Press Release

HKBU celebrates student and alumni athletes’ remarkable performance at Olympic and Paralympic Games

Tuesday, 24 September 2024

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) organised the “Cheers to HKBU Olympians and Paralympians” sharing session today (24 September) to celebrate the exceptional achievements and remarkable performances of five HKBU student and alumni athletes at the Paris Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

The HKBU Olympians and Paralympians, namely students Chan Ho-yuen, Cheung Ka-long, Lo Wai-fung, Ma Kwan-ching, and alumna Ho Yuen-kei, achieved an impressive tally by clinching three gold and one silver medals at this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. Among the medallists are Chan Ho-yuen, who captured a silver medal in the Badminton Men’s Singles WH2 event; Cheung Ka-long, the reigning gold medallist in the Men’s Foil Individual event; and Ho Yuen-kei, who distinguished herself by claiming two gold medals in a row in the Boccia Women’s Individual BC3 and Mixed Pairs BC3 events.

Chan Ho-yuen, Cheung Ka-long, Lo Wai-fung and Ma Kwan-ching are currently studying in HKBU’s Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Physical Education and Recreation Management programme, while Ho Yuen-kei is an alumna of the Bachelor of Social Sciences in China Studies programme.

More than 200 guests, staff members and students of HKBU attended the event. Mr Paul Poon, Deputy Chairman of the Council and the Court, Mr Kevin Liem, Treasurer of the Council and the Court, Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor and Professor Martin Wong, Provost of HKBU presented special gifts to all the athletes to commend them for their unwavering dedication and exemplary performance. Scholarships were also awarded to student athletes in recognition of their efforts in achieving sporting excellence while pursuing academic studies.

Professor Alex Wai said that Hong Kong athletes achieved extraordinary success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer, and HKBU’s talented athletes played an important role in contributing to these glorious achievements.

Professor Wai praised all HKBU student and alumni athletes for exhibiting immense determination. They gave their best and fought hard until the last moment, embodying the true spirit of sportsmanship. Professor Wai expressed pride in their achievements and inspiration drawn from their perseverance and unwavering dedication to excellence. He also invited students, professors, or staff members, to embrace HKBU athletes’ Olympic spirit in the shared endeavour.

The student and alumni athletes spoke during the sharing session, recounting their inspiring journeys at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. They also shared their experiences of balancing sports and academic studies, as well as ways to manage stress, providing valuable insights and inspiration to the students.

HKBU is committed to promoting the development of sports in Hong Kong and providing comprehensive support to Hong Kong athletes. Over the years, the University has been conducting sport science research, and it offers comprehensive and diversified sport science and management programmes to nurture sporting talent for Hong Kong. In 2016, the University established the Elite Athletes Admission Scheme (EAAS), and in 2022, it introduced the Talented Athletes Direct Admission Scheme (TADAS) in response to the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme (SALSA Scheme) launched by the University Grants Committee. These initiatives aim to provide flexible study arrangements for outstanding athletes in Hong Kong.