Table tennis outing unites Hong Kong youth and bank volunteers for a good cause

Volunteers from a Hong Kong financial services company received a warm welcome as they visited a local charity serving marginalised youth. They came to play table tennis with children aged between nine and 16 who love the sport.

A tournament in Shek Kip Mei was arranged for the ping-pong enthusiasts, with the children from Changing Young Lives Foundation divided into three teams, each led by volunteers from Hang Seng Bank.

After hesitant starts, the young players steadily gained confidence, encouraged by their new adult teammates. Fun and cheers followed as the players faced off in singles and doubles matches.

During one encounter, a youngster became emotional after losing several points; he momentarily quit the table and left his paddle on the ground. But he returned to action after being comforted by his team leader, Bosco Tsang Tak-wui, who has been doing volunteer work at the bank for years.

“I know how he feels, so I tried to comfort him,” he said, recalling past experience. “It’s always nice to play with them because when I share a bit of my time, the children can feel there’s someone who cares for them and will give them support.”