It always helps to have a role model or two, so this column is about health heroes.
The end of last year threw up an unexpected health hero: the Hong Kong Police. During the World Trade Organisation conference, they were tested by seven days of physical and mental challenges in their clashes with demonstrators. They managed to do their job under great pressure, showing endurance and composure. While there was venting of anger and resentment during the conflict in Wan Chai, the police retained control over themselves as well as the demonstrators.
It reminded me of a conversation I had with Dick Lee Ming-kwai, some years ago before he took over as police chief. It was at the Corporate Patron League, a tennis tournament organised by the Hong Kong Tennis Association to encourage companies to get their workers on to the tennis court for a bit of exercise.
The police team had gone through the draw like a hot knife through butter, barely raising a sweat as they made their way to the final. It was certainly an effective demonstration of the fitness of the Hong Kong force.
But the thing that interested me was not just how fit the police were, but the high value Lee put on encouraging all police officers to play team sports and get involved in community competition with their families.
Lee maintains that sport not only increases fitness but builds teamwork, a sense of belonging and trust between officers.
