Headhunter seeks to teach sport's valuable lessons for kids

Sport has taught David Azar how to stay strong in the face of defeat, the virtue of discipline and the importance of commitment. Now he's on a mission to teach Hong Kong children these crucial lessons.

In 2011, he co-founded Sport4kids, an after-school sports and coaching clinic involving 500 youngsters every month at more 20 venues in the city. The Australian, who has lived in Hong Kong for 10 years, runs the programme while working as managing director of a global headhunting company.

"I don't think enough parents in Hong Kong understand that sport is as important as learning mathematics or English," Azar, 37, says. "Kids need to play sport throughout their school years and beyond.

"Sports teach kids the importance of teamwork, working towards mutual goals, self-reflection and focus. But more importantly, sports give kids a chance to fail - and to pick themselves up again. That applies to careers and lots of other facets of life."

Azar knew early on that sport would be a major part of his life. Growing up in outback New South Wales, he dreamed of playing rugby union for his country.

He started playing with his two brothers and, after representing top school teams, was selected to play for the Australian Schoolboys at the age of 17. That launched him into a professional rugby career with Eastern Suburbs and Eastwood in Sydney, and by the age of 22 he was playing rugby full time. But a foot injury almost ended his career.