The AS Watson Group Hong Kong Student Sports Awards (HKSSA), one of the largest athletic recognition programmes in Hong Kong, is commemorating its 20th anniversary this year. To celebrate this milestone, the 2024-2025 Award Presentation Ceremony was held at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, themed "Together, We Cheer On," valuing the journey over the outcome and applauding students’ perseverance and determination. With the participation and support of nearly 90% of local schools, the HKSSA has established itself as a prestigious accolade. By honouring one sports talent from each participating school, the programme has recognised nearly 17,400 exceptional student athletes to date. This year, HKSSA is breaking previous records in school participation and student recognition, commending nearly 1,000 student athletes for their commitment to sports, inspiring them to boldly embrace challenges.
Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson said, "Over the past two decades, AS Watson Group has been steadfastly committed to promoting the development of student sports in Hong Kong, witnessing the vibrant growth of youth athletics. This year's awards ceremony, themed "Together, We Cheer On,” is dedicated to celebrating the relentless pursuit and determined spirit of every student athlete. Their hard work and dedication not only reflect personal growth but also bring new hope and vitality to the future of Hong Kong sports. Let us join together in applauding the future of Hong Kong sports and work hand in hand to create even greater excitement ahead."
Over the years, HKSSA has recognised many well-known local athletes and Hong Kong teams representatives, including Shek Wai Hung, Vivian Ma Wing Yu, Cecilia Yeung Man Wai, Jacky Luen Tsz Yu etc. Among the 993 awardees this year, comprising 530 male and 463 female, while many of them have proudly represented Hong Kong on the international stage. Notable achievers include Emma Cook, who clinched the Women's 9-10 age group championship at the Philippines UCI Asian BMX Championships and secured the first runner-up position in the Women's Division of the China GDL Downhill Series in 2023; Kam Tsz Hin, who claimed the bronze medal in the Men's 48kg Taekwondo category at the East Asian Youth Games; and Ying Hei Yin, who emerged victorious in the Snowshoe Race Walking 200m event at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
Sports Icons Heartfelt Sharing and 20th Anniversary Surprises Unveiling
This year's ceremony was honoured to welcome guests including the "Wonder Kid," Mr. So Wa Wai, a distinguished Hong Kong Disabled Athletic Athlete, and the revered "Goddess of High Jump," Ms. Cecilia Yeung Man Wai, the Record Holder for Women's High Jump in Hong Kong. They shared their inspiring journeys with the awardees, encouraging them to believe in themselves and persevere in their dreams, even when faced with challenges along the way.
To commemorate this milestone, HKSSA proudly unveiled the upcoming launch of the "Physical Fitness" Mobile Truck set to debut in June. This mobile truck will tour campuses and communities, showcasing the athletic accomplishments and progress of past awardees. Featuring various fitness assessments, it will provide tailored sports recommendations based on students' potential, promoting an active lifestyle and inspiring individuals to embody the core ethos of athletes: the courage to challenge oneself and resilience in adversity. The initiative also encourages the public to continue supporting the development of young athletes. Additionally, professional photo shooting was arranged for all awardees. The portraits were exhibited during the ceremony and will be displayed on the forthcoming mobile truck, offering a glimpse into the athletes' confidence and determination.
The portraits have also been uploaded to the HKSSA webpage: https://ssa.aswatson.com/
HKSSA also meticulously organises an annual "Sports Exchange Tour" to provide selected awardees with valuable opportunities for sports and cultural exchange. This year, students will visit Malaysia, the traditional badminton country, where students will tour local sports training facilities, students and engage in exchanges with local athletes.
Survey Reveals: Exercising with Family & Friends Enhances Life Satisfaction
AS Watson Group conducted a survey in February, over 2,000 primary and secondary school students were interviewed to explore the impact of sports on mental health. The findings highlighted that playing sports with others significantly enhances personal life satisfaction, with an average life satisfaction index of 82.9, over 10 points higher than those who never exercise with others. Remarkably, among students who “regularly exercised with others”, nearly 85% agreed that exercise improves their social skills. More than 80% of them also acknowledged that exercise improves mental health and resilience to stress, showing a substantial 30% increase compared to those who exercised alone. The overall survey shows the profound benefits that exercising together greatly enhances social skills, mental well-being, stress management, and overall life contentment. Therefore, we encourage everyone to actively cultivate exercise habits with family and friends, fostering a healthier and happier lifestyle.
