Organised by the HKSI, 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 Outstanding Junior Athlete Awards (OJAA) Presentation Ceremony for the 2nd quarter of 2019 was held at the HKSI today. A total of 18 junior athletes were presented the OJAA for their excellent performance.
The awardees were Leung Wing-hei (Athletics); Cheng Sin-yan (Badminton); Lee Sze -wing (Cycling); Jerry Lee and Sin Kam-ho (Dance Sports); Hsieh Sin-yan and Sophia Wu (Fencing); Han Zilin (Golf); Li Chi-kong (Karatedo); Chow Hiu-yau (Skating); Chan Sin-yuk (Squash); Hui Wai and Yiu Kwan-to (Table Tennis); Tim Gauntlett, Wai Ching-wah and Wong Chak-lam (Tennis); and Chan Long-tin and Chan Yui-lam (Swimming – Hong Kong Sports Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability (HKSAPID)).
Officiating guests included Miss Marie-Christine Lee, founder of the SFHF, Mr Pui Kwan-kay SBS MH and Ms Vivien Lau BBS JP, Vice-Presidents of the SF&OC; Mr Raymond Chiu, Vice Chairman of the HKSPA and Dr Trisha Leahy BBS, Chief Executive of the HKSI.
Fencers Hsieh Sin-yan and Sophia Wu were crowned OJAA title by winning a bronze medal in the Women’s Epee Team and Women’s Foil Team respectively at the Asian Fencing Championships. Wu was honoured to receive her second consecutive OJAA title, and she will continue to strive for her best and bring Hong Kong proud. Sixth time OJAA winner Hsieh, who was also the double annual awards recipient of 2018 OJAA, is eyeing on to secure more qualification points for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games by participating in more competitions.
Badminton player Cheng Sin-yan obtained her first OJAA title this quarter by her excellent performance at the Pembangunan Jaya Raya Junior Grand Prix 2019. She won a silver medal in the Women’s Singles, which is also her first medal in an individual event. “The good result boosted my confidence and makes me more motivated to training,” said Cheng.
Skater Chow Hiu-yau won two bronze medals in the Women’s Short Program and Free Skating at the Sports School Section at the 2nd National Youth Games. To deliver a solid performance at her first National Games, Chow underwent a series of intensive training before the competition. She thanked the organisers for recognising her effort and looks forward to a breakthrough in the coming Junior Grand Prix held in Italy.
Swimmers Cheuk Ming-ho and Lim Zhaoguang were awarded the Certificate of Merit this quarter by smashing the Hong Kong records in the Men’s 400m Freestyle and Men’s 200m Butterfly respectively at the 62nd Festival of Sport – Long Course Time Trial. The record-breaking result also earned Lim the qualification for the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju, Korea. To realise their dream of representing Hong Kong at next year’s Olympics, both of them have been stepping up their training intensity. Cheuk has a strong passion for the sport and will consider to turn full-time after graduation in the future.
In addition, the Certificate of Merits were awarded to 5 other athletes, namely Cheung Siu-hang (Athletics), Zhuo Tianwei (Golf), Tang Yu-hin (Karatedo), Lee Fu-kwan and Xie Wing-lam (Kart) for their distinguished performance. Inukai Aru and Pleroma Wong (Gymnastics), Jessica Loo (Roller Sports), and Ng Wing-laam and Wong Man-ching (Volleyball) were presented with the Certificate of Appreciation.
Organised by the HKSI, 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 sports voucher worth HK$2,500 and a certificate. For teams, they will receive a cash award of HK$10,000, 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 provide 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.
