:::Interview with Ng Kwan Yau and Yu Ka Po

1. Tell us about your life as a Hong Kong Team athlete?

Yu Ka Po:

The process of pursuing go-karting as a career is arduous and full of ups and downs. Since it is not a mainstream sport in Hong Kong, my family has been my primary source of support throughout my career. Without any guidance or prior experience, developing my skills has been challenging. However, my commitment and passion for the sport have led me to participate in numerous national and international events worldwide, seeking improvements and breakthroughs in my driving techniques and knowledge of karting.

 Ng Kwan Yau:

My daily routine typically involves morning training at 7am, and the day ends at around 9pm, when I can dedicate time to stretching or rehabilitation exercises. “Travel days” are a regular occurrence for me, during which I often endure journeys of 30 or more hours. I spend over 80% of the year away from home to participate in international tennis tournaments held in various countries such as India, Italy, France, Indonesia, Singapore, and London, among others. My tennis career has taken me to over 50 cities across 30 countries on four continents.

2. Why CUHK Business School?

Yu Ka Po:

In the future, I aspire to establish my career path in the karting field by creating my own racing team and becoming a coach who can share knowledge and experience with future generations. Studying business at CUHK would provide me with the fundamental skills needed to manage this business and start my career immediately after completing my degree. My experiences have taught me about my personality and dreams, and being in the Business School at CUHK will give me an advantage in successfully managing my future team and business. In addition, developing my communication skills and networking with racing athletes and managers from around the world has broadened my horizons. Therefore, I am keen to take business-related courses at CUHK.

Ng Kwan Yau:

I think that it’s important to be realistic about what could possibly happen tomorrow, especially for professional athletes, as we couldn’t predict the length of our athlete’s career. Illness and injuries are common to us as we are trained to push through limits and persevere through severe conditions on a daily basis. I always believe that education is vital, and that’s what keeps us improving every day. To me, studying business provides infinite possibilities. By studying business, it allows us to develop our interpersonal skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills, which we can apply to any career path we choose.

3. How do you balance your studies and training?

Yu Ka Po:

As there is no go-kart track or systematic training programme available for go-kart athletes in Hong Kong, I need to train abroad or in Mainland China. With the gradual lifting of the epidemic, I have restarted my training to prepare for upcoming events. At this stage, I hope to bring honour to Hong Kong when I reach my peak performance. It is indeed challenging to balance my studies and sports, but I am grateful to the CUHK Business School for its support, which gives me the flexibility to take courses while pursuing my athletic career. Although I understand that managing my studies is becoming increasingly difficult, I am now trying my best to shift my focus more towards my studies as soon as possible.

 Ng Kwan Yau:

To strike a balance between studies and training is never easy. In order to achieve this, I have learnt the importance of having a clear objective and maintaining laser-like focus. Before making any decisions, I must be precise about what I want to accomplish for the day. Having yearly and monthly goals, a daily to-do list, and planning one week ahead always help me stay organised, focused and motivated. Additionally, I have learnt to say “no” at times and save time for priority tasks. I constantly remind myself to use my time wisely.

4. What’s your plan after getting a business degree?

Yu Ka Po:

I hope to establish my own team before graduation. To achieve this goal, I first need to obtain a professional certification, and then apply the business skills that I learnt. This involves analysing the current market dynamics, connecting with the real world, making small improvements, and determining how to leverage my strengths.

 Ng Kwan Yau:

After graduation, I want to build a career that aligns with my passion for tennis and business. Tennis has always been my passion, and I am eager to promote the sport and assist the upcoming generations in any way possible, especially in terms of their development. As a member of a highly diversified tennis team, I have had numerous opportunities to interact and connect with players from various countries and age groups. I hope to contribute to the sport’s growth and development and give back to the society in the future.

5. How can being a professional athlete help you in life and studies?

Yu Ka Po:

I consider competitions and training days to be the epitome of life. Life is full of ups and downs, so things never go smoothly. As a professional athlete, I constantly face pressure and experience failure. The most important thing is to hold your horses and wait for the right moment to shine. Additionally, traveling to different countries and meeting different people provides access to a wide network of contacts and resources, which can be beneficial in pursuing other career opportunities after my athletic career ends.

 Ng Kwan Yau:

As a professional tennis player, I have learnt to be highly self-disciplined and have honed my time management skills. Prioritising my time and doing the right things at the right time are crucial. I wholeheartedly encourage young children to participate in sports and physical activities. I firmly believe that there is no such thing as winning or losing; it is either you win or you learn. Tennis has taught me to go above and beyond to achieve my goals and strive for excellence. My passion for the sport motivates me to show up at the courts, rain or shine, regardless of how tired or exhausted I may feel. Resilience and positivity are vital traits that I always hold on to. You can do everything right and still not achieve what you had hoped, it is how you get back up that truly counts and defines your character and growth in life.