Over fifty years of productive and methodical work by a lot of people including our most respectful predecessors, led to us having today a well structured and organized Association. Here I wish to give you an overview of our achievements in the past and our vision and mission for the future.
Squash started as an expatriates' sport in Hong Kong and has now become a popular sport among all walks of life in the community. As everybody knows, squash has all along been an elite sport in Hong Kong since the early 90s and our senior athletes have won medals in every Asian Games since 1998 including 3 golds from women's singles (2002), men's singles (2018) and women's team (2018), not to mention the historic achievement of winning seven gold and five silver medals in the 2009 Hong Kong East Asian Games. Besides, our women and men athletes are advancing in the world ranking in a fast manner. It is our strong mission of not only to maintain our leadership in Asia but also to fight for world titles.
Our junior athletes are also a strong force in the world squash arena. Their world champion title did not come by chance but the hard work of a team of professionals who contributed wholeheartedly behind the scene. We have been very fortunate over the years to have top class coaches leading our development elite training and as a steering wheel for our elite movement at all levels. Thanks also go to our colleagues at the Hong Kong Sports Institute for their endless support to our athletes and coaches.
Of course, we shall not forget the support from the SAR Government who has helped grow our Association's operation as well as our programmes from grass-root level to major events. The Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong is also our great supporter of helping squash to maintain its status in major games. Without their effort, we would not have four medal squash events in the last Guangzhou Asian Games.
Commercial sponsorship is a key element in the success of contemporary sport development. Hong Kong Squash has been gifted to receiving funding support by many devoted sponsors over the years.
Hong Kong Squash is very fortunate to have a group of volunteers who always give their hands to any task when needed. Office bearers, committee members, referees, coaches, players and event assistants, all of them have contributed to the smooth running of the activities organized by the Association.
We shall continue to make an effort to grow our squash leagues, one of the biggest city leagues in the world. Besides, we shall further develop our Community Squash Club programme with the aim of getting squash included in the future Hong Kong Games. The junior development programme is our backbone which we shall always make an effort to advance and improve upon.
Last but not least, I wish all of you good health and continue to enjoy your squash game.
Duncan CHIU
Chairman