ASIAN YOUTH AND H.K.A.A.A.
OVER the holidays I met Mr. Kwan Kee, chairman of the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association (HKAAA), and Dr. Laura Lo, director of Chinese Mainland Affairs of the Chinese Mainland Affairs Office at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.
Also present was Dr. Philip Ella Juico, president of the Philippine Athletic Track and Field Association.
We discussed the third staging of the Asian Youth Athletics Championships, which will be held in Hong Kong from March 15 to 17. Thirty national teams, including the Philippines, have already confirmed their participation. Doha and Bangkok hosted the last two events.
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THE HKAAA started in 1951 and organizes the Standard Chartered Marathon, which is participated in by 70,000 runners every year.
According to its web site, the association’s objectives are:
■ To promote the sport of athletics in Hong Kong, including track and field, road races, crosscountry and race walking;
■ To establish and provide a development spectrum for athletes from the grassroot leading to elite level;
■ To select athletes in the sport to represent Hong Kong in Olympic Games, Asian Games and World, Asian and Regional Championships, as well as overseas international competitions;
■ To establish and provide systematic training to a national squad of athletes, at both junior and senior levels;
■ To establish systematic structure and trainings for coaches, judges and officials;
■ To organize domestic and international competitions; and
■ To support and coordinate athletic activities among member-clubs.
HKAAA clearly focuses on not just the elite
athletes and serious competitors but also those who use sports as a form of recreation and for health, fitness and wellness.
Next week, we take a look at how young does the HKAAA get their youth started in cross country, road races and race walking and the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.