Young Post: How did you become a professional football player? Fung: I was inspired by the famous Japanese cartoon, Captain Tsubasa, to take up the sport when I was eight years old. At 11, I took part in a summer training programme organised by Coca-Cola and the Hong Kong Football Association. When I was 16, I was picked for the national youth squad, and trained after school every day at the Sports Institute in Sha Tin. At that time, we were only allowed to go back home on weekends. At 19, I had to leave the youth squad. Several Division A clubs came to the Sports Institute in search of talent. I was spotted by the Five-One-Seven club, which is now a Third Division team. That was how I started my professional soccer career. Then I joined the now-defunct Instant-Dict and Buler Rangers of the First Division. Now I play for Kitchee. YP: Why did you take a year off to study in England in 2000? F: I'm influenced by my dad, who has always said: 'There is nothing wrong with you playing soccer. We support you. But don't forget your studies.' When I graduated from Chai Wan's Institute of Vocational Education in 2000, I decided to go to England to take a one-year's master's course in business management. I think my qualification will come in handy after my retirement. This is why I'm also taking a sports science and leisure management degree course at the University of Hong Kong. Soccer players usually hang up their boots in their 30s. Therefore, I need to make plans for the rest of my life. Unlike your average soccer player, who only thinks about how to make money and have fun, I like to see things in the long term. YP: Have you adapted to your life as a professional footballer? F: I am still not completely at ease. Other players want me to join them every time they go to a pub or disco. But I only accept their invitations once in a while. I prefer watching TV at home. YP: How do you feel about your career? F: When I joined the professional league, I was really excited and got a lot of satisfaction from the games. Those days, there were bigger crowds - about 8,000 people - watching the games. The feeling is very different when there are lots of people cheering you. But the biggest satisfaction comes from playing against foreign teams like AC Milan. YP: What are the prospects for a professional footballer in Hong Kong? F: You can earn about $10,000 to $20,000 a month. You can't expect to earn as much as foreign players. When your soccer career is over, it would not be easy to find a job since you don't have work experience. This is especially the case with local companies. In the mainland and other countries, you will have an advantage if you have represented your country. This is not the case in Hong Kong. If you are smart, you will study while you are playing. Otherwise, you'll have to rely on your club to find you a job after retirement. YP: Is there any chance for locals to play in the Chinese professional league? F: Yes. There is a local playing in the mainland league now, but it's not easy. YP: What are your plans after retirement? F: I would like to do something related to sports. I also hope to improve links between local and English clubs and organise exchange programmes for young players to help widen their horizons. I think this will benefit the local soccer scene and society in general. Name: Fung Ka-ki | Occupation: Soccer player | Age: 26
