HK Paralympians call for more resources to foster future stars
After winning 12 medals in London, athletes say they need better facilities, more coaches
Amid the triumphant return yesterday of the Hong Kong Paralympics team from the London Games, a sporting official called for more resources to nurture the city's talented disabled athletes.
The 28-member team took three golds, three silvers and six bronze medals, topping their previous haul in 2008 of 11, including five golds.
They ranked 34th in the overall tally, bringing their total medal count to 108 since Hong Kong started taking part in 1972. And they accomplished this despite limited resources.
"Paralympic sports in Hong Kong are struggling with inadequate training sites," said Martin Lam, general secretary of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled.
"For example, there are no … designated venues for training, so the athletes have to compete with the public for training venues."
The Paralympians who play boccia, a wheelchair-based ball sport, would like to train up to seven times a week, but they can only manage three sessions because of limited space.
"I think the government should dedicate more resources, both in terms of money and manpower, to shore up disabled athletes," said wheelchair fencing star Yu Chui-yee.
