Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) and the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee (HKPC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a long-term partnership aimed at advancing Para sports in Hong Kong and strengthening support for Para athletes.
The agreement, signed on Wednesday, brings together the strengths of higher education and the Para sports sector to promote professional education and applied research in the field within Hong Kong.
The MoU signing was witnessed by George Tsoi Kin-pan, commissioner for Sports in the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau; Paul Lam Kwan-sing, HKMU president; and Jenny Fung Ma Kit-han, president of HKPC. It was signed by Alan Au Kai-ming, vice president of HKMU and John Leung Lai-yin, vice president of HKPC.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tsoi said HKMU’s launch of the Master of Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Adaptive Sports — together with its collaboration with HKPC to integrate sports expertise and higher education resources — will enrich the curriculum and nurture professionals with specialized knowledge.
Tsoi said the MoU complements the government’s Para Athletes Career and Education Programme, which he described as providing support for Para athletes to reintegrate into society after retirement.
He expressed his hope that the initiative will encourage more institutions to offer diversified adaptive sports programs, and help foster collaboration and exchange among local universities in Hong Kong and institutions in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Au called the MoU a milestone for social inclusion, Para sports development, and the nurturing of professional talent.
“We will continue to create opportunities for athletes, establish practical platforms for our students and make long-term contributions to the development of inclusive sports in Hong Kong,” he said.
As an example, he highlighted that students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physiotherapy can participate in the “Sports Physiotherapy Exposure And Rehabilitation (SPEAR) Programme,” which offers hands-on experience serving Para athletes and applying clinical expertise in sporting environments.
Leung said the Para sports classification system is essential for fair competition because it determines athletes’ eligibility to compete.
He noted that the system is currently English-dominated, and said the collaboration with HKMU aims to raise public awareness of classification and integrate it into academic curricula.
The goal is to train independent, internationally qualified classification personnel, helping Hong Kong and the country strengthen participation and voice in the international Para sports arena, he added.
Under the MoU, the two parties will promote academic and research collaboration, including professional education through academic and training programs and joint applied research initiatives focused on Para sports and rehabilitation.
The partnership also includes efforts to broaden HKMU students’ experience in the Para sports industry through local and international partnerships, education activities and opportunities for professional engagement.
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HKMU and HKPC also plan to support Para athletes pursuing higher education through equitable, flexible and accessible learning pathways and to jointly promote Para sports-related programs, academic activities and conferences.
Para athletes from Hong Kong and China attended the signing event, including Daniel Chan Ho-yuen, a Para badminton athlete and guest speaker for HKMU’s newly launched Master of Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Adaptive Sports, as well as Para sailing athletes Foo Yuen-wai, Sylvia Leung Yuk-chun and Mark Poon Tze-ming.
