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Chao News Client Reporter Xu Baier Zheng Xinhong

On August 14, the first Hangzhou study group of the "Creating a Bright Teen Program" supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (hereinafter referred to as "the Club") held a summary dinner that evening.

In the past four days, the students visited Geely Automobile, Hangzhou National Museum of Editions, Liangzhu Museum, etc., and enjoyed the cultural performance of the West Lake Live Concert "Most Memories of Hangzhou", and also went to the Hangzhou Asian Games Main Stadium and Athlete Training Base to learn about equestrian sports and the preparations for the Hangzhou Asian Games equestrian events in which the Jockey Club participated. Jiang Minhui, the newly appointed gold medalist in the women's individual epee at the 2024 Paris Olympics, also exchanged fencing techniques with the students and shared the athletes' mental journey.

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Ms. Suen Yuhan, the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Hangzhou Municipality, Ms. Xu Junmin, the Executive Director of Corporate Affairs of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr. Tam Chi-yuen, the Head of External Affairs of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms. Cheng Kei, and other guests including five Jockey Club mentors attended the dinner and interacted with the trainees to understand what they had learned during the study tour.

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ms. Suen Yuhan (fourth from left in the front row), Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Hangzhou, Ms. Xu Junmin (fourth from left in the back row), Executive Director of Corporate Affairs of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr. Tam Chi-yuen (third from left in the back row), Head of External Affairs of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr. Cheng Kei (first from left in the back row) and Assistant Manager of External Affairs of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and gold medalist of women's individual epee at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Ms. Jiang Minhui (second from left in the back row) interacted with the trainees at the summary dinner.

In his speech at the dinner, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Ms Suen Yuk-han, expressed her gratitude to the Jockey Club for supporting the Government in implementing the two phases of the "Ming Teen" Programme and sponsoring the Hangzhou Study Tour, which has enabled the participants to broaden their horizons and enhance their confidence. He urged the participants to make good use of what they have seen and heard during the trip, to develop a positive outlook on life and to set goals for the future.

Zheng Qi, Head of External Affairs of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said that the Jockey Club has always been very supportive and actively promoted various types of youth development projects, hoping to create more opportunities for young people to move upward. This study tour allowed the trainees to experience the rich Chinese cultural connotations and academic atmosphere of Hangzhou, and to be exposed to the latest innovative technological developments, broaden their knowledge and inspire their thinking about future career development. The trainees also had the opportunity to interact with Hangzhou athletes, deepening the exchanges and friendship between the young people of the two places. I believe that these experiences will become a valuable asset for their future growth.

The study group visited the Hangzhou Athletes Training Base.

Youth development is one of the key areas of the Club's charitable work. The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust have approved a total of HK$21 million in funding to support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in implementing two phases of the "Ming 'Teen' Programme". The first phase will be launched in 2022, through a tripartite collaboration between government, business and the public, to help secondary school students develop a positive outlook on life and set goals for their future. In addition to financial support and the recommendation of more than 40 staff, Jockey Club scholarship recipients and industry partners to serve as mentors for the second phase of the programme, trainees were also invited to visit the Club's facilities, including Tai Kwun, the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course, the Equine Hospital and the Tuen Mun Public Riding School.

In addition, the Club has supported an additional 80 students from the second phase of the programme to join the Hangzhou study tour, allowing them to experience firsthand the city’s Chinese cultural heritage, as well as the latest technological and economic development achievements, and increase their understanding of and pride in their motherland.

Like other charitable projects funded by the Jockey Club, its support for the "Teen for a Better Life" project relies on its unique integrated operating model, which generates tax revenue and charitable donations through the proceeds from its horse racing and gaming operations, while creating employment opportunities for the community.

It is understood that on the 15th, the students will also visit the Hangzhou International Expo Center, which was once the main venue of the G20 Summit, and then end their trip and return to Hong Kong.

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