Empowering seniors: a new sports association to energise older adults
The SAOAHK holds an inaugural ceremony at EdUHK on 27 July. The association was founded to promote active ageing in Hong Kong. Officiating at the ceremony are, from left to right: Vice President (Research and Development) Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Dr Lobo Louie Hung-tak from HPE, Dr Lam Ching-choi, Dr Carman Leung Ka-man from HPE, Mr Nicholas Chan, and Dr Claudia Wong Ming-yu from HPE.
Dr Leung says SAOAHK is aimed at promoting sports and physical activities among older adults and raising their overall quality of life.
Mr Chan thanks the support from all parties, which has enabled the SAOAHK to attract like-minded individuals to implement the national fitness and Healthy China 2030 goals.
Sports Association for Older Adults in Hong Kong, China (SAOAHK) held its inauguration ceremony on EdUHK’s Tai Po campus on 27 July. Founded by Dr Carman Leung Ka-man, Associate Head of the Department of Health and Physical Education (HPE), and Mr Nicholas Chan Hiu-fung, Hong Kong Deputy to the National People's Congress, SAOAHK strives to promote active and healthy ageing in Hong Kong and to raise the overall quality of life of older adults.
SAOAHK was founded to enhance the promotion of physical and sports activities for older adults, aiming to improve their quality of life. The association also seeks to connect sports professionals with older sports enthusiasts to provide sports-related services. Additionally, it will train older sports talent, strengthen research and exchanges related to physical and sports activities for older adults in Hong Kong and beyond, and assist in organising sports events for older adults.
Officiating at the ceremony were Vice President (Research and Development) Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, SAOAHK founders Dr Carman Leung, Mr Nicholas Chan, and HPE Assistant Professor Dr Claudia Wong Ming-yu, along with SAOAHK Board Members Dr Lam Ching-choi, a member of the Executive Council, and Dr Lobo Louie Hung-tak, Senior Lecturer of HPE. Other Board Members include EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-kin, Legislative Council member Hon Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, and Dr Patrick Yung Shu-hang.
“Facing a rapidly ageing population, it has become crucial to help our senior citizens embrace an active lifestyle. I am delighted to see the establishment of SAOAHK and look forward to the association’s promotion of sports among older adults. This will enable them to build a healthy social network and facilitate exchanges between the elderly and like-minded individuals from different regions,” said Dr Leung at the inauguration ceremony.
As a member of the association board, Professor Chan expressed his hope that the association would gather older adults interested in sports activities, help maintain their physical and mental health, and create a community environment conducive to a healthy lifestyle for the elderly. “This will also pave the way for the University to promote the ‘Health and Wellbeing’ sustainable goal in Tai Po District and research work in our Longevity Research Cluster,” he said.
Mr Chan, who frequently engages in light volleyball activities with older adults, expressed gratitude for the support from all parties, which has enabled SAOAHK to attract like-minded individuals to implement the national fitness and Healthy China 2030 goals. Dr Lam, who is deeply concerned about the health of the elderly, hopes SAOAHK can connect different stakeholders to jointly promote sports and active ageing for older adults.
The SAOAHK’s founding ceremony coincided with the two-day Grand Finals of the Light Volleyball Competition for Older Adults on 26 and 27 July. Click here to read the story about the competition.
