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Club-funded awards recognise outstanding performances in Rio Paralympics

11/03/2016

The Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (JCAIAS) recognises athletes who earn glory for Hong Kong by achieving outstanding results in major games. A presentation ceremony for Outstanding Hong Kong Athletes at the Rio Paralympic Games was held today (3 Nov), following a similar celebration for Olympic athletes last month.

Club Steward Silas S S Yang joined Secretary for Home Affairs Lau Kong-wah, Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Institute Carlson Tong and President of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled Jenny Fung at the ceremony.

“The Club supports comprehensive sports development in the community. We are glad to help athletes with disabilities showcase themselves on the world stage while at the same time helping citizens learn about them and the sports they play,” Mr Yang said. “This can be a means to foster social integration of able-bodied and disabled persons, to promote sportsmanship and a can-do spirit, and so bring about more positive energy in the community.”

Mr Tong highly commended the performance of Hong Kong Paralympians at the Rio Games, saying “We are so proud to have Hong Kong athletes sustaining remarkable results in this ever more competitive international sporting arena. Also, I would like to express my gratitude to The Hong Kong Jockey Club for their long-term support and collaboration in nurturing Hong Kong athletes.”

The Trust has donated more than HK$18 million to the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) to support the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme for three years. Cash awards are provided to those achieving outstanding performances at the six major games, namely the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, Asian Para Games, National Games and World University Games. The amount awarded in relation to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games is over HK$1.8 million. The 18 Paralympic awardees include boccia gold medallist in the mixed individual – BC4 event, Leung Yuk-wing; swimmer Tang Wai-lok, who won the gold medal in the men’s 200M freestyle – S14 event; and wheelchair fencer Yu Chui-yee, who won silver in the women’s individual foil – category A and women’s epee team events.

“It was a long-awaited medal after going through 12 years of hard time," Leung Yuk-wing said. "I was too excited to learn the results in front of the stage. I have proven that my persistence is worthwhile.  I hope everyone will not easily give up their dreams and targets.  As long as we can persist, success will come one day.”  Leung also extended his gratitude for the support received, “I would like to thank the HKSI and The Hong Kong Jockey Club for providing athletes with this kind of recognition and support, which is truly an important motivation.”

Promoting Sports for All is one of three areas of strategic focus for the Club’s community contributions over the next few years. To promote a healthier and more energetic Hong Kong, the Club has long supported the building of sporting infrastructure and the professional development of Hong Kong athletes, so that they can showcase themselves on the global stage. Its total donations to the Hong Kong Sports Institute over the past 40 years exceed HK$700 million.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a not-for-profit enterprise dedicated to community betterment. Through its integrated business model of world-class racing, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charity and community contribution, the Club generates substantial economic and social value and assists the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2015/16 the Club donated a record HK$3.9 billion to charity and paid a record HK$20.9 billion in tax. It is Hong Kong’s largest single tax payer and one of the world’s largest charity donors. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.

Club Steward Silas S S Yang says the Club has been supporting comprehensive sports development in the community. The Club is pleased to help athletes with disabilities showcase themselves on the global stage, and to help citizens learn about them and the sports they play.
Club Steward Silas S S Yang says the Club has been supporting comprehensive sports development in the community. The Club is pleased to help athletes with disabilities showcase themselves on the global stage, and to help citizens learn about them and the sports they play.

Club Steward Silas S S Yang (back row, 4th left), Secretary for Home Affairs Lau Kong-wah (back row, 5th left), Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Institute Carlson Tong (back row, 5th right) and President of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled Jenny Fung (back row, 3rd left) join recipients of the Paralympic incentive awards at the ceremony.
Club Steward Silas S S Yang (back row, 4th left), Secretary for Home Affairs Lau Kong-wah (back row, 5th left), Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Institute Carlson Tong (back row, 5th right) and President of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled Jenny Fung (back row, 3rd left) join recipients of the Paralympic incentive awards at the ceremony.

Photos 3/4:<br>
Group photo.
Photos 3/4:
Group photo.


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