This photo taken from the official website of the Hong Kong Sports Institute shows badminton athlete Chu Man-kai.
HONG KONG – Hong Kong badminton athlete Chu Man-kai secured the SAR’s fifth medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games on Sunday.
Chu grabbed the silver medal after India’s Krishna Nagarin beat him 2-1 in the Badminton Men's Singles SH6 event finals.
Chu grabbed the silver medal in the Badminton Men's Singles SH6 event finals after India’s Krishna Nagarin beat him 2-1
Earlier on Sunday, Chu’s teammate, Chan Ho-yuen, won the bronze medal in the Men's Singles WH2 event.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor congratulated Chu on winning the silver medal.
"Chu Man-kai claimed a gold medal in the Badminton Men's Singles SS6 event at the 2018 Asian Para Games. In the competitions at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, he persevered and gave full play to his skills to stay ahead of competitors and outperformed strong opponents, winning a silver medal for Hong Kong,” Lam said.
ALSO READ: Badminton: Chan Ho-yuen wins bronze at Tokyo Paralympics
“It is the first time that badminton has become an official sport at this Games. With the medals, Chu Man-kai and Chan Ho-yuen have made history in Hong Kong sports, making Hong Kong people proud," she added.
Lam hailed the Hong Kong athletes for their distinguished performances and perseverance, which secured for the SAR a total of five medals at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, comprising two silver medals and three bronze medals.
“Their performances are admirable, which are the results of the athletes' hard work over the years. Their achievements inspire other people with disabilities in Hong Kong and also fill Hong Kong with positive energy,” Lam said.
She said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has all along been giving full support for Hong Kong athletes with disabilities, with the establishment of Hong Kong Paralympians Fund in 2001.
A pilot scheme on Elite Vote Support System for Disability Sports was launched in 2017 and regularized in 2019 to provide athletes with disabilities the opportunity to receive full-time training and direct financial support, she added.
ALSO READ: Boccia: Trio claim third medal for HK at Tokyo Paralympics
Lam said the resources government allocated to sports development for people with disabilities have increased substantially in recent years. The estimates of expenditure for 2021-22 is HK$100 million, more than doubling that for 2017-18.
"I announced in early August five measures to further the development of sports in Hong Kong, including expediting the new building project of the Hong Kong Sports Institute, establishing a fund to enhance the competitiveness of athletes, strengthening support for elite athletes' dual career development in sports and academic pursuits and developing the sports industry, benefiting athletes with disabilities and other athletes,” Lam said.
“I hope that Hong Kong athletes will keep up their efforts and bring glory home again in the future,” she added.
Lam said the HKSAR government secured the broadcasting rights to the Olympic Games and allowed five local commercial TV license holders to broadcast for free, which was well received by members of the public.
“The broadcasts by the Radio Television Hong Kong of competitions at the Tokyo Paralympic Games are also impressive. The government will take stock of the experience to decide on the way forward,” she said.
READ MORE: Paddler Wong wins first medal for HK at Tokyo 2020 Paralympics
“The TV stations will, as required by the government, continue to arrange and broadcast programs promoting sports development in a period after the conclusion of the Tokyo Olympics," she added.
Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui Ying-wai also congratulated Chu for winning the silver medal.
"Chu Man-kai has achieved marvellous result with his extraordinary techniques. His great performance deserves our congratulations and applause," he said.
President of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, on behalf of all LegCo Members, issued letters to congratulate Chu and Chan. He also expresses gratitude to their coaches and training teams.
"Badminton is a newly added sports in this year's Paralympics. In their debut performances, Mr Chu and Mr Chan displayed marvellous skills with fascinating attack and defence strokes. We are all thrilled by their outstanding performances before the world's best athletes and winning the medals for Hong Kong," he said.
Leung said Chu displayed quick reflexes in the fierce match against the opponent, and his excellent performance brought him the silver medal.
“On the other hand, Mr Chan once fell behind his opponent in the bronze medal match, but he snatched the medal eventually with exceptional resilience and calmness,” Leung said.
The Non-official Members of the Executive Council also expressed their warmest congratulations to the two badminton athletes, their coaches, and the whole team.
"By overcoming one hurdle over another throughout the series of matches, Chu Man-kai seized the opportunity to demonstrate his excellent skills and captured a silver medal in the event, while Chan Ho-yuen, with his outstanding performance, has lived up to expectations by winning a bronze medal in the event. They both made history for Hong Kong," said Convenor of the ExCo Non-official Members Bernard Chan.
"With great determination, the two athletes overcame difficulties and carved out a niche of their own. We should learn from their tenacity and persistence in pursuing dreams," he added.