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To encourage and acknowledge Hong Kong secondary schools in their efforts to provide enhanced and integrated education support for elite athletes, the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) has launched the “HKSI Elite Athlete-friendly School Network” and hosted the Launching Ceremony today at the Lecture Theatre of the HKSI Main Building.

The Ceremony was officiated by the Hon Tsang Tak-sing GBS JP, Secretary for Home Affairs and Mr Carlson Tong JP, Chairman of the HKSI. Other guests including Ms Philly Ching Suk-yee, Principal Education Officer (Curriculum Development) of the Education Bureauand representatives of the participating schools also shared the moment together in recognition of the Network.

Mr Tong expressed gratitude to the Network schools at the Ceremony. “The HKSI recognises the importance of school support in the development of world class athletes. Individual schools have long been very supportive in finding creative ways to enhance targeted educational support for Hong Kong elite athletes to allow them to pursue a dual career path in sport and in education. I am delighted that today over 20 schools share this dual career ideal and are joining the Network.”

Under the Network, the Schools will provide enhanced education support for the student-athletes including extra tutorials, make-up classes and flexible arrangements on study timetable, leave arrangements, examination schedules and other measures where appropriate. The HKSI will work closely with the Network Schools to facilitate athletes’ elite training and study needs, and to provide a platform to share experience in the provision of support to elite athletes among the Schools.

Mr Tong said, “The Network provides an excellent platform for us to share the best practices among the schools to provide the most adaptable support for our student-athletes, so that they can dedicate themselves to pursuing excellence in the international sporting arena for Hong Kong, without sacrificing their education.” He added, “I hope more schools will join the Network, creating a new culture in our society to encourage more gifted youngsters to join the ranks of the elite athletes and unleash their potentiality.”

World champion cyclist Kwok Ho-ting, who graduated from Lam Tai Fai College in 2006, shared the importance for an elite athlete to receive enhanced education support, “I was always provided with flexibility in rearranging assessment and examination if the school schedule clashed with my overseas competition. Thanks to my school principal, teachers and classmates, a supportive culture has been created that encouraged me to pursue my athlete career and academic pursuit at the same time.”

Squash athlete Choi Uen-shan who is studying in Form 6 at Heep Yunn School and won a gold medal recently at the 20th Asian Junior Individual Championship agreed with Kwok, saying, “The school teachers have provided me with individual tutorial support and the flexibility to submit the assignments. I appreciate very much for their care and recognition, and hope that the Network can encourage more schools to provide an environment that facilitate athletes’ dual career pursuit.”

The HKSI, as the Government’s elite sports training delivery agent, has been championing the whole-person development of elite athletes and working closely with various community agents to ensure and enhance the integrated support for elite athletes to pursue their sporting achievements, leading to a sustainable elite sports development in Hong Kong in the long run.

List of Participating Schools of the Network in the First Phase (PDF)