Award winner who won her first championship recently at the Crocodile Challenge Cup.

Awardees of the first quarter of 2009 include badminton players Tse Ying-suet and Wong Wing-ki, squash players Au Chun-ming and Liu Tsz-ling as well as windsurfers Chan Hei-man and Leung Ho-tsun.

Wong, who won the outstanding junior athlete title twice in the first and third quarters of 2008, grabbed a bronze medal in the men's singles at the highly competitive Dutch Junior International 2009, which earned him this honour for the third time. Wong said, "The Awards drive me to do my best in every aspect. My goal is to climb to the top 20 in the world rankings within one year and take part in the 2010 Asian Games and the 2012 Olympic Games."

Seventeen-year-old Tse clinched a bronze medal in women's singles at the Yonex German Junior 2009. Tse first represented Hong Kong in international competitions in 2006. "Although I did not win any medals in 2006, I gained invaluable experience. In July 2008, my hard work paid off when I grabbed two bronze medals at the Badminton Asia Youth Under-19 Championships. With more experience and greater confidence, I then won a bronze medal again at the Yonex German Junior 2009. It was an amazing experience for me," Tse said.

Squash players Au Chun-ming and Liu Tsz-ling both achieved excellent results at the 14^th Asian Junior Squash Championships in India, where they snatched a silver and bronze medal in the boys' individual and the girls' individual respectively. Au named his sister Au Wing-chi as his role model and hopes to participate in the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games (EAG) in December. Liu, who was very happy to receive the Award for the first time, has set a target for herself of reaching the quarterfinals of the World Junior Squash Championships held at the end of this month and the semifinals of the Asian Junior Squash Championships in 2011.

Windsurfers Leung Ho-tsun and Chan Hei-man grabbed a gold and silver medal respectively in the RS:X youth boys/ girls at 2008 RS:X Youth World Championships held in Thailand this January. Leung was very excited to win the title. "I have been preparing for the 2008 RS:X Youth World Championships in full time for one year," he said. "Finally I won the championship, and it's the perfect ending to my junior athletic career. I am now looking forward to getting good results at the EAG. In the long run, I hope to represent Hong Kong in other major competitions such as the Olympic Games and the Asian Games."

Chan became a member of the Hong Kong squad in 2006. She thanked her parents, coaches and school for their full support. "I would like to thank all of them for supporting my decision to become a full-time athlete last year. The Award proves that I am on the right track," she said. Chan hopes to participate in adult events and is working hard to prepare for the 11^th National Games and the EAG.

In addition, swimmer Lum Ching-tat was awarded a Certificate of Merit to recognise his outstanding performance this quarter by breaking his own Hong Kong record of 100M individual medley, which he had set last November in Germany, at the Hong Kong Age Group Short Course Swimming Championships 2009 in March. Lum recently clinched three of Hong Kong's five gold medals at the 1^st Asian Youth Games in Singapore.

Each recipient received a cash prize of HK$2,500, a voucher worth HK$2,500 and a certificate at the presentation.