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The Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) hosted an Open Day on 27 and 28 January 2018. With over 4,500 members of the public enrolling over two days of fun-filled activities, the event offered a rare opportunity for the participants to take a glimpse of the HKSI’s world-class training venues for elite athletes, as well as to get up close and personal with the sports stars and learn about the training system and work of the HKSI.

As the Government’s elite sport training systems delivery agent, the HKSI aims to drive public awareness of elite sports development in Hong Kong through the annual event, as well as to reach out to more schools to promote its initiatives of providing integrated education opportunities for young athletes, enabling them to pursue a sports career without sacrificing their academic development.

The first day (27 January) was exclusively designed for schools, during which students from 46 schools and education organisations, including those under the HKSI’s Elite Athlete-friendly School Network and Partnership School Programme, toured the various world-class training facilities and took part in fitness tests, sports talks and athletes’ sharing sessions.

The second day (28 January) featured various activities such as “Meet the Athletes” session, “Sports and Health Talk” and a series of sports demonstrations and tryouts. In addition, guided tours were organised to introduce the daily training environment of elite athletes, including the Athletic Field, Swimming Complex, Rowing Centre, Fitness Training Centre, Table Tennis Hall, Badminton Hall, Tenpin Bowling Centre, Wushu Hall, Squash Courts and Tennis Courts. Participants were amazed by the HKSI’s comprehensive training system and all-round support provided for elite athletes.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Trisha Leahy BBS, Chief Executive of the HKSI, expressed her gratitude to the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (HKPC&SAPD), National Sports Associations (NSAs) and other sponsors and partners for their long-term support to the HKSI and the development of elite athletes. She hoped that the public would know more about the athletes’ life through the Open Day, and encouraged parents to advocate their talented children to pursue a career as full-time elite athletes.

Also at the ceremony were elite athletes Ng Ka-long (Badminton), Robbie James Capito (Billiard Sports), Kimberley Vanessa Cheung (Fencing), Ng Kiu-chung (Gymnastics), Hung Ho-wai (Karatedo), Lee Ka-man (Rowing), Fong Kit-fung (Rugby), Kwong Hiu-ching (Skating), Wong Chi-him (Squash), To King-him (Swimming), Wong Chun-ting (Table Tennis), Wong Chun-hun (Tennis), Wu Siu-hong (Tenpin Bowling), Law Leong-tim (Triathlon), Leung Ho-tsun (Windsurfing), Zheng Tianhui (Wushu) and Tong Chi-yung (Table Tennis for Athletes with Disabilities), who shared their training experiences with the audience.

In the “Meet the Athletes” session, Ng Ka-long, Lee Ka-man, To King-him and Wong Chun-ting shared their life as an elite athlete, and visitors seized the great opportunities to interact and take photos with them. Hong Kong top men’s singles shuttler Ng Ka-long said, “As a full-time athlete, I normally train six hours a day. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the HKSI for its ongoing support. In addition to the provision of training facilities, the sports psychologists at the HKSI also give us tailor-made mental training and advice to help us maintain our good form.” Hong Kong’s Best Male Swimmer, To King-him also said, “I have been training at the HKSI since I return to Hong Kong in 2016. The world class sports facilities at the HKSI offer athletes a very good training environment.”

In addition, the HKSI’s sports science experts were on hand to provide sports psychology tips during the “Sports and Health Talk”. Participants also tried their hands at the HKSI booth and took fun pictures in the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme instant photo booth. Demonstration and challenge zones featuring badminton, table-tennis, rugby, wushu and sports for athletes with disabilities were also staged. There were also interactive booths arranged by the SF&OC, HKPC&SAPD and NSAs, where visitors took part in games and tests under the guidance of sports professionals, and tried out different sports, including athletics, cycling, rowing, rugby, squash, table tennis, tennis, tenpin bowling, and sports for athletes with disabilities.

The HKSI wishes the public can understand the works of the HKSI on the annual Open Day and continue to show their support to elite sports development.

For video highlights of the activities, please visit the Video Gallery (27 January / 28 January).