Hong Kong primary schools revel in free fencing programmes after Covid-19 year stifles sports development

The BOCHK Youth Development Programme and Fencing Association provide coaching and equipment for children aged 9 to 11

‘Kids shouldn’t feel limited because they were born into certain backgrounds,’ says teacher-fencer Leung

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Alliance Primary School students Janelle Lee Po-ying, Brian Chan Ching-hang and George Huon Ka-yu after a fencing programme class in Tai Hang Tung. Photos: Jonathan Wong

Published: 9:00am, 3 Jul 2021Updated: 9:46pm, 8 Jul 2021

Students from Hong Kong primary schools could be following in the footsteps of star athletes like Vivian Kong Man-wai and Edgar Cheung Ka-long thanks to a free, citywide fencing scheme.

The BOCHK Youth Development Programme – in tandem with the Hong Kong Fencing Association – provides classes with professional coaching and various training, fencing and scoring equipment in what is promoted as a sustainable return to physical and mental development.

The objective is to expose fencing – often considered a sport for the elites – to primary 4 to 6 students from comparatively humbler districts and social backgrounds.

First rolled out in online form last November during the Covid-19 pandemic’s resurgence, the first batch of children from Alliance Primary School in Tai Hang Tung were finally able to put their home air-fencing and -shuffling to use last month.

Hong Kong Fencing Association coach Tsoi Chung-ngan teaches a class of students at the Alliance Primary School in Shek Kip Mei in June. Photo: Jonathan Wong

“There weren’t many things to participate in during the pandemic – it was really boring. This programme has allowed me to experience something new. I like the competition part the most because it’s both fun and challenging,” said student Janelle Lee Po-ying.