HONG KONG (SE): Traditional sports like basketball or football, and other outdoor activities, may lose their appeal for some young people who prefer spending their time online since such activities require greater physical strength. Traditional sports also face space constraints. A new generation of activities, such as Mölkky and Petanque, have a lower demand on space and the player’s physique, have gained popularity in recent years
The Caritas Wu Cheng-chung Secondary School has adopted these newly-emerged sports as part of its spiritual education as a stress-relieving routine for students and to instill positive values in them.
Karen Cheng Lam-lai, the coordinator of the school’s spiritual education team, said, “We hope that our students can find inspiration and ways to relieve their stress through the newly emerged sports, which can remind them that there are many ways they can see the significance of life and a positive future,” she said.
On October 7, there was a launching ceremony at the school, officiated by principal Kim Au Hoi-kin, for a newly-emerged sports promotion programme. Working in cooperation with the newly established Sports Association, ambassadors from the Caritas Wu Cheng-chung Secondary School will promote the new generation of sports to students of four primary schools, including SKH St. Matthew’s Primary School, Sheung Wan; SKH Chi Fu Chi Nam Primary School, Pok Fu Lam; Baptist Rainbow Primary School, Wong Tai Sin; and Chinese YMCA Primary School, Tin Shui Wai. The ceremony was joined by the principals, teachers and students of the five schools.
Au said many newly emerged sports are simple and easy to play and don’t require the player to have a strong physique. They are suitable for parents and children, as well as people of different nationalities to play together and are therefore good for encouraging communication.
The principal said that newly-emerged sports would be included in the school’s curriculum to help students discover their potential.
The school has organised two experience days for students, the primary school students of the above-mentioned four schools, as well as other visitors so they can try Mölkky, Kabaddi and other kinds of sports. The first experience day took place on 10.30am November 13, with the second scheduled from 3.00pm to 5.00pm on December 11.
Lo Yuk-kwong, assistant principal of the secondary school, said the programme is meant to help students be aware of the development trends in sports. He pointed out that more and more non-traditional sports will be included in Olympics, noting that skateboarding made its debut in the 2020 Summer Olympics while breakdancing events will appear at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Lo said newly-emerged sports can even be part of a career for students if they become dedicated players. The school has set up a scholarship to support them if they want to join international contests or receive professional training.
