Auxie WPC to take a shot at Olympics
Auxiliary Woman Police Constable Lo Ka-kei is set to take part in air pistol shooting in the Olympic Games at Athens in August, becoming the first local woman athlete for the event in Olympic Games.
The Olympic Committee of Hong Kong has endorsed Ms Lo's participation in the Athens Olympic Games.
Ms Lo has just been enlisted to Elite C of Hong Kong Sport Scholarship Athletes and awarded a grant of $30,000 for 2004/05 by the Hong Kong Sports Development Board.
"Ka-kei possesses the quality of being stable in terms of muscle memory and competition mindset," said Chief Inspector (Auxiliary) Edgar Yang, Captain of the HKSAR Olympic Shooting Team.
Ms Lo picked up the sport four years ago when she signed up for the Olympic Air Pistol Shooting Introductory Course conducted by the Hong Kong Shooting Association.
By January 2003, she had already achieved the minimum qualifying score for the 10-M Ladies' Air Pistol event, and had already taken part in a number of international competitions, including the World Cup at Busan in 2003, the Asian Shooting Championships 2004, and the South East Asia Shooting Championships 2000-2003.
"She practises regularly, and her determination has been consistent!" Mr Yang noted.
"I joined the Auxiliary Police because I believe that police work and the related training require a high level of discipline, which would help me achieve my goal to become a professional athlete," said Ms Lo.
Ms Lo participated in the Pre-Olympic World Cup Shooting Championships at Athens in April, and achieved satisfactory results in the 10-M Ladies Air Pistol event. This has enabled her to realise her lifelong dream of visiting the birthplace of the Olympics, Athens, and familiarise herself with the venue and weather for the upcoming Olympic Games there.
Mr Yang said: "Our shooting team needs more new blood, and we welcome those who are willing to take up serious training, especially members of the regular and auxiliary police forces who are experienced in the use of firearms and, more importantly, are subject to discipline and have determination and commitment.
"Currently, the events in which the Police have achieved satisfactory scores are Men's 25-M rapid firing, standard pistol and centre firing, as well as Ladies' 25-M sports pistol and 10-M air pistol, as demonstrated in the Asian Games, Asian Shooting Championships, and South East Asia Shooting Championships.
"We need some keen shooters to fill up the 50-M rifle shooting discipline. Any member of the Hong Kong Police Shooting Club, who is a keen and skilful rifle shooter, is welcome," Mr Yang added.
The Olympic Shooting Administration Office is located within the Hong Kong Shooting Association. The telephone number for enquiries during office hours is 2504-8138.
Lo Ka-kei is the first local woman athlete for air pistol event in Olympic Games