News

ZESPRI^®, the world’s largest exporter of a premium brand of New Zealand kiwifruit, announced that in recognition of the positive response from the sports sector in 2009, it has extended its sponsorship for the Outstanding Junior Athlete Awards (OJAA) for 2010.  The news was announced during the OJAA Presentation Ceremony for the 1^st quarter of 2010 that was held today (8 June).

Ng Ka-long and Poon Lok-yan (badminton), Kong Man-wai and Low Ho-tin (fencing), as well as Mak Cheuk-yin (tenpin bowling) were awarded ZESPRI^® Outstanding Junior Athlete Awards (OJAA) for the 1^st quarter of 2010.  Kelvin Bezuidenhout, Market Manager of ZESPRI International (Asia) Limited, said, “A record high of 32 athletes earned the title of Outstanding Junior Athlete last year, which proves that the standard of junior athletes is getting higher and higher.  ZESPRI^® is delighted to sponsor the Awards again, and we look forward to seeing more up-and-coming athletes become stars in the international sporting arena.”

Officiating guests at today’s presentation included Dr Trisha Leahy, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI); AFM Conway and Tony Yue, Vice-Presidents of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC); Raymond Chiu, Executive Committee Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Press Association (HKSPA); and Kelvin Bezuidenhout, Market Manager of ZESPRI International (Asia) Limited.  In addition, Acting Head Badminton Coach of the HKSI He Yiming, fencer Lau Kwok-kin and tenpin bowler Wu Siu-hong were invited as special guests in support of junior athletes.  Athletes who participated in the New Zealand Sports and Cultural Exchange Tour from late March to early April, including table tennis players Lee Ho-ching and Ng Wing-nam along with swimmer Kong Man-yi, also attended the ceremony to share their experience from the tour. 

Badminton player Ng Ka-long first played badminton in primary one with his father and has been in love with the sport ever since.  His most impressive result to date was at the Asian Under-16 Championships held last August, where he bagged 4 gold medals.  Ng won the Outstanding Junior Athlete title for this quarter with his exceptional performance winning a gold, silver and bronze medal in the mixed doubles, men’s doubles and men’s singles respectively at the Dutch Junior International 2010 held this March.  After winning the Outstanding Junior Athlete title again, Ng expressed his gratitude to his coaches and family, saying, “I will try my best to achieve a better performance as a reward for their love.”

Poon Lok-yan, who partnered with Ng to win a gold medal in the mixed doubles at the Dutch Junior International 2010 and took home a silver medal in the women’s singles at German Junior 2010, was also named an Outstanding Junior Athlete for the second time.  Poon said she is grateful for ZESPRI^®’s sponsorship and that she is training hard to prepare for the Malaysia Open GP, a senior competition where she hopes to improve her ranking. 

An Outstanding Junior Athlete winner in 2008, epee fencer Kong Man-wai was awarded the title again by snatching 3 gold and a silver medal at the 2010 Asian Junior & Cadet Fencing Championships.  Kong first represented Hong Kong at the National Youth Championships in 2007, where she won the championship.  She said, “It was a valuable experience.  I was happy to have the opportunity to represent Hong Kong.  I am preparing for the upcoming National Youth Championships now and I hope to win again.”

Kong’s teammate Low Ho-tin joined the school fencing class in primary three and became a member of the Hong Kong squad in 2007.  At the 2010 Asian Junior & Cadet Fencing Championships held in March, Low clinched a gold medal in the men’s sabre individual (junior) and a bronze medal in the men’s sabre team (junior).  Low commented, “Thanks to my coach’s guidance and the support of my teammates.  I hope to do better in the future and represent Hong Kong in the Asian Games and the Olympics.”

Mak Cheuk-yin, who recently helped win the men’s tenpin bowling team title at the 4^th All-China Games, accepted his Award from his teammate and mentor, Wu Siu-hong.  Mak was honoured for his excellent performance at the 15^th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships, where he won 4 gold medals and a bronze.  The first-time Award-winner said, “I am very excited to have Wu present the honour to me as he is my role model.  He has won the OJAA five times.  I will definitely learn from him and strive to get even better results in the future.”

In addition, speed-skater Lui Pan-to, who broke the Hong Kong record in the men’s 1,000M and 1,500M at the 2010 ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships, was awarded Certificate of Merit for this quarter.

The ZESPRI^® Outstanding Junior Athlete Awards is organised by the HKSI and sponsored by ZESPRI^®, with support from the SF&OC and the HKSPA.  They recognise 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 voucher worth HK$2,500 and a certificate.