HKIHOA Young Officials obtain international recognition
A new milestone was reached by a trio of Hong Kong Ice Hockey Officials Association (HKIHOA) game officials. Otto Chan, Andy Li and Robert Wong were awarded licenses with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). These licenses are the key to being eligible to officiate for various high level competitions and tournaments outside of Hong Kong.
A new milestone was reached by a trio of Hong Kong Ice Hockey Officials Association (HKIHOA) game officials. Otto Chan, Andy Li and Robert Wong were awarded licenses with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). These licenses are the key to being eligible to officiate for various high level competitions and tournaments outside of Hong Kong.
While these three might not be the only ones eligible to represent Hong Kong as a game official in an IIHF event, it is worth noting that this achievement puts them with a distinguished group of game officials worldwide who are licensed; and have done so while at the ages of 21, 22 and 20 respectively.
Otto and Robert began playing hockey at their school Lee Lim Ming College, while Andy began with his school Wai Kiu College. Since graduating, each has continued to grow in the hockey community. Not only are they all working the highest levels of ice hockey in Hong Kong, but they have all played in the Principal Standard League - Hong Kong’s only league fully regulated by IIHF rules and guidelines. Otto has even improved to a level to earn a spot on the Hong Kong National Team, and competed in their most recent IIHF World Championship in April of 2015, which was held in Izmir, Turkey.
“It means a lot for me”, admits Otto, through a bright smile. “I have learned a lot as a game official in these four years. During this period there were a lot of ups and downs but today my effort has paid off. The IIHF license is not simply just a license; it also reflects how to be a better person during the learning process.”
“This IIHF license may be a new starting point, but having been approved by the Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association is a great achievement and I am thankful for the people and other associations who provided support to me. Hopefully, I can be a game official in a future IIHF competition.”
Otto’s perspective is shared by both Andy and Robert, and their goal of higher games is evident.
“Having an IIHF license to me is very meaningful”, explains Andy. “It is a milestone for me and this keeps me motivated to continue working ice hockey games and to achieve higher levels of officiating. For my future, I hope that I can be a referee for IIHF World Championships and Challenge Cup of Asia tournaments”.
Like the other two, the hopes and dreams of Robert are the same.
“I am happy that for the first time I am licensed with the IIHF”, Robert says. “It took a lot of work in these 6 seasons but I never gave up and this is the result. However, I know earning this is not the end of the road, I still can learn and achieve more and I hope to be a game official in IIHF World Championship Tournaments. I believe that working games with game officials from other countries will elevate my ability even higher”.
“I’m grateful for this chance and want to say thank you to my school Lee Lim Ming College and the Hong Kong Academy of Ice Hockey (HKAIH) for introducing me to ice hockey. Also, thank you to my referee supervisor Jeremy Hutchins for teaching me so much about officiating.”
A big praise is due to these young standouts for this achievement. Their hard work and dedication to improving their craft has clearly paid off, but with reward comes higher expectations and when the time comes to perform, they will be ready. Their recognition in the ice hockey community will not only further motivate them, but motivate future game officials to follow in their footsteps.
Congratulations to these young men!
