Record haul should leave Hong Kong hungry for more success

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Published: 12:00am, 16 Dec 2006

All the rich Arabian delights I have gorged on in the past three weeks have resulted in the expansion of my waistline. The only thing to exceed my self-indulgent ways has been the weight of Hong Kong's medal success.

I must confess, I'm in a sorry state. Fortunately, this is not the case where Hong Kong is concerned as they deservedly celebrate their best ever performance at an Asian Games, returning home with the highest gold medal count - six - as well as their highest medal tally, 28.

When karatedo Chan Ka-man won her bronze medal this week, Hong Kong sports passed a landmark - it was the 100th Asian Games medal in 12 appearances at this quadrennial event. Table tennis has been our most successful medal sport across 12 editions of the games, providing 15 of the 100.

Ever since Stephen Xavier won Hong Kong their first medal, a bronze, on their debut appearance at the Asian Games, Manila, in 1954, Hong Kong athletes have done themselves proud. And proving there is equality in local sports, the 100 medals have been shared almost equally - 49 to the men, 50 to the women and one mixed.

From Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, Olympic head, to chef de mission Vivien Fung Lau Chiang-chu, Hong Kong officials have been grinning delightedly as the medals kept coming, even though Hong Kong's achievements pale in the light of China's medal gluttony. The mainland athletes won more gold medals alone this time, than all of Hong Kong's medals combined in Asian Games history.

But never mind. You have to remember sport is a national obsession in China - especially the 28 Olympic sports - whereas the Hong Kong government's laissez faire approach to anything sporty is nothing but frustrating.

But despite bureaucratic apathy, Hong Kong athletes have continued to excel on the Asian Games stage. In recent times, they have surpassed all expectations. At the 1998 Games in Bangkok, Hong Kong won 17 medals overall, including five golds. In Pusan 2002 the count was 21 and four golds. This past fortnight has been the best ever.