Former Force table tennis aces still make the grade
Last year, 78-year-old retired Sergeant Ho Wai-kau and 74-year-old retired Senior Police Constable Kam Kwong-yin clinched the championship and first-runner title respectively in the men's singles event of a table tennis tournament organised by the Hong Kong Society for the Aged.
In their younger days, both table tennis aces have won numerous trophies in table tennis tournaments both inside and outside the Force.
Mr Ho showed his talent and skills in table tennis as early as while receiving training at Police Training School in 1951, winning the championship of men's singles event. After leaving PTS, he continued to add to his medal haul.
He was formerly famous for mastering bats with different sides of pimpled rubber and versatile tactics in matches. He proved too strong for many opponents, earning for himself the reputation as the "Long Rubber Master".
Mr Kam's record in table tennis is no less impressive. He still has fond memory of the many big battles he fought alongside renowned team-mates like Ho Wai-kau, Chiu Tak-piu, Kwok Chong-yim and Yung Ting-fai.
He has established a unique style in his play. Being good at lobbing and employing fast attacking play, on both back and short courts, he never meant to be easy for his opponents and would wear them down gradually, gaining the title of "Odd Magic Hand".
The pair has won countless medals since 1973. Besides men's singles event in Force Inter-District tournaments, in external tournament they made history by clinching the championships in ten consecutive years (thus twice allowed to permanently retain the Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants' Association Cup), held the record of ten championships in the Hong Kong-Macao Tournament, and won numerous championships in the team events of the Police Credit Union Cup.
Right now, they are devoted to promoting the sport among young people and coaching young players. Mr Kam has a long association with the Hong Kong Table Tennis Association and is still serving as a coach and referee.
They also share the views that the sport has a lot to offer for both mental and physical developments.
"The sport makes our muscles and joints limber, thus enhancing the speed of movements of our limbs. It also helps develop one's response, agility and the ability to balance and control the mind," they say.
Police Table Tennis Club says that table tennis is not only a competitive and entertaining game, but also helps develop players' courage, agility, tenacity, and resourcefulness. It is also a good exercise to maintain physical fitness, youthfulness and vigour, as well as adjustment of the nerve. According to medical reports, the sport can improve the nervous system and reflex, thus preventing the elderly from losing their memory, and strengthen community communication as well.
The club runs training sessions for Force members and their families every Wednesday from 5 pm to 7 pm, and every Saturday from 4 pm to 8 pm in Police Sports and Recreation Club.
Mr Ho (left) and Mr Kam never stop playing in order to keep fit