Visiting mainland Olympians pose for a group photo with Timothy Fok Tsun-ting (front, 4th right), president of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong China, and other guests after their arrival in Hong Kong, Dec 3, 2021. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
Editor's note: The Chinese mainland's Olympian medalists are visiting Hong Kong from Friday to Sunday, during which time the top athletes will meet groups of residents. China Daily spoke to members of the sport sector in the city before the visit. In the second installment of a series on the impact of the delegation's visit on the city's sports development, this is what three prominent Hong Kong sporting figures, Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, Li Ching and Lobo Louie Hung-tak had to say.
What are your expectations for the visit of mainland Olympians?
Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, president of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.
Fok: We are thrilled by our national Olympians visiting Hong Kong, as their success inspires our own and affirms the bond with our community. Our family will be there to support them, and our Olympic Committee will be giving a reception in their honor.
Li: The delegation's visit will prompt more Hong Kong young people to play sports as they will see it as a cool thing. It will also be beneficial to the cultivation of sports talent and the development of sports-related industries when more people are participating in sports.
Louie: Every time the mainland Olympians visit Hong Kong after the Games, they are warmly welcomed by Hong Kong people. I think sports competition is a kind of culture that can help athletes and residents of the two places understand each other.
How will such exchange activity affect the city's sports development?
Fok: Sporting exchanges between sportsmen and women are always fruitful. We admire our athletes whether they are from our home country or our home city. We are one as a people and we will back each other in sports and in all endeavors. Our China is a sporting power, and Hong Kong is blessed to have our homeland as our partner and guide.
The delegation's visit not only shows the nation's care for Hong Kong, but also rekindles the Olympic spirit and the spirit of working united in sports among Hong Kong residents again. I believe it will drive Hong Kong forward in both professional and mass sports in the future.
Li Ching, coach of Hong Kong women's table tennis team
Li: The delegation's visit not only shows the nation's care for Hong Kong, but also rekindles the Olympic spirit and the spirit of working united in sports among Hong Kong residents again. I believe it will drive Hong Kong forward in both professional and mass sports in the future.
Hong Kong athletes' historic achievements on the Tokyo Olympic Games (one gold, two silvers, and three bronzes), What changes did you observe in the city's sports atmosphere?
Fok: The Tokyo Games 2020 were a watershed for Hong Kong. We were ecstatic to see the surge of enthusiasm in knowing we will have many more future champions because of the inspired feats we witnessed in Tokyo.
Louie: Hong Kong people have been rejoicing and appreciating the athletes' perseverance and hard work, and fill the community with positive energy. Since the Tokyo Olympics, the Hong Kong Sports Institute received HK$300 million ($38.48 million) in funding, which will help promote science education and let Hong Kong youths have a comprehensive understanding of sports, and related science and technology, and apply it in their regular exercises.
Li Ching, coach of Hong Kong women's table tennis team
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Li: The community saw more people starting playing sports. In the long run, it will have a positive influence on the cultivation of sports talents and development of sports-related industries.
What are your suggestions and expectations on future collaboration between Hong Kong and the mainland sports sectors?
Li: I was glad to hear Hong Kong will co-organize the 2025 National Games with Macao and Guangdong province. I also learned that the Hong Kong Sports Institute had signed cooperation and exchange agreements with mainland sports colleges.
When the pandemic is brought under control, I believe the exchanges and communications in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will greatly improve the overall standard of sports in Hong Kong.
Fok: We see the 2025 National Games as a culmination and confirmation of the process in which communities can work together to create marvels. Our region has produced many great athletes. We can also be wonderful hosts, as we are to prove.
Lobo Louie Hung-tak, senior lecturer of the Department of Health and Physical Education, the Education University of Hong Kong
Louie: We look forward to co-hosting the National Games, which will further boost the sports participation in the city and enable the Hong Kong sports sector to exchange skills, tactics, physical training, sports research and medicine with athletes from different regions in the mainland.
Earlier this year, some of the nation's top aerospace scientists and architectural engineers also visited Hong Kong. How do you see these activities influencing the city's youth?
Fok: To have the best scientists and engineers visiting us is very heartening because that is a high recommendation. Our future innovators need to meet face to face with those who preceded them and are role models. By fostering tutorship, we can have the seniors, the experienced, pass down their knowledge and be mentors. Our future is splendid as our youths advance along the right path, succeed, and be the guiding light for our nation.
Li: The visit of top mainland experts to Hong Kong to share the experience of their career achievements could inspire Hong Kong youths to focus more on self-reliance and self-improvement.
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In the future, I hope experts in energy and agriculture will come to share their experiences (so that) Hong Kong students who are interested in these fields can have a comprehensive understanding of their development.
