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Hang Seng Bank (HSB) and the HKSI launched a 3-year programme named “Community In Action” today. The new initiative aims to promote sports in the community and encourage a whole-person development of athletes. Under the programme, elite athletes will be invited to share their experience with the youth through different interactive activities to introduce a healthy lifestyle and sports as a career option. Regular training workshops will also be organised to enhance the skill set of athletes, attempting to equip them with diverse abilities.

Officiating guests Ms Louisa Cheang Wai-wan, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive of HSB and Mr Michael Lee Tze-hau JP, Vice-Chairman of the HKSI, joined Mr Chan Kong-wah, Head Table Tennis Coach, Mr Wayne Griffith, Head Billiard Sports Coach, elite athletes Doo Hoi-kem (Table Tennis) and Robbie Capito (Billiard Sports), and over 110 primary students and teachers to kick off the new programme in the midst of a strong and cheerful beat.

In the sharing session, Doo Hoi-kem and Robbie Capito shared their views towards the new programme. Doo, mixed doubles champion of the 2018 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals, said, “It is my pleasure to spend a fruitful day with a group of primary students. I tried to deliver a message that sports can be more than a hobby. It can be a lifelong career, and a rare chance to bring glory to Hong Kong.”

Robbie, as a seventeen-year-old Hong Kong billiard sports player, is well known for winning several major awards in international competitions at a young age, including the runner-up in WPA World Nine-ball Championship last year. “Other than promoting sports among our community, the programme will provide comprehensive trainings to improve our competitiveness, which I think is very important to our personal growth,” Robbie commented.

Head Table Tennis Coach Mr Chan Kong-wah expressed his appreciation to the programme for inspiring young athletes with potential. He said, “With the continual support from HSB, numerous talented athletes were nurtured at early age and now become a rising star. I am happy to learn that the support will extend to the community through the new scheme by inviting elite athletes to visit their alma mater. I am sure they will make a positive impact on the young fellows to pursue their dreams.”

Mr Wayne Griffith, Head Billiard Sports Coach, agreed that the young athletes should develop multiple skills. Wayne said, “To be a successful athlete, one cannot just rely on sport technique. Their mentality, time management and communication skills are also important for personal development. I think this new project not only can assist young athletes to become a well-rounded person, but also help prepare themselves for future challenges.”

Title sponsored by HSB, “Community In Action” is a three-year programme which includes a series of events co-organised with the HKSI for schools and social welfare organisations. The programme aims to promote sportsmanship among the youth and inspire potential juniors to pursue full-time training. Skills workshops will also be provided to athletes to gear up for academic study and future career, hoping to achieve a win-win situation for both elite athletes and our community.

As the HKSAR Government’s designated organisation to provide the high performance training system for eligible sports, the HKSI is committed to providing an environment in which sports talent can be identified, nurtured, and developed to pursue excellence in the international sporting arena, as well as to encouraging potential youngsters to engage in full-time training.