Great support for Wheelchair Fencing Event in Hong Kong

December saw the return to Hong Kong for Wheelchair Fencing for the IWAS Hong Kong Jockey Club Wheelchair Fencing World Cup 2012. The event was held at the Ma On Shan Sports Centre from the 13th to the 16th and was attended by over 100 athletes and team officials from over 10 countries.

This was the third International Wheelchair Fencing event to be hosted by the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (HKPC&SAPD) who organised competitions in 1994 and 2006.

Mrs Jenny Fung, BBS, JP Chairman of the HKPC&SAPD presented at the Press Conference and said it was an honour of the Association to host this important event for the third time. Also, she thanked for the support and assistance from the Hong Kong Government as well as the local community, especially from the Principal Contributor, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for their generous sponsorship. Under the support from the Trust, a 2?year programme named “Jockey Club Wheelchair Fencing Development Programme” has been organized, which allows junior fencers to have more opportunities to compete in international competitions and gain valuable experience.

Executive Manager, Charities of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms Florine Tang said, “We are honoured and delighted to be the World Cup Principal Contributor. The Event will be a great opportunity for local junior wheelchair fencers to display their potentials, and compete with the world’s top ranked fencers.” Ms Tang added that “Through the “Jockey Club Wheelchair Fencing Development Programme”, more local disabled can join the sports trainings, which will help promote the value of disabled sports to the community.”

Following London 2012 the Hong Kong medal winning team only took a short break before returning to training in preparation for the World Cup. The Organising Committee Chairman, Mr Martin Lam said that besides the Hong Kong medal team China and Italy also sent their London Paralympic Games medallist to the event.

In the final medal table China won overall winning 6 Gold Medals and 15 medals in total, closely followed by Russia in second, with the host nation coming in third.

Picture credit: Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled