CUHK
News Centre

Hong Kong sent the largest delegation ever to participate in the 18th Asian Games held in Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia and brought home a record high of 46 medals. 37 students and alumni from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) participated in various events in the Games, winning 12 medals, comprising 1 gold medal, 4 silver medals and 7 bronze medals. To recognise the painstaking efforts of CUHK athletes, the University hosted a celebration party on 3 October. Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Dennis K.P. Ng, Pro-Vice-Chancellor/Vice-President, Professor Edwin H.Y. Chan, Associate Vice-President, teaching staffs, students and alumni of CUHK showed up for this joyful occasion to congratulate the athletes on their outstanding achievements in the Games.

Students and alumni from CUHK participated in various events in the Games, including squash, cycling, swimming, table tennis, athletics, triathlon, rowing, bridge, basketball, water polo, volleyball, softball, badminton, hockey, rugby sevens, women’s football, judo, archery, gymnastics and karate. Among them, nine medalists (six students and three alumni) are CUHK members. Squash player Lee Ka Yi won gold in the women’s team event while Ma Wing Yu achieved a silver medal in the cycling (track) women’s team sprint. Swimmer Camille Cheng took one silver medal and two bronze medals in women’s medley relays. Table tennis player Lee Ho Ching won bronze medals in both the women’s team and mixed doubles events. The women’s 100m hurdles bronze medal went to Lui Lai Yiu. Choi Yan Yin won bronze in the mixed triathlon. Rower Cheung Ming Hang, alumnus, won bronze in the men’s lightweight eight. Ho Hoi Tung and Koo Hor Yung, both alumni, joined hands in the bridge super mixed competition and brought home two silver medals. 

Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK said, “CUHK has long been an active supporter of local sports development. Since 2001, we have launched the ‘Sports Scholarship Scheme’ to encourage members of the Hong Kong National Squad, Junior Squad or the elite athletes in the Hong Kong Secondary Sports Federation to study at CUHK.” 

“CUHK has always put emphasis on students’ all-round development and devoted resources to strengthen sport activities and facilities in fostering an energetic campus. It has been one of our major goals to promote positive psychology in the University and we believe that sport has a part to play. Sport leads to better health, both physically and mentally. It helps students to build a positive attitude towards life through team spirit, resilience and problem-solving, enabling them to rise above the challenges that they may face in life.” 

Comprehensive support to student athletes

CUHK provides full support and flexibility to student athletes, especially full-time elite athletes from the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI), admitted through the CUHK-HKSI Memorandum of Understanding on the Elite Athletes Study Programme. The maximum study period for student athletes is extended to eight years for full-time undergraduate studies, giving them the flexibility in the curriculum to better accommodate student athletes’ intensive training and competition schedules. The University also arranges a mentor for each of the admitted student athletes to support their academic work, and communicate with administrative units in order to arrange general adjustment to university life whenever necessary. There is also a sports research clinic which provides doctor consultation sessions, an injury prevention workshop, clinical sports trainer sessions and team on-field support, such as medical assistance, injury prevention, rehabilitation exercise, and pre-game and post-game preparation to university team members.