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The Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) is pleased to announce that the Sports for Hope Foundation (SFHF), current title sponsor of the Outstanding Junior Athlete Awards (OJAA), has extended its financial support for another three years, from 2013 to 2015. The good news was announced today at the HKSI during the OJAA Awards presentation for the first Quarter of 2013.

Officiating guests, including Dr Trisha Leahy, Chief Executive of the HKSI; Mr Tony Yue MH JP, Vice- President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC); Raymond Chiu, Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Press Association (HKSPA) and Miss Marie-Christine Lee, Founder of the SFHF, kicked off the new sponsorship together by inserting images of 2012 awardees into a graphic box, signifying that the organiser, the sponsor and the supporting organisations are joining hands again to support the programme in furthering the sports passion and fostering the personal development of junior athletes. Retired track and field athlete Chan Ka-chiu, former Hong Kong record holder for long jump, retired fencer Wong Kam-kau and retired squash player Chiu Wing-yin, who is now an assistant coach at the HKSI, also attended the ceremony to encourage junior athletes to endeavour and pursue their dreams.

Founder of the SFHF Marie-Christine Lee said, “It’s exhilarating to see young athletes getting medals in local and international competitions. I am glad to have established SFHF to let more stars of tomorrow unleash their potential in sports, taking a step forward towards their dreams.”

Dr Trisha Leahy, Chief Executive of the HKSI, welcomed SFHF’s decision of maintaining a long-term partnership with the HKSI and expressed her gratitude on behalf of the young athletes. She said, “It’s been our pleasure to work with SFHF in the past year, and we are indeed very happy to be able to collaborate with them for another three years. The decision to extend the sponsorship brings about a deeper meaning beyond the additional monetary motivation. It is a kind of public recognition towards young athletes’ sporting achievements, which acts as an impetus for them to move forward and aim for higher goals.”

Thirteen athletes were awarded in this quarter, namely Ng Wing-yung and Tang Chun-man (badminton), Chang Ngai-hing and Cheung Ka-long (fencing), Chan Pui-hei, Choi Uen-shan, Ho Ka-po and Ho Tze-lok (squash), Lam Yee-lok, Mak Tze-wing and Soo Wai-yam (table tennis), Ip Cheng (tennis), Tin Lok-kin (athletics - Hong Kong Sports Association for the Mentally Handicapped, HKSAM).

Table tennis player Mak Tze-wing, first-time winner of the OJAA, who had become a member of the Hong Kong team only this year, claimed that her fondness for table tennis was influenced by her brother. Teamed up with Lam Yee-lok and Soo Wai-yam, the girls seized the champion in the junior girls’ team at the 2013 French Junior & Cade Open and the first runner-up at the 2013 Italian Junior & Cadet Open, which earned them the outstanding junior athlete title in this quarter. Mak said, “It was the first time that I joined an international tournament, so I was delighted getting the champion. I hope I can do even better in the next competition.” The 14-year-old sees Tie Yana, a senior teammate in the Hong Kong team as her role model, hoping that she can have good mental quality and perform stably in competitions like Tie. Looking forward, Mak aspires to get medals at the Hong Kong Junior & Cadet Open - ITTF Premium Junior Circuit 2013 and the Asian Junior Table Tennis Championships. Clear about her goals, Mak said, “First I need to strengthen my power, the next step is to enhance my mental quality”.

Squash player Choi Uen-shan, who is awarded the OJAA title for second time, captured the second place with her teammates Chan Pui-hei, Ho Ka-po and Ho Tze-lok in the girl’s team event at the 16^th Asian Junior Team Squash Championships. Choi is grateful for the sponsorship of the SFHF, believing that athletes can regard the award as a goal. Choi said, “I never thought of being awarded. I want to thank my coach and teammates. Without their encouragement, I might not be able to stand on the award presentation podium.” Her teammate Ho Tze-lok, who is awarded for the third time, feels honoured to earn the award again. She sees the award as a form of recognition and encouragement. “I would not be conceited getting the award, I will work even harder in the days to come.” Ho is thankful for the support of her family, the HKSI, and of course the coaching of her coach. Her personal goal is to be selected as part of the Hong Kong team delegation for the East Asian Games and the WSF Women’s World Team Championship.

Fencer Cheung Ka-long, who is awarded the first time, recalls his most unforgettable incident to be the fierce competition he faced in the semi-quarter final of the Asian Junior & Cadet Fencing Championships. Cheung noted, “Towards the end of the competition, I was lagged behind, but I told myself to stay calm in order to reverse the situation.” With good mental quality and being calm, Cheung won the opponent whom he thought was almost the strongest among all. He was crowned champion in the men’s foil team cadet and junior events, and came second in the individual cadet and junior events at the Asian Junior & Cadet Fencing Championships. Cheung sets his goal of getting medals at the Asian Youth Games held in Nanjing in the coming August, the fencer said he would build up his strength and fitness, and match up with the training arrangement of his coach.

In addition, track and field athlete Chan Ming-tai was awarded Certificate of Merit for this quarter.

Organised by the HKSI and sponsored by the Sports for Hope Foundation since 2012, with support from the SF&OC and the HKSPA, the OJAA recognises the achievements of outstanding local junior athletes under the age of 19 on a quarterly basis. Each recipient is presented with a cash prize of HK$2,500, a voucher worth HK$2,500 and a certificate.

Awardees' Achievements in the 1^st Quarter (PDF)