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Organised by the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and sponsored by ZESPRI™, a premium brand of New Zealand kiwi fruit, with the support of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) and the Hong Kong Sports Press Association (HKSPA), the ZESPRI™ Outstanding Junior Athlete Awards (OJAA) Presentation for the second quarter of 2009 was held today (15 September) to recognise the achievement of outstanding local junior athletes under the age of 19.

Recipients include track and field athlete Fung Wai-yee, cyclist Choi Ki-ho, table tennis player Guan Mengyuan, wushu athletes Fung Wing-see and Lo Chun-ming. Each of them was presented a cash prize of HK$2,500, a voucher worth HK$2,500 and a certificate.

Officiating guests include Tony Yue, Vice President of the SF&OC, Chiu Chan-fai, Executive Committee Vice Chairman of the HKSPA and Dr Trisha Leahy, Chief Executive of the HKSI. Chang Yu-ho (athletics coach), Hung Chung-yam (retired cyclist), Li Huifen (table tennis coach) and Cheng Ka-ho (retired wushu athlete) were also invited as special guests to present the Awards to the awardees, symbolising the continuation of elite athlete's development.

In addition, squash players Choi Uen-shan and Ho Ka-po were each awarded a Certificate of Merit to recognise their outstanding performance in this quarter.

Both track and field athlete Fung Wai-yee and cyclist Choi Ki-ho were winners of the Awards for the second quarter of 2008. Fung earned her second outstanding junior athlete title with excellent performance by winning a silver medal in girls' high jump at the Asian Youth Games held in June in Singapore. The 15-year-old athlete said with joy, "I am flattered to be honoured again. I hope to do my best in the 2009 East Asian Games and win medals for Hong Kong."

Up-and-coming cyclist Choi Ki-ho performed well at the 2009 China National Track Race – Series 2 & 3 capturing 2 gold medals in madison. Choi also got a silver medal in 3km individual pursuit at the 2009 China National Track Junior Championships. He was very happy as his effort was recognised, saying, "I am preparing for the Asian Cycling Championships and I hope to win the gold medal."

Table tennis player Guan Mengyuan snatched 2 silver medals in junior girls' singles and team as well as a bronze medal in doubles at the China Junior Open held in Chengdu in June. Guan started playing table tennis at 7 and had gradually built up the interest to the sport. "I plan to become a member of the Hong Kong squad soon and get good results in the international competitions," Guan said.

Wushu athletes Fung Wing-see and Lo Chun-ming clinched a number of medals together at the 5th Asian Junior Wushu Championships held in Macau in June. Fung and Lo got totally 2 gold and 4 silver medals in women's daoshu, changquan and gunshu events (Group A) as well as in men's taijiquan, taijijian and qiangshu events (Group B) respectively. Fung Wing-see has already won the outstanding junior athlete title for three times, namely the third quarter of 2006, second quarter of 2007 and fourth quarter of 2008. Although this was her fourth title, Fung was still very excited because her effort was recognised again.

Studying at Tak Sun Secondary School, fourth former Lo Chun-ming was thrilled to win the title for the first time. Lo first represented Hong Kong in 2008 at the 2nd World Junior Wushu Championships and his remarkable performance in men's 24 forms taijiquan event (Group B) earned him a gold medal. Both wushu athletes were glad to learn that the 2009 OJAA is sponsored by ZESPRI™, a premium New Zealand kiwi fruit brand. "It is good to hear that ZESPRI™ enthusiastically sponsors the Awards scheme. With support from a commercial organisation, the Awards could be better promoted to the public." Fung said.

Besides, ZESPRI™ will sponsor an exchange tour to New Zealand in April next year for four awardees of 2009. A selection will be conducted between January and February 2010. Further details on the selection will be announced in due course.