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Hong Kong athletes with disabilities achieved outstanding results at the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games (APG), winning a total of 28 medals – 5 gold, 9 silver and 14 bronze.  At a ceremony held today, the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and Hang Seng Bank jointly awarded HK$590,000 under the Hang Seng Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (Scheme) to 25 Hong Kong medallists in 8 different sports. This latest payout boosts the total amount given to outstanding athletes under the Scheme to over HK$26.6 million.

Officiating guests at the ceremony included Dr Eric Li, Chairman of the HKSI; Dorothy Sit, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank (China); Tsang Tak-sing, Secretary for Home Affairs and Jenny Fung, Chairman of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled.

Dorothy Sit said, “For disabled athletes, it is a demonstration of great strength and will to compete, let alone win medals, at major sporting events. Para-sporting events are the ultimate expression of the power and perseverance that the athletes have developed to push the boundaries of physical achievement. Their determination and positive attitude provide excellent life examples for all of us. I thank Hong Kong’s para-athletes for their important contributions to local sports development and the ‘can-do’ spirit of our city."

Dr Li expressed his admiration for the excellent performance and sportsmanship of the athletes.  “In a tightly scheduled week in December last year, athletes strived to set new heights of achievement and brought honour to Hong Kong.  The athletes all had challenges to overcome – including, in some cases, existing injuries – but showed determination and focus to excel at the Games.  Not everyone won medals, but the outstanding efforts and never-give-up attitude displayed by all the athletes are equally valuable treasures.  The people of Hong Kong are very proud of their performance,” said Dr Li.

Hong Kong’s wheelchair fencing team bagged 3 gold, 6 silver and 7 bronze medals at the APG, topping all other participating teams and earning HK$350,000 in incentive awards – the highest total amount awarded to participants in a single sport.  Wheelchair fencing athlete Hui Charn-hung has been beset by injury since the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, but after 2 years of focused preparation for the APG, he put in an excellent performance to clinch 3 medals.  “During the past two years, I focused on injury rehabilitation in addition to preparing for the APG – I didn’t want to miss out on the Games.  I would like to thank the HKSI and Hang Seng Bank for the encouragement they offer to local athletes.  The Scheme is a very important morale booster, as I know that our efforts are supported and recognised by the community at large,” said Hui.

Sprinter So Wa-wai clinched 2 silver medals in the men’s 100m and 200m – T36 at the Games.  Although he did not bring home a gold medal, his accomplishments at the APG are still a source of pride.  “What matters to me the most is that I tried my best.  I was pleased to record my best times for 2010 in both events at the APG,” said So.  He will be leaving tonight with his teammates to New Zealand for the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships, a qualifying competition for joining the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The APG also brought breakthrough performances in archery and tenpin bowling, with Hong Kong athletes winning medals in these sports for the first time at a Major Games.  Tenpin bowler Wan Hon-yin did not let his amplyopia – a problem with vision – prevent him from winning gold for Hong Kong, while archer Wu Tung-sang earned a bronze medal for the city.  Wan said: “This is the first gold medal I have won at a Major Games.  It has boosted my competition confidence and encourages me to continue to work hard to further develop my skills.”

Organised by the HKSI since 1994, the Scheme provides cash awards to medal winners at Major Games. Hang Seng Bank began sponsoring the Scheme in 1996, providing additional cash incentives to local athletes who achieve outstanding performances at the Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games, the National Games and the East Asian Games. Last year, the Bank extended its cash incentives to medallists at the Asian Games and the APG to further support the development of local sports.

Table of Cash Incentives Awarded to Hong Kong Medallists at the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games (PDF)