Being an athlete in Hong Kong is not easy. Unlike in the United States, Hong Kong athletes are always struggling because of poor government funding.

The US government backs student-athletes with hi-tech equipment, coaches and university degrees to ensure their future when they retire from sport.

Sadly, a degree is a luxury for Hong Kong student-athletes.

We have no such guarantees about retirement and so worry about what we will do to survive.

That's why many of my teammates are leaving. They don't like the idea of glory one day and becoming dustmen the next.

Lack of government support and provision of education are why Hong Kong athletes have trouble succeeding internationally.

Fung Tik-lam, Jockey Club Ti-I College

Learning to be a survivor

Even though we go to school every day, teachers cannot teach us everything we need to know in life, for example, experience. We can only get it by ourselves.

All students learn the same things at school.

But to be outstanding, we need to have extra knowledge and techniques. An active student should take every opportunity to learn. Even when we fail, we can be courageous and learn from our mistakes.

All bosses want their employees to be alert, so workers should make sure that they stay competitive.

Fung Sau-wai, The Chinese Foundation Secondary School

Disaster brings out best in people

Reports after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan told of how calm and strong the people had been in the face of disaster.

But then came the news that staff at a Fukushima hospital had fled, leaving the sick and elderly without care.

Some critics were quick to say the Japanese people were not as impressive as we thought.

It was also said that Hong Kong people only cared about the disaster to the extent that it affected them economically and politically.

But the fund-raising campaign proved them wrong. It has been touching to see people all around the world chip in to support the Japanese.

The Japanese are now facing some serious challenges. Hopefully our blessings will at least warm their hearts.

Crystal Leung

Poor disappearing into wealth gap

The wealth gap is widening by the day and no matter how hard poor people work they can't climb the social ladder or get a place to live.

The long waiting list for public housing is a blow to their dreams of ever having their own place.

The middle class also has problems. Many are not eligible for public housing and struggle to afford flats in private estates.

Mainland and local investors are to blame as they have pushed property out of reach of the average person.

The government should think of other housing schemes for the middle class and the rich should donate some money to help them.

Kelly Shiu, YWCA Hioe Tjo Yoeng College

The ignored generation

The post-80s generation is confused about the future and the government ignores them.

Many people say they are aggressive and that their behaviour destabilises society.

But have you ever asked why they are like they are?

Flat prices keep increasing, there are fewer job choices and a lower chance of promotion, prices of food and other things are soaring, and so on.

Young people are worried about the future. Even if they excel academically, society does not seem to offer them much hope or opportunities.

So they hold demonstrations and hunger strikes to express their fears and make demands, but the government still ignores them.

As one of this generation, I wonder why the government does not seem concerned about us.

Agatha Wu Hiu-yan, St Paul's School (Lam Tin)