HKU admits eight outstanding athletes under Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme 2023/24

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) recognises the resilience and perseverance of young athletes. Through the "Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme", HKU has admitted eight emerging and outstanding Hong Kong athletes this year. They will be awarded the HKU Lee Shau Kee Top Athletes Scholarship.

Among the eight admitted athletes, studying the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) are Tse Ying Suet (badminton), Ho Sze Long (fencing), Charlotte Emily Hall (triathlete), Liam Martin Doherty (rugby), Lin Mingfu (long jump) and Wong Hoi Tung (table tennis); Lam Siu Hang (table tennis) will pursue a degree in Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSS); and Wong Yue Ching (para table tennis), will undertake a Bachelor of Arts (BA).

Professor Bennett Yim, Director of Undergraduate Admissions and International Student Exchange, expressed, "Since the launch of the 'Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme' two years ago, it has received enormous support and recognition from the sports community and we have received an overwhelming number of nominations. This year, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) is delighted to welcome a number of outstanding athletes with remarkable accomplishments in a variety of sports. As they are striving for peak performance in their sports careers, it is quite challenging for them to balance both athletic and academic development. HKU will do its best to provide learning support to the athletes, allowing them to fulfil their academic aspirations while continuing to flourish in the international sports arena."

The eight athletes are looking forward to further academic achievement at HKU. Tse Ying Suet, who represented Hong Kong in Badminton Mixed Doubles at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has played badminton for seventeen years including participating in three Olympic Games and winning numerous world-class championships. After seventeen years as a professional athlete, she is enthusiastic about returning to school. "I have heard from many members of the Hong Kong team that HKU offers a wide range of support and flexible arrangements to athletes. I am excited to be able to hone and equip myself through my studies at HKU while preparing for the 2023 Asian Games and 2024 Olympic Games." Ying Suet will enrol in the BBA programme and hopes to use her business knowledge to start a career in badminton or pet-related fields.

Also representing Hong Kong at the Tokyo Olympics is table tennis player Lam Siu Hang, who is going to study the BSS programme at HKU. He started his career as a full-time athlete at the age of 15 and has been ranked in the World's top 100 throughout most of his career. "Professional table tennis is a challenging sport which has helped me build resilience and become more mature." After the Tokyo Olympics, he is determined to return to school to further his academic pursuit. "The Faculty of Social Sciences at HKU offers an extensive and flexible curriculum, which allows me to explore a wide variety of academic areas that interest me." Siu Hang said, "Through the invaluable opportunities of off-campus learning and international exchange, I look forward to broadening my international perspectives. I hope to engage with various cultures, improve my teamwork and communication abilities, which will in turn, flourish in my future athletic profession."

Wong Yue Ching, a para table tennis player, will be admitted to the BA degree at HKU. Despite her suffering from connective tissue disease, not only did she attend mainstream schools, but also received long-term training at the Hong Kong Sports Institute every week and participated in many open tournaments. She earned two bronze medals at the 2022 Para Finland Open, as well as one gold and one silver medals at the 2021 Asian Youth Para Games in Bahrain.

Yue Ching is eager to join the HKU family and looks forward to continuing her journey with a dual commitment to athletic and academic growth. Her next goal is to bring honour to the University and Hong Kong by winning in the National Games and Olympic Games. In the meantime, she is passionate about reading and writing, and aspires to study Chinese Language and Literature to gain a deeper understanding and promote Chinese culture to the world. When it comes to her future, Yue-Ching dreams of becoming a teacher. Whether teaching sports or languages, she hopes to encourage others through her experiences and optimism and to live a positive life with a grateful heart. "I hope to share my experiences and inspire others to also believe in themselves and put forth their best effort," Yue Ching said.

Despite his achievements in fencing, athlete Ho Sze Long is eager to pursue both sports and academic development. Sze Long plans to deepen his academic knowledge and practice in the field of business through the BBA programme, so that he can continue to contribute to the field of fencing in Hong Kong by integrating business and sports. "Studying business administration at HKU will enhance my understanding and application in the commercial area, as well as my soft skills including time management and teamwork." said Sze Long, "I am looking forward to returning to school and embracing the opportunities and challenges of university life. I am also drawn to the spirit of the HKU family. I have seen sports events held by The University Sports Federation of Hong Kong, China (USFHK), and HKU is one of the universities that give out the strongest team spirit of all. I am eager to bond with other impassioned schoolmates at HKU, to work with them on future courses and seek academic excellence together."

Since the academic year 2022/23, HKU has introduced the "Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme" to admit athletes with outstanding sports accomplishments. The Scheme offers a variety of support to the athletes, including personal academic advice, flexible learning arrangements, and physical training. In addition, numerous scholarships are offered to assist in their development in their sports career, academic aspirations, and international exchange opportunities.