Basketball Icon Allen Iverson Visits a Hong Kong School, Inspiring 30 Local Students Under the Jockey Club Believe & Bounce Basketball Programme Through Basketball and Stories of Resilience

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.

A delegation of some 80 athletes from Hong Kong, China will compete at the 5th Asian Para Games. Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club The Hon Kenneth Fok attended the flag presentation ceremony today (17 September) to give the delegation a heartfelt send-off ahead of the Games. The Club will provide cash incentive awards for medallists at the Games and wishes them every success.

Guests joining athletes at the flag presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong, China delegation to the 5th Asian Para Games included Rosanna Law, HKSAR Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism ( 2nd row, 11th left ); Jenny Fung, President of the Paralympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (2nd row, 12th left); and The Hon Kenneth Fok, Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club ( 2nd row, 8th left).

Guests joining athletes at the flag presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong, China delegation to the 5th Asian Para Games included Rosanna Law, HKSAR Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism ( front row, 7th right); Jenny Fung, President of the Paralympic Committee of Hong Kong, China ( front row, 6th right); and The Hon Kenneth Fok, Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (front row, 3rd right).

In August, the Club announced a new cycle of the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (JCAIAS), to be implemented by the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI). The scheme will cover seven major upcoming sporting events. The 5th Asian Para Games, taking place across multiple cities in Japan, including Nagoya in Aichi prefecture, will be the second major event under the new JCAIAS cycle, following the 20th Asian Games. The Club will provide cash awards to members of the Hong Kong, China team who win gold, silver and bronze medals in individual and team events. Gold medallists in individual and team events will receive HK$250,000 and HK$500,000, respectively. (Please refer to the table below for details.)

Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club The Hon Kenneth Fok (left) offers encouragement to the Hong Kong, China team ahead of the 5th Asian Para Games, including para badminton player Chow Long Ho ( right).

Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club The Hon Kenneth Fok (9th right) offers encouragement to the Hong Kong, China team ahead of the 5th Asian Para Games, as well as para table tennis players Pang Wing Ka ( 8th right) and Wong Yue Ching (7th right). They are all JC Scholars.

As a world-class horse sports organisation, the Club has promoted sports at both the community and elite levels through numerous initiatives, enabling people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to participate. Such initiatives range from partnering with the Government to establish the HKSI (formerly the Jubilee Sports Centre) and establishing a fund to support elite athletes’ training and career development, to jointly launching the Sports Science and Research Funding Scheme with the Government in recent years to strengthen Hong Kong athletes’ competitiveness.

Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club The Hon Kenneth Fok (2nd left) together with Deputy Chef de Mission of the Hong Kong, China delegation to the 5th Asian Para Games John Leung (1st right) offer encouragement to para badminton player Chu Man Kai (1st left) and Boccia athlete Leung Yuk Wing (2nd right).

Group photo.

Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme - Details of Cash Incentives: 5th Asian Para Games (18 to 24 October 2026)