Wing Ding squash tournament a smashing success for Operation Santa Claus

Captain America, the Pink Panther and Fred Flintstone were among the many sweaty bodies battling it out on the squash court in Happy Valley yesterday, all in aid of the city's top charity event.

From 11am to 7pm yesterday, 140 players in 14 teams, each with their own colour and costume, dashed around the seven courts at the Football Club for the annual Wing Ding squash tournament, which was raising funds for Operation Santa Claus for the eleventh year in a row.

Adrian Pierce from Britain, an eight-year veteran of the event, was dressed as Captain America. Pierce had not wanted to miss the tournament because "if I miss a year, that's a sign of final decline".

Bjorn Fjelddahl, a branding professional from Sweden who has taken part in all 10 Wing Dings, said he was in it for "the combination of sports and fun through the outfit and getting out there and getting tired".

His teammate in green, French banker Eli Bitan, said it was a great occasion for like-minded people to get together, perform good deeds and have fun. "For me, the biggest fun is to see Tim get a thicker chequebook [of donations]," he said.

Wing Ding was among the top three donors last year to Operation Santa Claus, a fundraising campaign hosted by the South China Morning Post and RTHK.