The signing of the Memorandum of Collaboration with the Sichuan Institute of Sports Skill (SISS) was conducted on 1 March. This marks an important milestone in closer ties between the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and the SISS and provides a clear platform for cooperation in the area of sports science, sports medicine, and athlete education and whole person development. Having signed collaboration agreement with other major counterpart institutions in mainland China in the past, the HKSI will continue its drive to formalising its Asian links to enhance scientific sports training support for elite athletes.

To allow potentially talented youngsters to be directed earlier to sports training and identify more good athletes, the HKSI has put an increased effort to enhance its coordination and implementation of Talent Identification (TID) programme, based on its five-year strategic plan. Apart from using its expertise in elite sports training and sports science, the HKSI is also committed to strengthening exchanges with its international counterparts in the area of sport talent identification, with an aim to achieve further development in the field.

TID Programme was first launched in Japan in 2004 with significantly positive results. Two renowned founders of the programme, Mr Takahiro Waku, Director of Department of Information and International Relations of Japan Sport Council and Mr Takashi Katsuta, Senior Researcher/Visiting Professor of University of Tsukuba, were invited to host a symposium titled “Sport Talent Identification and Development” on 8 - 9 March.

The symposium attracted over 70 participants including local sport administrators, sports scientists and medical professionals, coaches and athletes. It served as an important milestone for knowledge exchange on TID between Japan and Hong Kong.

Jointly organised by the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (Federation) and the HKSI, the first Olympism Camp was held between 20 and 22 February at the Salvation Army Bradbury Camp, Cheung Chau attracted 35 elite athletes’ participation. The Hon Ma Fung-kwok SBS JP, Legislative Councillor representing the Sports, Performing Arts, Culture and Publication Functional Constituency, Ms Petty Lai, Acting Deputy Secretary (Recreation and Sports) of the Home Affairs Bureau, Mr Pang Chung SBS, Honorary Secretary General of the Federation cum Acting Chairman of the Hong Kong Olympic Academy and Mr Carlson Tong JP, Chairman of the HKSI, officiated at the opening ceremony on the first day.

The Olympism Camp aims at helping athletes to understand the importance of Olympism and Olympic values through lectures, morning exercises, team building activities and competitions. It is expected that athletes not only demonstrate these values in their sporting career, but also in their daily lives.

Cyclist-turned-coach Wong Kam-po and London Olympic bronze medal winning cyclist Lee Wai-sze were elected as the best male and female athletes of 2012 respectively at a presentation ceremony hosted by the Hong Kong Sports Press Association on 26 February. The awards serve as a recognition of the athletes’ efforts in international competitions as well as their sporting spirit. The HKSI would like to congratulate Wong and Lee on their achievements, and looks forward to their continued commitment to their sporting career.