2023-05-21
AS Watson Group Hong Kong Student Sports Awards (HKSSA) held the 18th award presentation ceremony at Fortune Metropolis in Hung Hom today, under the theme “YOU ARE STAR” that inspires student-athletes to pursue their dreams with courage and shine like stars. HKSSA is the first and only sports award in Hong Kong that recognises numerous outstanding student-athletes from primary, secondary, and special schools for their excellent performance in sports.
Kevin Yeung Yun Hung, GBS, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, attended the ceremony and presented the awards to the student sports elites along with other distinguished guests. He encouraged the awardees to get ready for the challenges ahead and to be fearless in chasing their dreams, while striving to achieve their goals with perseverance.
Dominic Lai, Group Managing Director of AS Watson Group, delivered a speech at the ceremony, “Today, we’re thrilled to celebrate the 18th anniversary with a record-breaking 962 awardees. With over 80% of all primary, secondary, and special schools in Hong Kong, this award has become one of the largest athlete recognition schemes in Hong Kong since its establishment in 2005, having recognising the achievement of over 14,500 students in the last 18 years. We’re proud to see some of the awardees representing Hong Kong in international competitions, striving for a bright future for Hong Kong”.
Lai added that “It has been challenging for every student-athlete during the pandemic, with fewer chances to compete and practice. It is encouraging to see their perseverance in overcoming difficulties to receive this award. With the theme of ‘YOU ARE STAR’, I wish you all shine like a star not only on the sports grounds but also in academic fields and at different life stages.”
Kevin Yeung Yun Hung, GBS, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism said, “Apart from recognising the exceptional sports performance of students, AS Watson Group Hong Kong Student Sports Awards motivate young people to further develop their interests and potentials in sports and nurtures more elite athletes for Hong Kong’s future in the world of sports.”
Chiu Chung Hei, former member of Hong Kong Table Tennis team, and Cheng Ching-Yin, Men’s Champion of 2022 iQFOiL Asian Windsurfing Championships, were also invited to share their experience on stage to inspire students to pursue their dreams in the face of adversity. Both of them believe that every student can become a shining star on the sports grounds as long as to adhere to their dreams fearlessly.
With the theme of "YOU ARE STAR", HKSSA hopes to present a special gift to this year's awardees as recognition. Professional photo shoots were arranged for awardees to capture their athletic postures, highlighting their outstanding achievements in sports as shining stars the light up the future of sports. Sports portraits of awardees were displayed at the ceremony to encourage student-athletes to be confident and continue their sporting passions. Photos are also uploaded at the HKSSA webpage: https://ssa.aswatson.com/
