Hong Kong Life Presents: Tennis Stars of the Future 2008 concluded in grand style last Sunday at Kowloon Tsai Park, where a Pro-Celeb Tennis Classic, won by Kevin Cheng and Yu Hiu Tung, took place prior to the eagerly awaited prize presentation, especially for those youngsters who turned in good performances during the year-end Stage V Competitions.

[Photo Gallery]

Presiding over the prize presentation ceremony were:

Dr. Patrick Fung, J.P. - Chairman of Hong Kong Life Insurance Limited, and Chairman & Chief Executive of Wing Hang Bank Limited

Mr. David Kwok - Managing Director and Chief Executive of Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited

Mr George Yan - Executive Director of Chong Hing Insurance Company Limited

Mr Raymond Chang - General Manager of Hong Kong Life Insurance Limited

Other guests to have made their presence felt on Sunday also included:

Mr. Eric Fok
Mr. Kevin Cheng
Ms. Suzanne Leung - Marketing Manager, RSH (Hong Kong) Limited
Mr. Dennis Wan - Marketing Executive, Laikok Photographic Products (HK) Ltd
Mr. James Ng - Hon. Treasurer, Against Child Abuse Ltd
Mr. Derek Ling - Development Committee Chairman, HKTA
Mrs. Janet Hardisty - General Manager, HKTA

In addition, with support from RICOH, there was a "RICHO Photo Contest" during Stage I when photos taken with RICOH cameras at various Challenge Day venues were the only requirements for entering the contest. At the end of the day, there were four winners in this particular contest. They were:

Simon Ku and Ho Chi Keung - Winners of "The Most Interesting Photo" Category
Micky Cho - Winner of "The Happiest Photo" Category
Ho Siu Fan - Winner of "The Most Touching Photo" Category

Earlier, both Hong Kong Life Insurance and the HKTA had struck an accord to donate HK$15 from the proceeds gathered from each Stage II participant to Against Child Abuse Ltd, a charity organization that provides services in the area of child protection, but with a strong emphasis on advocacy.

Mr. James Ng, Honorary Treasurer of Against Child Abuse Ltd, was on hand to receive a cheque for HK$15,690 from Dr. Patrick Fung (Hong Kong Life Insurance) and Mr. Derek Ling (HKTA).

To learn more about the work of Against Child Abuse Ltd, visit its official website www.aca.org.hk.

The Pro-Celeb Tennis Classic was won by the pairing of Kevin Cheng and HK Davis Cupper, Yu Hiu Tung, who combined to beat Hong Kong Life Insurance Chairman, Dr. Patrick Fung, and his son, Elliot Fung, by the score of 4-1 (first to reach 4 games wins).

And a recap of the Stage V Competition…

The Unisex 8 & Under Singles title went to Lam Ho Kin, who beat Li Yam Ting in the final, 4-3. The Boys' 10 & Under Singles went to Samuel Lee after he beat Steven Choy, 4-1, in the final, while the Girls' 10 & Under Singles crown was captured by Joyce Choi, as she defeated Tam Ka Yue, 4-1, in the deciding match.

In the Boys' 12 & Under Singles final, Chan Ho Hin defeated Michael Chan in the closest of all matches by the score of 6-5 to lift the title. In the Boys' 14 & Under, Lai Man Him overcame Wu Lok Hang in the final, 6-1. Finally, in the Girls' 14 & Under Singles final, Cheryl Yip beat Zoey Wong, 6-0, to secure the title.

[Stage V Competition – Full Results]

First launched in 1992 with the help of former French Open champion, Michael Chang, the Tennis Stars of the Future is an invaluable player identification programme to help nurture talented local tennis players at a young age right here in Hong Kong.

Serving the local community for nearly two decades, the Stars of the Future programme has since brought to the fore such homegrown talents as Jack Hui, Lam Po Kuen, and Venise Chan, who have all gone on to represent the territory with distinction in numerous international events.

Aside from being a useful tool for talent identification, the programme is also an important avenue through which the sport of tennis as a healthy pastime, and all the positive connotations it carries and symbolizes, can be introduced to local youngsters. For they will have the opportunity to get away from the monotony and pressures of everyday school work, engage in a meaningful extra curricular activity, make new friends or even discover oneself along the way.

The Tennis Stars of the Future programme is divided into five stages and generally runs from May to December each year. For instance, this year's programme schedule was as follows:

Stage I: Challenge Day (May)
Stage II: Summer Tennis Training Course (Jul – Aug)
Stage III: Intermediary Training (Sep – Oct)
Stage IV: Advanced Training (Nov – Dec)
Stage V: Tennis Stars Competition (Dec)

To find out more about the Hong Kong Life Presents: Tennis Stars of the Future programme, please do not hesitate to contact Olivia Tse on 2504 8266 or send her an email olivia@tennishk.org.