Left Field: Study is not sole road to success

Study or sport? For most athletically gifted Hong Kong kids, the obvious choice is to devote time to both. Parental and peer pressure dictates that. In a city where academic pursuits are revered and are the foundation for a good job and a solid income, it would be crazy to swap books for boots.

But Jack Wong Hong-kit, 16, has chosen to buck this trend. The up-and-coming tennis ace - the Hong Kong Tennis Association has earmarked him as a real prospect - took the rather drastic step to give up school and take up his racket full-time.

"If I study now and wait until my exams are over I will be 20 and it will be too late," said Wong who left La Salle College to pursue his dream of becoming a professional. "My only chance is now. I can always go back and study, but I can never get back this opportunity to turn professional. If I don't take it, it will be gone forever." There is less chance of making the grade if you wait until you have acquired a degree. The make-or-break years are in your late teens to early 20s. And Wong admits he never got good grades in school anyway.

This does not mean I'm advocating that every teenager give up school. On the contrary, if you can handle both, then it is swell, just like champion swimmer Siobhan Haughey who is juggling both as she pursues her Olympic dream.

But it also does not mean Wong should be looked upon as a failure. In this regard the HKTA must be lauded for backing him all the way and have already assured him that if he fails in his professional pursuit then they would have a place for him as a coach in the future. This guarantee will give Wong some confidence.

The main question here is if our school system places too much pressure on students to deliver academically? Wong's younger sister Cody, who is also a tennis player, reveals her gruelling timetable trying to balance studies with training. Cody, 13, says she is dead-tired every night when she goes to bed having given most of her day to both goals.

School is from 8am to 3.40pm for Cody after which she has to hurry to the Hong Kong Sports Institute in Sha Tin for training from 4pm to 8pm. She then returns home to Yuen Long around 9pm, has her dinner before starting on homework. She drags herself to bed around 11pm.

Wong also used to follow this same timetable, but found out he was not getting anywhere in both departments. So he gave up his studies. Undoubtedly, it is a brave decision and something few youngsters will have the courage to do. With the support of his parents, he has taken this bold step and let's pray he makes the grade on the court.

One of four athletes supported by the HKSI's tennis programme - the sport rejoined the elite ranks in April after a seven-year break - Wong will be financially backed as he travels overseas to take part in competitions. With the HKTA's assurance in his back pocket, he will have all the back-up necessary as he joins thousands of teenagers like him all chasing the rainbow.

His case might suggest that there is a gradual shift among parents and children towards sports. No longer is it being only seen as a part-time pursuit but one which can actually provide a career path for the younger generation. Parents today realise that sport can provide a financial lifeline if their kids can break into the big time.

Just look at badminton players Lee Chun-hei and Chau Hoi-wah who last week became the first mixed doubles pair from Hong Kong to win one of the 12 Superseries events, the Australian Open, with total prize money of US$750,000.

Lee and Chau won US$59,200 (almost half-a-million Hong Kong dollars) which they shared. If they can come close to this again, or reach the latter stages in other Super Series events, it will all add up to a nice annual income. In 2009, Hong Kong's top female star Zhou Mi earned more than HK$1 million from her prize winnings.

This is badminton. In tennis the money is bigger. And of course the competition is harder. But if Wong can one day realise his potential, he can be in for a big payday one day. It will take a lot of sacrifice and hard work. He has already made one huge sacrifice by giving up his studies and we wish him well.

"The next three years will be crucial. If I do well, I will keep on going," he says. Whatever happens, he can be happy that he gave it his best shot. If he falls short, he can be content that he at least gave it a try. Better this than to live in regret.