Editorial | Sport is part and parcel of a healthy, vibrant society
- That superstar Lionel Messi will appear in Hong Kong in February is great news, but much more needs to be done to spread the message that participation by our youth is more important than simply spectating
The rare chance to watch Lionel Messi, the world’s greatest footballer, play in Hong Kong sparked a scramble for tickets. Those lucky enough to attend the exhibition game at Hong Kong Stadium in February will relish the opportunity to watch the World Cup winner in action. The Hong Kong Football Association hopes the high-profile event, and others like it, will have a lasting impact, fuelling enthusiasm for the sport and giving the city’s leagues a much-needed boost.
Prestigious international sporting events have made a welcome return following the lifting of pandemic restrictions. But it will take much more to develop local football, which faces a host of challenges, and to encourage children to actively participate in sport.
Another recent initiative can help pursue both objectives. Hong Kong has joined a scheme run by Fifa, the sport’s governing body, to get more children playing football. The Football for Schools Programme, aimed at four- to 14-year-olds, seeks to embed the sport in the education system. The idea is to inspire the young to play and, in the process, to teach them life skills. So far, 14 schools are involved. The scheme provides an app, online learning, training and equipment.
Sport offers many benefits, from teamwork to leadership and communication skills. Any initiative that gives children more active lives deserves support.
A study by the University of Hong Kong in October revealed only 8 per cent of five- to 17-year-olds meet the World Health Organization recommendation of an hour’s moderate to intense exercise each day. It is a disturbing finding.
Schools have a vital role to play in developing an interest in sport. But it is often left behind in the pursuit of academic excellence, leaving little time for exercise. Parents also have a role to play in recognising the positives and encouraging their children to participate. The Fifa scheme, it is hoped, will develop more talented footballers for the city’s leagues and national team. But the challenge is to keep them interested. Many of the brightest young players leave and give up football to pursue university studies.
