Editorial | Ramp up support for our Paralympians
Hong Kong’s disabled athletes have done the city proud in Paris and deserve far more funding in their quest for more medals on the global stage
Hong Kong is, once again, celebrating winning medals in Paris. This time, it is the disabled athletes who have made the city proud. Six medals, including two golds, have been won at the Paralympics. It is an outstanding achievement. The two gold medals were won in boccia, similar to bowls, a sport that first featured in the Paralympics 40 years ago. Ho Yuen-kai took the women’s individual BC3 title and John Loung prevailed in the BC1 contest. Both have demonstrated the Paralympic spirit of determination and belief.
Loung dropped out of the sport for five years after failing to meet his own expectations. But he had the strength of character to bounce back and triumph. Ho failed to win a medal in her first two Paralympics, but struck gold this time. They show the value of not giving up. Silver medals have been won in boccia, swimming and badminton. Swimmer Jasmine Ng Cheuk-yan, 14, meanwhile, became the city’s youngest medallist, taking bronze.
It is good to see Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu heaping praise on the medal winners, just as he did with the city’s Olympians.
The Paralympics do not attract as much attention as the Olympics, but the athletes deserve to be feted and supported. They are elite performers who have overcome great challenges. There has been more interest this time, partly due to mainland China’s success, quickly racing past the 40 gold medal mark in nine sports.
It is important that the government and the private sector provide the backing needed to ensure Hong Kong’s disabled athletes can develop, compete at the top level and succeed.
There are various grants and subsidies, with the government setting a budget of HK$130 million for 2024-25. Prize money for medallists has been doubled for this Paralympics, with those winning gold picking up HK$1.5 million. But the funding and the prize money are well short of that for elite athletes without disabilities. As the city focuses on the benefits of sport and potential for glory, more will be needed to develop future stars for the Olympics and Paralympics.
