Off and running – minorities, recovering addicts and the underprivileged benefit from Hong Kong Streetathon
More than 10,000 runners are expected in Central in August in an event designed to promote running in the city
Furqan Ur-Rehman knew that to become part of Hong Kong society he would have to integrate. So when the sports-loving ethnic Pakistani was urged to join the Youth ROC social group, he jumped at the chance.
Within a year, the 19-year-old had become a competent runner, improved his Cantonese and forged friendships with others from the fringes of society, including those who were battling addictions.
The programme has blown open the doors to a possible career in sports and his case represents one of the many positive outcomes of the Youth ROC concept – a creation of social enterprise RunOurCity, which stages the Streetathon festival in Central that this year expands into a nine-day event climaxing in a 5km race.
“In the past I had difficulty with the language but after spending time with them I learned what the main language skills were and that helps me to communicate much better.”
Youth ROC provides youngsters such as Furqan the chance to obtain the foundations of running, which they can take to higher levels should they wish.
