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Cyclist Steven Wong and table tennis player Lee Ho-ching named as the Hong Kong Sports Institute Outstanding Junior Athlete Awards for the second quarter of 2006 following their remarkable sporting achievement during the period.

A presentation ceremony was held today (Wednesday) at the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) where the two juniors were awarded a cash prize of HK$2,500, a sports gears voucher of HK$2,500 and a certificate of merit. In addition, 10 athletes including fencer Chan Yin-man, Lau Hiu-man, Lau Hei-man, Lui Ching-yin, Leung Wing-fai, squash player Au Chun-ming and Lee Ho-yin, table tennis player Chiu Chung-hei, tennis player Chan Wing-yau and bowler Tsang Pak-kei, were presented a certificate of appreciation to recognise their outstanding performance from April to June 2006.

Steven Wong, who was born in Belgium, first started to receive formal training in 2004. He won a gold medal for Hong Kong at the 10th National Games held in October 2005 and continued to make brilliant achievements in the Asian Championships and European Junior BMX Championships held in May and June 2006 respectively where he clinched gold medals in both races.

"I am delighted to receive the award which serves as a recognition as well as a great motivation for me to work harder and strive for the best," said 18-year-old Wong. Riding on the success at the 10th National Games, Wong has set sight on the coming Asian Games as well as the Olympic Games and hopes to become the first Olympic BMX champion.

The second-time winner Lee Ho-ching was happy to receive the honour again. "I am grateful to receive the award again. This would not be possible without the support and encouragement from my teachers, coaches and family who have provided me tremendous help in both study and sport. I would like to share this honour with them in appreciation of their care and guidance over the past years," said the second form student from Diocesan Girls' School who won two gold medals at the ITTF World Junior Circuit.

Lee joined the sport in 2000 and began formal training in 2003. However, she first represented Hong Kong in 2002 at the East Asia Grand Prix Hopes Table Tennis Championships held in Japan. "Although I did not win any medal at such high level competition, this is a good experience for me to compete with top players from other countries."

Despite her young age, Lee has a target on the coming Asian Games as well as Olympic Games. "The Olympic gold medallist Zhang Yining has inspired me by her skills and attitude towards the sport and acted as a role model for me to train harder. I hope that I can be as successful as Zhang," added Lee.

Presented by the Hong Kong Sports Institute with 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.