Jockey Club Exploring Chinese Culture Ambassador Programme fosters appreciation for cultural heritage among younger generation

Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and organised by Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF), the Jockey Club Exploring Chinese Culture Ambassador Programme engages secondary school students to deepen their understanding and practice of traditional Chinese culture through unique, multi-level educational experiences not typically offered in schools.

The programme, implemented by OHKF’s Academy of Chinese Studies, has organised a Fun Fair currently underway at Tai Kwun until 18 August, promoting Chinese culture and showcasing the achievements of participating students from the past year. Additionally, a commendation ceremony was held today (17 August) to honour Chinese Culture Ambassadors who have completed the programme, celebrating their dedication to learning and preserving cultural heritage.

Officiating guests at the ceremony included Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government; Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Chairman of Our Hong Kong Foundation; Lee Yeh-kwong, Honourary Chairman of the Council of the Academy of Chinese Studies; Prof Lee Chack-fan, Chairman of the Council of the Academy of Chinese Studies; Dr Jane Lee, President of Our Hong Kong Foundation; Dr Yau Yat, Executive Director of the Academy of Chinese Studies and Joel Poon, Vice President, Corporate Communications of Our Hong Kong Foundation.

Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government (4th left); Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (4th right); Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Chairman of Our Hong Kong Foundation (3rd left); Lee Yeh-kwong, Honourary Chairman of the Council of the Academy of Chinese Studies (3rd right); Prof Lee Chack-fan, Chairman of the Council of the Academy of Chinese Studies; (2nd left); Dr Jane Lee, President of Our Hong Kong Foundation (2nd right); Dr Yau Yat, Executive Director of the Academy of Chinese Studies (1st left) and Joel Poon, Vice President, Corporate Communications of Our Hong Kong Foundation officiate at the Jockey Club Exploring Chinese Culture Ambassador Programme Commendation Ceremony (1st right).

The Club has long been committed to promoting Chinese culture, fostering its appreciation among the public, particularly the younger generation. The Club actively supports the vision of establishing Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan. Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Lester Huang said: “The Jockey Club Exploring Chinese Culture Ambassador Programme deepens students’ understanding and practice of Chinese culture through interactive, multi-level learning experiences. It nurtures cultural confidence, humanistic qualities and positive values. The three-year programme is expected to benefit over 75,000 students, educators and members of the community.”

Club Steward Lester Huang delivers a speech at the Jockey Club Exploring Chinese Culture Ambassador Programme Commendation Ceremony.

Guided by the theme of Chinese aesthetics, the Jockey Club Exploring Chinese Culture Ambassador Programme is centred around three pillars: Art of Handicraft, Art of Architecture and Art of Costumes. Through a progressive journey across cultural modules covering everyday arts, traditional attire and architecture, students gain a holistic understanding of Chinese culture’s beauty while cultivating positive character traits and values. Interactive taster sessions bring cultural groups into schools, delivering engaging talks on key cultural topics to students, educators and parents. Hands-on workshops allow students to explore practices such as a tea ceremony, lion dance, Cantonese opera and traditional architectural modelling, combining practical engagement and intellectual curiosity. Students demonstrating potential and enthusiasm are selected to join the advanced Chinese Culture Ambassador Training Programme. This includes small-group workshops and study visits to Chinese architectural heritage sites in Hong Kong and the Mainland, where students experience intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship and deepen their cultural knowledge. Once training is completed, the Chinese Culture Ambassadors share their learning in care institutions, coordinated by community organisations, translating their experiences into meaningful social impact.

Officiating guests and student ambassadors from the Jockey Club Exploring Chinese Culture Ambassador Programme.

The Jockey Club Exploring Chinese Culture Ambassador Programme Fun Fair underway at Tai Kwun showcases students’ learning outcomes of the past year while also bringing together programme partners to celebrate Chinese culture with the public through interactive booths, live performances and workshops, offering citizens a rich and immersive cultural experience.

The Jockey Club Exploring Chinese Culture Ambassador Programme Fun Fair showcases students’ learning outcomes of the past year while also bringing together programme partners to celebrate Chinese culture with the public through interactive booths, live performances and workshops, offering citizens a rich and immersive cultural experience.

The Club’s support for the Jockey Club Exploring Chinese Culture Ambassador Programme, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Guests tour Tai Kwun.

Basketball icon Allen Iverson visited ELCHK Hung Hom Lutheran Primary School yesterday afternoon (16 September), where he met 30 local students of the Rising Stars 3×3 Basketball Development in Primary Schools Programme under the Jockey Club Believe & Bounce Basketball Programme: InspiringHK Dream Factory. Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and organised by InspiringHK Sports Foundation (“IHKSports”), the three-year programme promotes participation in 3x3 basketball and supports students’ development through sports. The school visit was a special activity arranged by IHKSports to enrich participating students’ learning experience where Iverson provided mentorship and skills guidance, as well as shared personal stories of resilience with the students.

Allen Iverson and Mr. William Fong, Chairperson of IHKSports, interact with primary school students .

The vision of IHKSports is "Better Youths, through Sports". This activity exemplifies its commitment to promoting the physical development and character building of children and youth through basketball.

Allen Iverson receives a souvenir from participating students.

During the activity, 30 primary school students showcased their skills and teamwork under the guidance of the coaching team. Iverson observed the session and personally offered guidance and encouragement. In addition, Iverson took part in a sharing session, answered students’ questions, and discussed how to overcome adversity, maintain self-confidence, and pursue their dreams. The activity concluded with a group photo session, during which Iverson presented souvenirs, including a signed basketball, creating unforgettable memories for the students.

Allen Iverson speaks to a student about resilience, overcoming adversity.

Mr. William Fong, Chairperson of IHKSports, said: "Allen Iverson's basketball career is a powerful testament to the true strength of sport. It demonstrates the importance of resilience, hard work and confidence. His journey is built on constantly pushing his limits and never giving up. We hope this rare exchange opportunity will help young people appreciate that regardless of their starting point, perseverance can help them find their own path to success. IHKSports will continue to use sport to inspire the younger generation to pursue their dreams and carry a proactive spirit into their studies and daily lives."

Allen Iverson receives a souvenir from Mr. William Fong & local artist Mr. Roy Cheng.

Sharing session and interactive Q&A featuring Allen Iverson.

Sharing session and interactive Q&A featuring Allen Iverson.

Event Highlights

• Training session under the Jockey Club Believe & Bounce Basketball Programme: InspiringHK Dream Factory - Rising Stars 3×3 Basketball Development in Primary Schools Programme

• Sharing session and interactive Q&A featuring Allen Iverson

• Group photo session and souvenir presentation ceremony

• Commemorative basketball signing session with Allen Iverson

Sharing Session by Hong Kong A1 Division basketball player, Mr. Anthony Groot Baltink.

Sharing Session by Hong Kong A1 Division basketball player, Mr. Anthony Groot Baltink.

This special activity not only offered students a rare opportunity to interact with a world-renowned basketball icon, but also sought to inspire the next generation through Iverson's personal story. By sharing his experiences, IHKSports hoped to encourage young people to pursue their aspirations with determination, overcome adversity, and build resilience both on and off the court.

Group photo.