Hong Kong Student Sports Awards Recognising a Record Number of over 700 Student Sports Talents

A.S. Watson continues to lead in corporate initiative to promote local sports culture preparing society for 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2009 East Asian Games in Hong Kong

Hong Kong (3 March 2007)

 
 
 
 
A.S. Watson Group Hong Kong Student Sports Awards 2006-2007 (SSA) is recognizing a record number of 768 talented student athletes, an increase of 25% from last year and with almost 65% of all local schools in Hong Kong participated. At the award presentation today, Mr Chris Wardlaw, Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower, and Mr Dominic Lai, Group Managing Director of the A.S. Watson Group presented awards to winners from 768 primary, secondary and special schools. Over 1,800 school principals, teachers, parents and family members witnessed this important moment of Hong Kong's future sports stars.

In addition to his official capacity, Mr Wardlaw as an outstanding elite sportsman himself is indeed a role model for the student winners. In his former career Mr Wardlaw was Head Coach of the Australian Track and Field Team at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Mr Wardlaw remains a keen distance runner having formerly represented Australia in the 10,000M and marathon at the 1976 and 1980 Olympic Games. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Wardlaw has not only shared his personal experience in sports with the students, but also encouraged parents to support their children in taking part in various physical education related extra curriculum activities in order to help them develop physical competence and positive attitudes. Mr Wardlaw also encouraged students and said, "given the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the hosting of Olympic Equestrian Events in Hong Kong, I encourage you, the budding athletes to read more about releveant news or articles, and challenge yourselves to set goals in a bid to excel in the sports you pursue, and represent Hong Kong one day."

Mr Dominic Lai, Group Managing Director of A.S. Watson Group, the organizer and sponsor of the award, expressed at the ceremony, "we are pleased that this Award receives overwhelming response. There were 616 nominations last year, and this year we received 768 nominations which is a record breaking result. This reflects the enthusiasm of schools to promote a sporting culture. These student athletes do not only demonstrate talents in sport, according to their school principals and teachers, they are usually also good leaders, have positive attitude, and willing to serve. Through the Award, we hope to encourage them to pursue their dream in sport, challenge their own potential and nurture an active and healthy generation for Hong Kong."

The A.S. Watson Group Hong Kong Student Sports Awards (SSA) is the first of its kind in Hong Kong open to all local primary, secondary and special schools. Instead of just awarding the best of the best from all schools, the SSA is extended to award one sports talent nominated by each school every year. The Award was launched in 2005 and continues to act as a corporate drive to help build an active sporting culture leading to the forthcoming 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as the 2009 East Asian Games to be hosted by Hong Kong.

To support the youngsters, the organiser has also arranged Yu Chui Yee, 2004 Paralympics Wheelchair Fencing & 2006 FESPIC Wheelchair Fencing Gold Medalist; Chan King Yin, 2006 Asian Games Windsurfing Gold Medalist; and two of the first SSA award winners, So Wai Kei and Siu Yan, as masters of ceremony. They also take the opportunity to share with the students the endurance and hard work they have dedicated behind the glittering gold medal they received, and as big brother and sister, the challenging process they have gone through and the valuable experience they have gained at the 1st SSA.

Among the 768 award winners, 385(51.7%) are from primary, 346(43.6%) from secondary and 37(5%) from special schools. There are 400 boys and 368 girls. In the primary section, the youngest winner is an eight years old, a primary three student. In the secondary section, some of them are already Hong Kong team members representing the SAR in international competitions. The 37 special school student winners are outstanding athletes in various sports including track and field and swimming, some of them are Hong Kong team members as well.

Over half of the award winners participate in track and field (52%) and other major sports played among the 768 student winners are swimming (29%), basketball (15%), soccer (8%), table-tennis and badminton (each 7%), volleyball (8%), gymnastic and rugby (each 3%). Another 22% has outstanding performance in other sports like wushu, tchouk ball, ice hockey, windsurfing, fencing, cycling, taekwando, tennis, squash, triathlon and duathlon, etc.

The A.S. Watson Group Hong Kong Student Sports Awards is supported by Education & Manpower Bureau, Home Affairs Bureau, Social Welfare Department, Association of Principals of Government Secondary Schools, Hong Kong Association of Heads of Secondary Schools, Hong Kong Subsidised Secondary Schools Council, Union of Heads of Aided Primary Schools of Hong Kong, Union of Government Primary School Headmasters & Headmistresses, Subsidised Primary Schools Council, Hong Kong Special Schools Council, The Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation, and The Outstanding Young Persons Association.

Details of the awards

Each award winner is presented:
  • An Award Certificate
  • Cash Incentive of HK$500
  • Opportunity to participate in a leadership workshop specially organised for award winners
  • Opportunity to be selected for a sports exchange tour to Beijing during summer vacation (subject to screening)
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    About A.S. Watson Group (ASW)

    A.S. Watson Group (ASW) is a Hong Kong-based international retail and manufacturing company. With a history dating back to 1828, ASW now operates in 36 markets worldwide with over 7,700 retail stores running the gamut from health & beauty, luxury perfumeries & cosmetics to food, electronics, fine wine and airport retail arms. In Hong Kong, its retail portfolio includes some household names such as PARKnSHOP, Watsons Your Personal Store, Fortress and Watson's Wine Cellar. ASW employs over 98,000 staff and is a member of Hutchison Whampoa Limited.

    As a caring corporate citizen, A.S. Watson's charitable community-based initiatives address a range of social needs, from youth education and sporting events to environmental conservation and price reduction campaigns for the elderly. A.S. Watson has been the awardee of the Caring Company logo by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service since 2002.

    On the sports front, A.S. Watson has been keen supporter in promoting local sports development through a range of initiatives including the establishment of Watsons Athletic Club in 1989; sponsorship of the Outstanding Junior Athlete Awards organised by the Hong Kong Sports Institute to recognise local young athletes who strive for excellence in sports; title sponsorship of the annual Watsons Water Champions Challenge tennis tournament, and many other local track and field events.

    For further information about A.S. Watsons Group, please visit: www.aswatson.com

    For media enquiries, please contact:
    Ms Teresa Pang, Corporate Communications Manager of A.S. Watson Group
    Tel: 2606 8927
    Email: TeresaP@asw.com.hk

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