Media

As Hong Kong athletes made history at the Tokyo Olympics, The University of Hong Kong (HKU) celebrates and shares the values of perseverance, integrity, fairness and dedication in the pursuit of excellence. On this, the HKU Foundation is stepping up to provide awards and scholarships in support of our young athletes.

"HKU will continue to give our athletes full support so they can fly high in intellectual and lifelong developments," said Professor Bennett Yim, Director of Undergraduate Admissions and International Student Exchange.

I.  Scholarships for HKU student Olympians
HKU will award a $100,000 scholarship to each of the 3 current Sports Scholars who represented Hong Kong at the Olympics -- Ryan, Oscar and Hayley -- to support their academic and sports career developments.

Five HKU Sports Scholars participated at the Tokyo Olympics including alumni Fencers Coco Lin (BA(Landscape Studies) 2017) and Moonie Chu (BSocSc 2021) and three current sports scholars, namely Fencer Ryan Choi (Business), Triathlon Athlete Oscar Coggins (Engineering) and Windsurfer Hayley Chan (Arts). Hayley, who finished her personal best of eighth in her event at the Olympics, will continue training half-time and return to HKU to complete her studies.

Generations of HKU Sports Scholars have taken the lead in bringing pride to Hong Kong and HKU, including elite athletes such as Hong Kong long jump record holder Theophilus Chan, Hong Kong high jump record holder Cecilia Yeung, Hong Kong swimming record holder Alex Fong, who once held 9 Hong Kong swimming records, and Cado Lee, the first Chinese player in Japan Rugby League, to name a few.

2. Scholarships for Incoming HKU Sports Scholars
For this academic year (2021/22), HKU will offer scholarships totaling $500,000 to outstanding student athletes admitted through the Sports Scholarship Scheme. Other support includes residential scholarships, flexible curriculum, academic advising, international exchange, and subsidies for sports training and competitions, etc., thus enabling students to fully explore new opportunities and expand their horizons. In the past two decades, over 500 young athletes have joined HKU as Sports Scholars.

3. Direct Admission Scheme for Top Athletes
From the start of the academic year 2022/23, a new "Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme" will be launched, with competitive admission mainly based on sports achievements. Top achievers in sport are welcome to apply via this pathway to join the HKU family and will be able to choose to study in the four Faculties of Arts, Science, Social Sciences or Business and Economics. Further details will be announced in due course.

4. From the Olympians
Said Windsurfer Hayley Chan, who will return to HKU to complete her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Studies,“Thank you, HKU, for your support all these years, allowing me to realise my Olympic dreams. Although I did not get any medals at the two Olympic Games I participated in, I am proud that I gave my best. Sport has changed my life and I am grateful for the encouragement from the University. With the comprehensive support from HKU, I look forward to witnessing more fellow students strive for excellence in the world stadiums, to experience the Olympic spirit, and to enjoy the fun of sports.”

Fencer Ryan Choi,“Wow, truly grateful! I will save it up. When I retire from being a full-time athlete, this $100,000 can help me develop my other career.”

Triathlon Oscar Coggins, “Representing Hong Kong and HKU at the Tokyo Olympics was such an amazing experience and honour for me. I’m sure many young people were inspired by Hong Kong’s most successful Olympics. The funding I receive will help me continue my studies and qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.”

For media enquiries, please contact HKU Communications and Public Affairs Office: Ms Melanie Wan, Senior Manager (Media), Tel: 2859 2600 /email: melwkwan@hku.hk or Ms Rashida Suffiad, Senior Manager (Media), Tel: 2857 8555 / Email: rsuffiad@hku.hk.