A BUTCHER, a blind telephonist, a dentist and a women's football enthusiast are among the recipients of awards in the New Year's Honours List.
They join a list of government servants and people from the voluntary and private sectors to be given official recognition for their service to the Hong Kong administration and the community at large.
Although many of the awards to civil servants traditionally go with the job, there were some surprises.
There were also rumours that some dignitaries had turned down honours for fear of being too closely associated with the British administration.
Veronica Chan Yiu-kam, president and founder member of the Hong Kong Ladies' Football Association, was granted an MBE. She has been connected with the sport for more than 35 years and serves on nine out of the 12 Hong Kong Football Association subcommittees.
Ms Chan, who is also president of the Asia Women's Football Association, said she was surprised with the award because she had been involved in women's football for so long. She started her working life as a cabaret singer.
