As the first Asian city to host the biennial World Rope Skipping Championships, Hong Kong showed its prowess by winning the World Cup and 90-plus medals, and breaking three world records. Funded by a HK$2.51 million donation from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, which also covers year-round school tours to promote the heart-healthy activity, the seven-day Championships for the world’s top skippers ended on a high note last night.
Officiating at the closing ceremony were the Club's Head of Charities Projects Rhoda Chan, Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man, FISAC-IRSF President Bram Herssens, FISAC-IRSF World Rope Skipping Championships 2014 Organising Committee Chairman Dr Patrick Ko, Hong Kong Rope Skipping Association President Professor Amy Ha, Hong Kong College of Cardiology President Dr Chan Kam-tim, Leisure and Cultural Services Department Chief Leisure Manager (Sports Funding) Kelvin Leung, Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Vice-President Herman Hu, Hong Kong Polytechnic University Dean of Students Professor Keith Chan and Hong Kong Delegation Honorary Manager Kenneth Fok.
Speaking at the opening ceremony last Thursday, Ms Chan said Hong Kong was immensely proud to be the first city in Asia to stage the event. “In line with the Jockey Club’s commitment to promoting healthy living, particularly to the younger generation, our sponsorship includes a school outreach programme and a Heart Health Ambassadors programme, which are designed to further promote heart-healthy habits and rope skipping in Hong Kong.”
This year, Hong Kong, with its largest-ever delegation of 159 athletes and coaches, won 90-plus medals. Local athlete Ho Chu-ting once again broke a world record in the men’s three-minute single rope endurance event, skipping 522.5 times. The home team also set new world records in the men’s single rope speed relay and the men’s double dutch speed relay. With its spectacular team freestyle, Hong Kong snatched the World Cup again following its triumph in 2010.
Over the past week, more than 1,000 rope skippers from 20 countries and cities jumped at the chance to be crowned winners through heats at the Hong Kong Coliseum and MacPherson Stadium. The Championships were organised by the International Rope Skipping Federation while this year’s event was hosted by the Hong Kong Rope Skipping Association, China, and the Hong Kong College of Cardiology.
To promote rope skipping and healthy living in the community, local medallists, along with other athletes, will be invited to give demonstrations and coach rope skipping teams in various primary and secondary schools in the coming academic year under the Jockey Club JUMP HIGH HONG KONG School Outreach Programme.
As a strong supporter of health promotion, the Trust earlier donated HK$18.2 million to the College of Cardiology to install more than 1,100 automated external defibrillators and boost heart health awareness in local schools.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world’s leading horse racing organisations, but also Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.95 billion in 2012/13. In addition, the Club is a major taxpayer, Hong Kong’s single largest by far, generating over HK$17.64 billion in 2012/13 for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.
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The Club's Head of Charities Projects Rhoda Chan (3rd right) joins Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Michelle Li (centre), FISAC-IRSF President Bram Herssens (4th left), FISAC-IRSF World Rope Skipping Championships 2014 Organising Committee Chairman Dr Patrick Ko (4th right), Hong Kong Rope Skipping Association President Professor Amy Ha (3rd left), Hong Kong College of Cardiology President Dr Chan Kam-tim (2nd right), Li Bing (2nd left), division chief of publicity, cultural and sports affairs at the Liaison Office of the Central Peoplea£á?s Government in HKSAR, Major Sports Events Committee Chairman William Ko (1st left) and Hong Kong Polytechnic University Executive Vice President Nicholas Yang (1st right) to officiate at the opening ceremony of the Championships. Ms Chan says in line with the Cluba£á?s commitment to promoting healthy living, particularly to the younger generation, its sponsorship includes a school outreach programme and a Heart Health Ambassadors programme, which are designed to further promote heart-healthy habits and rope skipping in Hong Kong.
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The Club's Head of Charities Projects Rhoda Chan (right) receives a souvenir from FISAC-IRSF World Rope Skipping Championships 2014 Organising Committee Chairman Dr Patrick Ko (left) at the opening ceremony.
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Hong Kong rope skippers won the World Cup in this yeara£á?s FISAC-IRSF World Rope Skipping Championships, funded by the Cluba£á?s Charities Trust.
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Local athlete Ho Chu-ting broke a world record in the mena£á?s three-minute single rope endurance event and was crowned the male overall champion.
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Rope skippers show off the spring in their steps.
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The Club's Head of Charities Projects Rhoda Chan (3rd right), Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man (5th right), FISAC-IRSF President Bram Herssens (5th left), FISAC-IRSF World Rope Skipping Championships 2014 Organising Committee Chairman Dr Patrick Ko (4th right), Hong Kong Rope Skipping Association President Professor Amy Ha (4th left), Hong Kong College of Cardiology President Dr Chan Kam-tim (2nd right), Leisure and Cultural Services Department Chief Leisure Manager (Sports Funding) Kelvin Leung (3rd left), Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Vice-President Herman Hu (2nd left), Hong Kong Polytechnic University Dean of Students Professor Keith Chan (1st right) and Hong Kong Delegation Honorary Manager Kenneth Fok (1st left) officiate at the closing ceremony of the Championships.
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