Raising awareness

"The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games attracted immense interest among residents. This trend, with the financial backing of large institutions, is crucial to building up our young athletes, and offers the best nutrients for cultivating the next generation of fencers," says Lam.

In addition, key players in Hong Kong's sports industry are striving to promote the influence of athletes in enhancing residents' awareness through events and awards, including the Cathay 2024 Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards (HKSSA).

The 2025 HKSSA will present awards in four categories on April 17, for Men, Women, Sports Combination, and Team Only Sport.

"We hope residents can learn more about athletes with these awards," said Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, president of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.

He said Hong Kong's athletes have achieved outstanding results at many major international sports events. Last year, the Hong Kong, China team won two gold and two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games — the first time in the city's history its athletes had secured gold medals at two consecutive Olympic Games and the first time it had won more than one gold medal at the same Olympics.

Compared to the time when Lam was competing in international events, both the number of coaches and amount of subsidies for full-time athletes in Hong Kong have grown. The Hong Kong Sports Institute has also expanded and upgraded its equipment.

The maximum funding for a senior athlete was set at about HK$150,000 ($19,000) annually two decades ago. The current amount of funding available is four times that.

To bolster the sustainable development of elite sports in Hong Kong, practitioners may broaden the scope of funding sources rather than relying on government funding. Legislative Council member Kenneth Fok Kai-kong said investment from commercial organizations is indispensable in driving the global sports industry.

He noted that in 2020, about 63 percent of the total revenue of more than 70 sports associations in Japan came from the commercial sector, with only 18 percent from public funding.

Through his dedication and drive, with the concerted efforts of Hong Kong athletes, institutions, and sports supporters, Lam hopes to realize his dream of seeing a Hong Kong Olympic champion in the men's saber event, while also advancing the sports industry.