Hong Kong, China, January 28, 2024: The Hong Kong Olympic Fan Club of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) rolled out the “Passing the Torch On” programme at a kick-off ceremony on Saturday, January 27.
The programme focuses on the perseverance of athletes and the Olympic spirit to encourage young people to strive for self-improvement when facing adversity.
The officiating guests were Mr. Clarence Leung, Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr. Kenneth Leung, Vice Chairman of the Youth Development Commission, Mr. Timothy Fok, President of SF&OC, Mr. Edgar Yang, Honorary Secretary General of SF&OC, and programme ambassadors Cheung Siu Lun (fencing), Vivian Kong (fencing) and Lee Chun Ho (karatedo).
The athletes also shared their personal life experience to encourage young people to stay positive in the face of challenges. A number of other athletes from different sports were also invited to perform sports demonstrations.
The programme will offer a variety of sports-themed activities to encourage participants aged between 12 and 25 to develop their potential and positive thinking, and to enhance their social competence and self-confidence. It is subsidized by the Hong Kong SAR Government’s “Funding Scheme for Youth Positive Thinking Activities” and will run until June 2025.
Speaking at the ceremony, SF&OC President Timothy Fok said: “Young people are the future of our society. Cultivating proper values is of vital importance to a person’s growth and development.
“We hope that the programme can encourage the youth to learn the spirit of athletes, inspire them to become a new generation with resilience and responsibility, and equip them with the positive attitude to face ups and downs in life. We also hope that they will pass on this positive energy to others through sports.”
SF&OC Vice President Kenneth Fok, who is Chairman of the Hong Kong Olympic Fans Club, added: “Sporting activities not only improve our physical fitness but also enhance our mental strength. The career of an athlete is not always smooth sailing. I hope young people, inspired by the Olympic spirit demonstrated by athletes, will be able to overcome challenges with poise, and have no conceit in victory and no despair in defeat.”
(SF&OC)