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14 students will start professional training in sports coaching after receiving their admission certificates at the First Assembly of the 2008-2009 Bachelor of Education in Sports Training Programme (the Programme) held today (Wednesday).

Amongst the new batch of students who are local athletes or coaches, there are six elite Wushu athletes including Leung Man-chun and Zheng Tianhui who captured two medals (one gold and one bronze) and a gold medal respectively at the 4^th TAFISA World Sport For All Games – World Wushu Tournament, as well as Cheng Chung-hang who captured two bronze medals at the Wushu Tournament Beijing 2008.

Organised by the Beijing Sport University (BSU) and administered by the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI), the Programme aims to provide professional development for sport-specific coaches and athletes, as well as to develop quality coaches for Hong Kong sport. Being Hong Kong's first ever degree course in sports training offered by the BSU starting from 1999, the Programme is introducing its fourth intake this year. Students of both the 2005 and 2008 Classes who specialize in one of the four sports including Wushu, Swimming, Triathlon and Basketball, attended the First Assembly today.

Dr Eric Li, Chairman of the HKSI, thanked the sincere support of the National Sports Associations and the Hongkong Bank Foundation in the Programme, and most importantly, the trust in the HKSI from the BSU over the years. "Hope that we can continue to work closely together, and make contribution to China and Hong Kong's sports exchanges, as well as nurture more outstanding coaches for Hong Kong," he added.

Professor Yang Hua, President of the BSU, gave encouragement to the new students at the ceremony. He also appreciated the enthusiasm and commitment of the 1999, 2001 and 2005 Classes students and is confident that the new batch of students could match the success of their seniors and make contributions to the local sports community in the future.

Cheng Chung-hang, a member of the Hong Kong wushu team, was happy to start a new page in his sporting career, saying, "The course offers me a chance to enrich my coaching knowledge and further develop my career in sporting field in future."

Cheng Ka-ho and Angie Tsang, graduates of the 1^st and 2^nd degree course respectively, as well as Lau Ching-yin, student of the 3^rd degree course also attended the ceremony as a gesture of support to their fellow schoolmates. They handed a relay baton to Cheng Chung-han, Hui Chi-ming and Kwok Sum, representatives of the 2008 class, symbolising that "the torch of learning" was passing on from generation to generation, and encouraged them to grasp this valuable chance to study hard and to pursue excellence in both academic and sporting career.

Meanwhile, six current 2005 Class students were presented the Hongkong Bank Foundation Scholarships totaling HK$20,000 by Winnie Shiu, Senior Corporate Sustainability Manager, Asia Pacific Region of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited for their outstanding performance in the 2007-2008 academic year. The Hongkong Bank Foundation has committed more than HK$21 million to support the Hong Kong Coach Education Programme since 1992, and it has been offering scholarships to students of the BSU Programme starting from 2000.

The five-year part-time degree programme consists of 25 module, including languages, sports psychology, sports nutrition, biochemical analysis of sports training, statistics in sports, education in sports, physical training and administration in sports training. In addition, students are required to choose a sport-specific elective, including theories and practicum, and they will be granted a Bachelor degree upon successful completion of all requirements.

Student List of 2008 Class for the Bachelor of Education in Sports Training and a List of Recipients for the Hongkong Bank Foundation Scholarships (2007/2008 Academic Year)  (PDF)