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Over the past three months, The Jockey Club Sports PLUS Elite Athletes Community Programme (Sports PLUS), funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and organised by the HKSI, has held the annual roving exhibition entitled “The HKSI – Home of Champions”. The exhibition launched at the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo in mid-July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, and toured three other community venues: MOSTown in Ma On Shan, Maritime Square in Tsing Yi, and Citywalk 2 in Tsuen Wan.

In addition to allowing the public to experience the training routines of elite athletes and witness their sporting achievements through the roving exhibition, a special sharing session was hosted on the final day of the exhibition to foster closer engagement between Hong Kong elite athletes and the community. Cyclist Lee Sze-wing, fencer Ho Wai-hang, rugby sevens player Lee Ka-to and wushu athlete Lau Chi-lung, were invited to share their stories and officially conclude the exhibition.

During the sharing session, the four athletes exchanged experiences of competing against top athletes from the Mainland. Ho Wai-hang,  Lee Ka-to and Lee Sze-wing discussed their current training and expectations in preparation for the upcoming 15^th National Games (National Games). Meanwhile, Lau Chi-lung, who is currently recovering from injury, shared his thoughts on dealing with setbacks, emphasising that a positive attitude and determination are essential for athletes striving for their personal best. Lee Sze-wing, who at the 14^th National Games, won Hong Kong’s first ever gold medal in the women's individual road race event , has supported other Sports PLUS events.

She said, “The Jockey Club Sports PLUS Elite Athletes Community Programme, funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and organised by the HKSI has become a great platform for Hong Kong elite athletes to feel the support of the local public. This is a huge confidence booster for us. I’m very grateful to have competed against world-class athletes in various major competitions this year. Every time, we have to consider different strategies for different venues and opponents, and all the experience gained will be invaluable when competing in the upcoming the National Games. Being able to compete at our home ground undoubtedly gives us a greater sense of belonging. I hope to win the gold medal again amidst the cheers of the Hong Kong citizens."

Ho Wai-hang, the men’s epee individual gold medallist at the Asian Fencing Championships 2024, said, “I would like to extend my appreciation to the HKSI for inviting me to this meaningful community event. Through this sharing session, I was able to thank everyone for their support of myself and the whole Hong Kong fencing team. Being able to compete against top fencers from the Mainland again is truly a rare opportunity for me. My coach and I have discussed how to adjust my tactics accordingly. Competing on home turf in Hong Kong will definitely create an electrifying atmosphere — I look forward to sharing this grand event with Hong Kong citizens and am especially excited!”

Lee Ka-to, a key local figure in Hong Kong rugby sevens and  a two-time Asian Games rugby sevens gold medallist, also said, “It's rare to be able to compete in a familiar venue in this year’s National Games. I look forward to the Hong Kong audience recreating the vibrant atmosphere we had during the previous Hong Kong Sevens! In preparation for the National Games, the coach has made adjustments to the team lineup, hoping to adapt flexibly to the playing styles of different teams.”

Three-time World Wushu Championships gold medallist Lau Chi-lung also shared, “For wushu athletes, the National Games is undoubtedly a top-level stage. Although I regret not being able to compete this time, I’m thrilled for my teammates making their debut on this stage and have shared my own experiences to encourage them. I’ll also follow the HKSI medical team’s advice and focus on recovery, hoping to return to competition soon, and especially the Asian Games next year!”

To cheer for the athletes competing in the upcoming National Games this November, and the 12^th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9^th National Special Olympic Games of the People’s Republic of China in December, is part of the theme of the exhibition this year. To gather support from the public for the athletes, the exhibition featured a large cheering net, allowing citizens to write messages of encouragement for Hong Kong athletes on coloured cards. Over 8,000 citizens hung their cards on the display, adding colour to the words “Support” symbolising that the Hong Kong team will shine brightly at the National Games. Lee Sze-wing was deeply touched to see her supporters cheering for her, believing that a simple “Keep going” carried powerful encouragement. Ho Wai-hang was impressed by the message “Cheering for you! Stay strong for your dream!” — a reminder  that every athlete is fighting for their dreams. After years of effort, he finally had the chance to step onto the Olympic stage last year and fulfill his dream in his athletic career. This year, he has set the National Games as his goal, hoping that his perseverance will lead to success. Lee Ka-to encouraged himself with a motto on a message card “Treat every competition as if it were your last” as his athletic career has experienced many ups and downs. Facing an uncertain future, he plans to fully enjoy every competition. Lau Chi-lung considers “Effort leads to success” a fundamental truth, agreeing that there are no shortcuts to success, only hard work is the key to achieving it.

The annual “The HKSI – Home of Champions” roving exhibition concluded successfully after four stops, attracting over ten thousand visitors. Sports PLUS expressed their gratitude to the community for its support, aiming to strengthen connections between the community and the sports sector, and encouraged continued backing for Hong Kong athletes in future competitions.

About Jockey Club Sports PLUS Elite Athletes Community Programme

Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and organised by the HKSI, the Jockey Club Sports PLUS Elite Athletes Community Programme sets out to share the added values of sport with the wider community. It is also designed to increase awareness and raise support for Hong Kong’s elite athletes as they participate in major national, regional and international competitions in the coming three years. The holistic campaign targets every sector of the community and features sustained outreach through a varied programme of school visits, sports club outreach, hosted tours of the HKSI, exhibitions and other community engagement initiatives across Hong Kong.