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Organised by the Hong Kong Sports Institute (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 3^rd quarter presentation ceremony of the 2013 Sports for Hope Foundation Outstanding Junior Athlete Awards (OJAA) took place today at the HKSI to pay tribute to 15 junior athletes who have performed outstandingly in the past quarter.

Officiating guests of the ceremony were Ms Margaret Siu, Director of High Performance Management of the HKSI; Mr Tony Yue MH JP, Vice-President of the SF&OC; Mr Raymond Chiu, Vice-Chairman of the HKSPA and Miss Marie-Christine Lee, Founder of the SFHF.

A total of 31 athletes, coming from 15 sports including sports for athletes with disabilities were nominated this quarter, of whom 15 were selected as award winners.  The award winners were Ng Wing-yung (badminton), Chan Pui-hei, Choi Uen-shan, Ho Ka-po and Ho Tze-lok (squash), Siobhan Haughey (swimming), Leung Tsz-ching, Mak Tze-wing and Soo Wai-yam (table tennis), Ma Kwan-ching and Kikabhoy Rafeek (windsurfing), Lau Chi-lung and Mok Uen-ying (wushu), Li Ka-man and Wong Hiu-ying (swimming-Hong Kong Sports Association for the Mentally Handicapped, HKSAM).

The 15-year-old, up and coming swimming athlete, Siobhan Haughey made history by claiming the first world junior championship title for Hong Kong in the girls’ 100m freestyle event at the 4^th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in Dubai.  She finished the race in 54.47s and became the new event record holder.  In addition, she beat 70 competitors in the girls’ 50m freestyle event and won a bronze medal.

Eighteen-year-old wushu athlete Mok Uen-ying received her OJAA title by virtue of winning a gold medal at the 7^th Asian Junior Wushu Championships in group A women’s 42 forms Taijiqian.  Mok said, “I would like to thank all my coaches for their support, guidance and encouragement which helped me overcome all obstacles over the years.  This was also my final junior competition, I definitely have no regrets to finish with a gold medal.”

Mok’s teammate Lau Chi-lung also impressed the judges at the same Championships by winning a gold medal in the group B men’s Nanquan event.  Lau expressed his gratitude to SFHF for their generous sponsorship and support to young athletes.  Being one of the youngest award recipients in this quarter, the 13-year old is not afraid to dream big and hopes to become a full time athlete in the future.  “I hope I can represent Hong Kong in the future and bring glory home,” he said.

The eight-time OJAA winning squash player Ho Ka-po shared the limelight with her teammates Chan Pui-hei, Choi Uen-shan and Ho Tze-lok at the WSF World Junior Women Team Championships 2013 by beating 13 competitors and winning a bronze medal in the girls’ team event.  Their incredible determination has earned the whole team the prestigious OJAA this quarter which made Ho Ka-po a ninth-time winner of the title.

In addition, a total of eight junior athletes namely Lau Kwong (cycling), Liu Kai-sum (dancesport), Mok Sing-ying (figure skating), Leong Nok-huen and Nicole Maolana (finswimming), Chan Cheuk-shing and Tang Yu-hin (karatedo), Ng Chi-fung (wheelchair fencing - Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled) were awarded the Certificate of Merit for their excellent performance this quarter.

Organised by the HKSI with support from the SF&OC and the HKSPA as well as sponsorship from SFHF since 2012, 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 voucher worth HK$2,500 and a certificate.

Awardees’ Achievements in the 3^rd Quarter (PDF)