HK health chief helped expand horizons in sport for the disabled

As a doctor and sports fan, Hong Kong health chief York Chow Yat-ngok has seen first-hand how disabled people grow more confident and proud once they begin to compete in sport.

This inspired him to help expand the number of sports the disabled could consider taking up, so people with severe physical afflictions were not shut out.

'I have witnessed immense changes in the personalities of disabled athletes after taking up sports. Their attitude to life is no longer shy but filled with pride and confidence,' the secretary for food and health said.

'Sport brings about self-determination from all athletes and plays down dependence on welfare and sympathy. What they need is our encouragement and support. Sports activities expand their social circle which leads to a better quality of life.'

The orthopaedic surgeon first became involved with sports for the disabled in 1981 when he started travelling with the Hong Kong team for overseas competitions.

'My first experience was to go with a wheelchair basketball team to the Stoke Mandeville Games in Britain,' said Dr Chow, who was then under the mentorship of Sir Harry Fang, the 'grandfather' of disabled sport in Hong Kong. 'Back then, the Games in Britain were the holy grail for sportsmen with a disability. We were defeated, but it never took away from the experience.'

The success of Hong Kong hosting the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled in 1982 at the newly opened Sha Tin Sports Institute boosted his participation.