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To mark the outstanding achievements in 2005 and to show appreciation to the hard work of the athletes over the years, an annual celebration together with the prize presentation for the A.S. Watson Group/Hong Kong Sports Institute Outstanding Junior Athletes for the first quarter of 2006 was held today at the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI).

Officiated by Dr Eric Li, Chairman of the HKSI and Malina Ngai, Director of Corporate Communications & PR, A.S. Watson Group, the presentation marked as a celebration of success of young athletes in 2005. Last year, more than 40 local junior athletes were nominated, with 12 outstanding sportsmen and sportswomen being honoured with "Outstanding Junior Athletes" and six presented with Certificate of Merit. They were presented at the function with certificate of merit by the HKSI, wishing them future sporting success and a photo frame as souvenir by sponsor, for keeping their unforgettable moments of glory.

Since the inauguration in 1999, the Awards scheme has recognised 52 athletes. "We are delighted to see the juniors who are previously recognised through the Scheme, sparkle in their sports and bring glory to Hong Kong in major international competitions. This encourages the up-and-coming juniors to keep up with their good work and strive for sporting excellence," said Dr Li. He also thanked A.S. Watson Group for providing support to the Awards scheme since 2003.

Badminton players Mong Kwan-yi and Chan Tsz-ka, Liu Tsz-ling of squash and Suen Ka-yi of swimming have been honoured A.S. Watson Group/Hong Kong Sports Institute Outstanding Junior Athlete Awards title for the first quarter of 2006 at today's ceremony. Certificates of Merit were also presented to Geoffrey Cheah of swimming, Szeto Shiu-yan and Chan Ye-ko of triathlon as a recognition of their remarkable performances.

Badminton players Mong Kwan-yi and Chan Tsz-ka claimed the title after winning a bronze medal in the Dutch Junior Open Championship held in March.

"The Award boosts juniors to strive for sporting excellence. I really appreciate to receive the honour and would like to thank my coaches, family and friends for their encouragement, guidance and support to me. I will keep working hard, aiming to gain a higher world ranking in the coming year," said 18-year-old Mong.

To focus on her sporting career, Mong turned to train full-time at the HKSI in 2004. She takes Olympic gold medallist, Gong Zhichao, as her role model and wishes to be as successful as Gong one day. "She has excellent quality and all-round skills despite her limitation in height, and she works very hard to upgrade her skills that made her success, her attitude enlightens me to work even harder to strive for the best," added Mong.

Chan Tsz-ka, 15, paired with Mong Kwan-yi, to win this Award, "I am very happy to win this Award which is a great recognition for my hard work and effort. I would like to share this honour with my coach in appreciation of his care and guidance over the past years," said fourth form student of Baptist Lui Ming Choi Secondary School.

With the forthcoming Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination, Chan tried hard to work out a balance between sport and studies, "I'm still young and would continue to enrich myself in both sport and studies. Thanks to my teachers and coaches. With their assistance and guidance, I am glad that I could manage well in both areas."

Liu Tsz-ling of squash, won over 40 players from 13 countries to clinch a bronze medal in the British Junior Open 2006 held in January which gave her a winning edge in this Award.

"I am surprised yet delighted to win the Award as there are many strong competitors for this quarter," said the 15-year-old player after knowing the result. Having begun formal training in 2001 after being identified in a local competition by her coach, she would like to thank her coach for his support, "Without his guidance and support, I could not make such a great progress. The honour is not only for myself, but also for my coach, family and those who support me."

The junior has set her sight on the Asian Junior Championships to be held in Hong Kong in 2008, "Competing in my homeland is encouraging, I will try my best to achieve outstanding performance," said the third form student at the Jockey Club Ti-I College.

Suen Ka-yi, as a first-time winner of this Award, has been excited to win this honour, "This is my first time to be nominated and I have never thought of winning the Award. This is a great encouragement for my pursuit in the upcoming competitions," said Year 1 Associate Degree student of the Hong Kong Baptist University, who captured a bronze medal at the 7th Asian Swimming Championships in March.

The 18-year-old junior started formal training in 1998 and represented Hong Kong in 2001 at the Kaohsiung International Age Group Swimming Invitational Competition where she clinched a silver medal and set a new meet record. But, to her, the most unforgettable moment was winning a bronze medal at the East Asian Games in Macau last year where she competed against Olympic silver medallist Luo Xuejuan.

Suen has set her sight to the upcoming major games, including the 2006 Doha Asian Games, 2007 Asian Indoor Games and 2008 Beijing Olympics. Riding on the success in the East Asian Games, she hoped to achieve more breakthroughs at these Games.

Tony Yue, Vice-President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) and Chu Hoi-kun, Executive Committee Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Press Association (HKSPA) also attended the presentation to present prizes to the recipients. Each of the recipients received a cash prize of HK$2,500, a sports gear voucher of HK$2,500 and a certificate of merit.

The occasion also showcased a workshop on "Financial Management – Theories & Application" which is hosted by Scarlett Pong, 1998 Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award winner and Managing Director of the Realchamp Asset Management Limited. Ms Pong shared with the athletes on personal financial planning and management, enriching their life skills knowledge outside sports.

Presented by the Hong Kong Sports Institute with the sponsorship of the A.S. Watson Group, as well as the support from the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and the Hong Kong Sports Press Association, the Awards scheme aims to recognise the achievement of local junior athletes on a quarterly basis.