AS Watson Group Hong Kong Student Sports Awards (HKSSA) is themed as “YOU ARE STAR” this year and first launches personalised NFT STARCERT certificates to support and inspire student-athletes to become stars, shining and sparkling with the courage to chase for their dreams. For the 17th consecutive year since 2005, HKSSA is the first and only sports award to recognise numerous outstanding student-athletes from all primary, secondary and special schools across Hong Kong for their excellent performance in sports. This award is one of the largest athlete recognition schemes which has witnessed the achievement of over 14,000 students from nearly 80% of local schools on the sports grounds.
Malina Ngai, JP, CEO of AS Watson (Asia & Europe) and Honorary Advisor of HKSSA said, "The past three years have been full of challenges, and it has not been easy for every student athlete. Most of the local and international competitions have been suspended due to the pandemic. As a former athlete, I understand the challenges they've been facing. In view of this, HKSSA continues to support and commend every student nominated by the schools, and encourage them to keep pracitsing and get well-prepared for the resumption of competitions."
Another officiating guest, Daniel Chan, MH , Tokyo Paralympic bronze medalist in wheelchair badminton said, “Many sports competitions have been suspended due to the pandemic, and I truly understand the students may feel fearful and anxious about their unknown future, just like what I felt when I underwent great changes caused by an accident. Students should be fearless when overcoming obstacles and breaking through boundaries. Pursue your dream by upholding the spirit of ‘YES I CAN!’. I believe every student can become a shining star on the sports grounds!”
“YOU ARE STAR” Lighting Up the Sports Grounds
With the theme of "YOU ARE STAR", AS Watson Group and the Advisory Committee of HKSSA hope to present a special gift to this year's student-athlete awardees as recognition. Professional photo shooting was arranged for them to feature their athletic postures, highlighting their outstanding achievements in sports, as well as protruding they are shining stars on the sports grounds. Display boards with the background of awardees’ photos were placed at the venue of the awards ceremony this year. Students and parents are excited to take pictures. Besides, a group of guests lit up the neon lights together during the unveiling ceremony, to encourage student-athletes to be confident in the face of adversity, and believe that they can light up Hong Kong and even the international sports arena as long as to adhere to their dreams fearlessly.
NFT STARCERT Photography Exhibition
The NFT STARCERT photography exhibition with the theme of "YOU ARE STAR" captures the glamorous athletic postures of student-athletes, will be open in the atrium on the 7th floor of Fortune Metropolis in Hung Hom, on 30th of July (Saturday) and 31st of July (Sunday), from 12:00 nn to 8:00 pm. All citizens are welcome to visit free-of-charge, to show support and encourage Hong Kong's student-athletes by actions.
************************
2021 – 2022 HKSSA Nomination
The HKSSA has gained overwhelming support from local schools over the past 17 years. This year, total 850 students are awarded. Each participating school is entitled to nominate one sports talent every year. All awardees would receive cash scholarship and would be invited to the award presentation ceremony. This year, awardees will also receive a personalised NFT STARCERT certificate and their own photos of athletic postures.
The Group hopes that students will continue to pursue their dreams, strive for excellence and promote sporting culture actively and inspire others to embrace the future.
Key Facts about the 850 Winners
There are 482 boys and 368 girls this year with the youngest winner of a 6-year-old student from The CCC Mongkok Church Kai Oi School. Some awardees are elite athletes while some are already representing Hong Kong in international competitions.
Breakdown of award winners by school type:
| No. of Students | |
| Primary school | 450 |
| Secondary school | 349 |
| Special school | 51 |
| Total | 850 |
Breakdown of award winners by sports:
| No. of students | |
| Track and field | 303 |
| Swimming | 79 |
| Basketball | 74 |
| Soccer | 56 |
| Badminton | 54 |
| Others (e.g. dancing, fencing, gymnastics, rope skipping and martial arts etc.) | 284 |
