EdUHK Hosts Charity Ping Pong Tournament to Advance Grassroots Sports and Community Inclusion
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) hosted the Charity Ping Pong Tournament yesterday (12 July) at Grantham College of Education Past Students' Association Whampoa Primary School, marking the conclusion of the year-long EdUHK Ping Pong @ School Education Programme.
The programme was launched in July last year, led by Olympic bronze medallist in women’s team table tennis, Ms Lee Ho-ching, together with an experienced coaching team and the EdUHK student team. To date, it has partnered with over 35 local primary schools, offering table tennis courses to nearly 1,000 students, including non-Chinese speaking students and those with special educational needs. In addition to teaching basic skills, the courses also introduce the cultural significance of table tennis as China’s national sport, fostering students’ interest in physical activity and promoting the spirit of inclusion in sport.
EdUHK organised the charity tournament to further the achievements of the programme and advance grassroots sports education. It featured 12 institutional and community teams who demonstrated skill and determination. The three‑hour event concluded with the presentation of team awards (see attached table).
After this, an award ceremony and guest exhibition match were held. Officiating guests included Under Secretary for Education, HKSAR Education Bureau, Dr Jeff Sze Chun-fai; Deputy Chairman of The Education University of Hong Kong Foundation, Professor Terence Chan Ho-wah and Treasurer, Ms Imma Ling Kit-sum; EdUHK President, Professor John Lee Chi-Kin; Vice President (Administration), Dr Tom Fong Wing-ho; Assistant Vice President (Institutional Effectiveness), Mr Edmond Kuo Hoi; Director of Alumni Affairs and Development, Ms Judy Kong Ka-wai. Also present to show support were Olympic table tennis women's team bronze medallists, Ms Doo Hoi-kem, and renowned artist Mr Ruco Chan Chin-pang. They joined students and young people with special educational needs, encouraging inclusion through sport.
In his speech, Dr Sze remarked that physical education played a vital role in nurturing students’ well-being and character, instilling values such as perseverance, teamwork, and the pursuit of personal growth. He noted that the Education Bureau had long encouraged schools to enrich students’ learning beyond the classroom through diverse experiences in sports, arts, and culture. Looking ahead, he expressed hope that more educational institutions, community groups, and enterprises would work together to strengthen grassroots sports development, ensuring equal opportunities for students from all backgrounds to learn and thrive.
Professor Lee expressed his gratitude to the Education Bureau, partner schools and the community for their support. “Over the past decade, EdUHK has remained committed to the principle of the ‘Education-plus’ approach and now by the vision of ‘Education Futures’, EdUHK has remained steadfast in promoting whole-person development and contributing to social progress. As an Elite Athlete-friendly university, we support sportswomen and men in pursuing dual-track development in both academia and sports, encouraging them to strive for excellence,” he said. He added that the day’s event reflected the University’s commitment to physical education and served as a special tribute to the 10th anniversary of its retitling.
After the award ceremony, guests joined students and young people with special educational needs in an exhibition match, played out in a lively atmosphere and drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.
This tournament marked the successful conclusion of the Ping Pong Players @ School × EdUHK Ping Pong Education Promotion Programme, while highlighting the University’s commitment to grassroots sports education and social inclusion. By bringing together support from across the community, the event created equal opportunities for children to learn. Looking ahead, the University will continue to uphold its mission of whole-person development, nurturing the next generation to excel in both academia and character.
“The Charity Ping Pong Tournament” Awards
- Gold Cup Champion — Bank of China (Hong Kong)
- Gold Cup First Runner-up — Hong Kong Fire Services Department
- Gold Cup Second Runner-up — The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited
- Gold Plate Award — Hong Kong Police Force
- Silver Plate Award —Northcote College of Education Past Students' Association (Team A)
- Bronze Plate Award — Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) Limited
- Merit Awards — Education Bureau, EVI Services Limited, Henderson Land Development Company Limited, Chow Tai Fook Life Insurance Company Limited, TAL Apparel Limited, and Northcote College of Education Past Students' Association (Team B)
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EdUHK Hosts Charity Ping Pong Tournament to Advance Grassroots Sports and Community Inclusion
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