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Organised by the HKSI, title sponsored by the Shine Tak Foundation, sponsored by the Sports for Hope Foundation (SFHF) and supported by the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) and the Hong Kong Sports Press Association (HKSPA), the Annual Celebration and 4^th quarter awards presentation ceremony of the Outstanding Junior Athletes Awards (OJAA) 2023 was held today to acknowledge the achievements of 47 athletes and three annual awards were also presented.

Officiating guests and awards presenters included Lam Kwok-hing MH JP Honorary Consul, Executive Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Shine Tak Foundation; Miss Marie-Christine Lee, Founder of the SFHF; Mr Wong Po-kee, Honorary Deputy Secretary General of the SF&OC; Mr Raymond Chiu, Chairman of the HKSPA and Mr Tony Choi MH, Chief Executive of the HKSI.

Mak Sai-ting Adam Won the Most Outstanding Junior Athlete Award
Chan Baldwin Ho-wah and Cheung Tsun-lok Earned the Most Promising Athlete Award

Looking back at 2023, Hong Kong's junior athletes achieved remarkable results at international competitions. Among them, Mak Sai-ting Adam (Swimming) stood out with outstanding performances and was awarded the title of the Most Outstanding Junior Athlete of the Year. He became the second swimmer, following Siobhan Haughey in 2013, to receive this prestigious annual award. Mak Sai-ting clinched the historic gold medal for Hong Kong in the men’s 200m breaststroke at the 9^th World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships. He continued to excel by winning two silver medals in the men’s 100m and 200m breaststroke at the 1^st National Student (Youth) Games. Upon learning about his achievement of the award, Mak Sai-ting shared, “This represents a significant milestone in my journey, and I see it as a pivotal turning point. It inspires me to push further and continue my relentless pursuit of self-improvement. Going forward, I will channel my unwavering focus into swimming, dedicating myself to excel in international competitions and accomplish a diverse range of goals.

Chan Baldwin Ho-wah (Table Tennis) and Cheung Tsun-lok (HKSAPID – Swimming), who were selected as Outstanding Junior Athletes three times in 2023, were awarded as the Most Promising Junior Athlete of the Year.

Chan Baldwin Ho-wah not only clinched the gold medal in the U19 boys singles at WTT Youth Contender Helsingborg 2023, but he also made continued success by winning a bronze in the same event at the 27^th Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships 2023. He expressed that he would be competing in more international events this year, aiming to improve his world ranking and strive for podium finishes in senior tournaments.

Cheung Tsun-lok inspired us with a gold medal in the men's 200m freestyle and a silver medal in the 100m butterfly (multi-disability youth group) at Lignano Sabbiadoro 2023 Citi Para Swimming World Series, and went on to claim the gold medal with his teammates in the male 4x200m freestyle relay at the Vichy 2023 Virtus Global Games. Additionally, he won the silver medal in the men’s 200m freestyle S14 at the 4^th Asian Para Games. He said it was his great honour to receive the award, and he is grateful to the Shine Tak Foundation, his coaches, supporting team from the HKSI as well as the Hong Kong, China Sports Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability, and his supportive family, friends. 2023 was a year full of breakthroughs, and this award has boosted his confidence. In the future, he will work harder for better results, and hopes more people will continue support Para athletes.

The Hong Kong, China Table Tennis Association and the Sports Association for the Physically Disabled of Hong Kong, China, were awarded the Most Supportive National Sports Association.

38 Q4 Awardees and 9 Athletes Received Certificate of Appreciation and Merit

A total of 38 junior athletes from 17 sports were crowned the OJAA title in the 4^th quarter. They are Jia Wai-yin and Liu Hiu-long (Athletics), Fu Huan (Billiards Sports), Chan Hei-lam and Lee Wing-kiu Winki (Dance Sports), Arther An, Shen Yik-ki, Xiao Chun-yuen Ammy and Yu Xinran (Equestrian), Tsang Pak-yin and Wong Han-yi Hidy (Karatedo), Gao Ziqi Elly (Mountaineering), Fung Hong-ching and Siu Pui-yuet (Orienteering), Cheung Tsun-lok (HKSAPID – Swimming), Pang Wing-ka (HKSAPD – Table Tennis), Chan Yin-lam Sevina and Li Yuet-yi (Roller Sports), Chen Pak-hong (Rowing), Men's U18 Sevens Team formed by Luke Oliver Bannon, Oliver Haines Clarke, Tanner Kit Holland, Liam Pui-tat Jordan, Maurits Johannes Hendrik Kennes, Kyran James Lacy, Thomas David Langley, Fritz Gonzales Mahn, David Nathan McMurtray, Zachary Steven Medeiros, Matthew William Phatcharaphol Rickard and Oliver Dean Sinclair (Rugby Sevens), Mak Sai-ting Adam (Swimming), Chan Baldwin Ho-wah and Wong Hoi-tung (Table Tennis), Chan Yui-fung and Lam Lok-shi (Triathlon), Asgar Kikabhoy (Windsurfing) and Sean Glass (HKSAPD – Wheelchair Fencing).

In addition, four athletes were awarded the Certificate of Merit for this quarter, including Lam Ka-to and Ip Sum-yau (Badminton), Chan Ying-tung and Cheng Pui-hong (Underwater), in recognition of their hard work.

Five athletes were awarded the Certificate of Appreciation, including Wong Kei-laam (Boxing), Kao Jamison Edrich (Chess), Su You-wei and Li Ching-long (Karatedo), and Ma Gilane (Swimming).

The OJAA recognises the achievements of outstanding local junior athletes under the age of 19 on a quarterly basis. Each winner is presented with a cash prize of HK$5,000, a sports voucher worth HK$2,500 and a certificate. For teams, they will receive a cash award of HK$20,000, a sport voucher worth HK$10,000 and certificates.

Being the 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 and to inspire potential athletes to pursue a full-time sports career.