Page 21 - Sphere No.22 (Aug 2008)

HELPING TOMORROW’S STARS
C HILDREN showing promise in sports have been
given a big pre-Olympic Games boost thanks to
an A S Watson (ASW) scheme to help improve
standards and awareness.
The Hong Kong Student Sports Awards have so far
helped more than 2,000 youngsters from primary, sec-
ondary and special schools over the past three years.
This summer, before the Olympic Games begins, a se-
lect group of 30 outstanding students was sponsored
on a visit to the Chinese capital, Beijing, where they saw
some of the Olympic Games venues, together with top
training institutes used by the nation’s elite athletes.
The visit was a thrill for the students, who had a sneak
peek at the fabulous Bird’s Nest national stadium, sched-
uled to be used for opening and closing ceremonies and
major athletics events, and the aquatic centre, known as
the Water Cube, where swimming and diving competi-
tions will be held.
In addition, the students saw the top training institutes
in the city that have produced the current crop of out-
standing Chinese athletes.Visits to Beijing Sports Univer-
sity andTsinghua University were also on the schedule.
Throughout the year, ASW actively encourages par-
ticipation in sports through its award scheme.The 2007-
2008 academic year saw 800 talented athletes selected
for Sports Students Awards, which bring a cash scholar-
ship,a certificate,the chance to participate in a leadership
workshop and the opportunity to be selected for the
Beijing sports exchange tour.
“We hope this will encourage students to pursue their
dreams in sports and develop their potential to the full,”
said Dominic Lai ASW Group Managing Director.
Group, with the aim of getting to know customers and clients bet-
ter and to raise awareness about the various Hutchison brands.
The Westgate Mall in Shanghai was also the scene of three
totally different events – a squash tournament, a ping-pong
competition and one of fencing’s most prestigious events,
the Foil World Cup, featuring 119 people from 16 countries.
Brand awareness and sales were raised and the mall was also
more than happy with the increased volume of people passing
through its doors.
Over in the city of Chongqing, the anniversary of the