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The initiative, sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, is aimed towards assisting the elderly to not only stay fit and enjoy football, but to also build inter-personal bonds and enhance their knowledge of the game.
A promotional period was organised in October 2022 which saw approximately 100 participants, aged between 50 and 70, take part in 15 minutes long 4-sided matches. The success of the promotional event resulted in widescale enrolment to the formal training programme that was launched in the following month.
The training workshop for coaches which was conducted in the second phase, also received an overwhelming response. Spread over four days, experts Dr. Louie Hung Tak and Fung Wing Sing, held theoretical as well as practical sessions on topics such as ways to prevent common injuries, and how to remain active on a daily basis.
The third stage of the programme, the formal training of the participants, which was launched last month, includes five classes that are being organised across four districts, namely, Hong Kong, Kowloon, Tai Po, and Shatin.
Currently, the curriculum comprises weekly classes with close to 80 participants under the supervision of 25 coaches. Several formal football stars, such as Chan Wai Ho and Ku Kam Fai have come forward as ambassadors of the programme to encourage more people to enroll.
Speaking of the initiative, the HKFA Technical Director Carlos Anton said: “15% of our population is represented by those above the age of 65 and we, at the HKFA, consider it our responsibility to serve all sections of our community.
“This programme has been curated specifically for the elderly community to encourage them to use football as the vehicle to stay physically as well as socially active and we hope that this initiative will inspire them to also spread the love for the game and do their bit in expanding the football community in the region.”
