The Hong Kong Sevens will kick off at Kai Tak Sports Park for the first time at the end of March. Mak Kwai-chung, one of the few full-time Chinese players in the Hong Kong Team, shared that his passion for rugby was cultivated by his two elder brothers, Mak Kwai-tung and Mak Kwai-hin, who are currently serving in the Force. Chung mentioned that his connection with the sport began in primary school, with the brothers supporting each other in training. “I used to think rugby was all about physical contact. Thanks to my brothers’ guidance, I learned that to find their place among foreign players with larger bodies, Chinese players must use their brains and focus on positioning, speed and quick reflexes.”

As the eldest, Tung, currently stationed at the District Anti-triad Section of Wong Tai Sin District, is grateful for introducing his younger brothers to rugby, which has given them many shared memories. He smiled, “Our first flight was to Southeast Asia for a rugby exchange match!”

Subsequently, both Tung and Hin were selected to play for the teams under Hong Kong Rugby Team and gained valuable experience competing against other teams. The youngest, Chung, was trained in Hong Kong U20 rugby team. Their most memorable match was in 2017 when the three brothers represented the Sai Kung Team in the Hong Kong Games final. The team was trailing by a touchdown in the final moments. Under pressure, Tung and Hin coordinated midfield passes, maneuvering through tight defences to pass the ball to Chung, who broke through the opponents’ defences and successfully scored to tie the game. Tung then scored the winning penalty, and the trio turned the game around to a victory. Chung gained fame from that match and was invited to join the Hong Kong team. The next year, he was signed as a full-time player.

Hong Kong rugby ranks among the top in Asia, with competition for spots on the team being fierce. Although Tung and Hin did not advance further in their athletic careers, they have brought the spirit of rugby into their police work. Both brothers note that the resilience honed on the rugby field is invaluable in their new roles. Hin, now with the Miscellaneous Enquiries Sub-unit of Chai Wan Division, explains, “On the field, my brother and I played as midfielders, accustomed to being surrounded and intercepted by opponents, and effectively passing to forwards to score. We’ve learned to remain calm and decisive under pressure, assisting our team in completing tasks efficiently.”

Despite their busy police duties, both brothers continue to participate in rugby, representing the Force or disciplinary forces in local and overseas matches, bringing pride to Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the youngest brother continues to pursue his athletic dreams, striving to represent Hong Kong in the National Games at the end of this year. The trio are grateful for the way this sport has honed their physical and mental skills, helping them scoring their touchdowns on and off field.