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SCMP Reporter

Sixteen-year-old  Venise Chan Wing-yau recently led the Hong Kong girls' tennis team to qualification for the World Finals of the Junior Federation Cup, something never achieved by a Hong Kong team since the competition began in 1985.

Venise discovered her passion for tennis when she was seven years old. She then joined the Hong Kong Tennis Association's youth programme and her mother employed a private coach.

At age 12, Venise showed her true potential by reaching the women's singles final at the Hong Kong National Championships at Victoria Park. She was the youngest finalist in the history of the tournament.

Venise left Marymount Secondary School last October, and now  studies online,  giving her more time for tennis training. The athletic teenager is ranked 166 in world junior singles.

'It feels good to win and it builds my confidence,' she says. 'When I play matches, it's challenging, but I go out to challenge my opponent too.'

Tang Yik-chun, an 18-year- old Form Five student at the Shun Tak Fraternal Association Yung Yau College in Tin Shui Wai, took up sprinting less than two years ago.

Former sprinter Ko Chi-hang began coaching Tang after spotting his potential during a youth training programme at Tin Shui Wai.

Tang made astonishing progress  and recently established himself as the best sprinter in Hong Kong after beating the national record holder, Chiang Wai-hung, in the 100m of the Watsons Water Athletic King Championships.

He is an age group record holder in the 100m, 200m and 400m, and this year he also beat Chiang's senior record for the 200m in a time of 20.94 seconds.

'Athletics challenges me and tests my limits,' says Tang. 'My results have improved in a short period and that encourages me. My family supports me and that is important.'

Squash talent Annie Au Wing-chi is motivated by a dream. The Form Three student at Jockey Club Ti-I College in Sha Tin has her sights set on winning the Asian Junior Champion title. Her role model is compatriot Rebecca Chiu Wing-yin, who is currently ranked in the world's top 20.

'I will keep working hard in future and hopefully I can be as successful as Rebecca,' says Annie who was advised to take up the game four years ago, after joining the Sports Institute's Searching for New Sport Stars Programme.

Annie was a champion at the highly-regarded British Junior Open last year, and was part of the four-person Hong Kong team that won the Asian Junior Championships title in Chennai, India in February.

Another inspiring talent is basketball player So Yi-chun. The Form Five student at Jockey Club Ti-I College is a Hong Kong youth international. The 18-year-old starred for his school team in the annual Jing Ying basketball competition and excelled in the Adidas Streetball Challenge and the summer Nike League.

So says: 'When I was 12, I  dreamt that Michael Jordan taught me to play basketball. I'll never forget how good he was when the Chicago Bulls won those championships. Like he says: 'Practice makes perfect; find your own way to improve yourself; and find competitors who can challenge you.''



Young sports stars aim high