Edgar sets sight on East Asian Games in 2009
"The success of Mr Wong Fai, the Gold Medallist of the 25-M Standard Pistol event of the 4th East Asian Games, will reinforce the Government's determination to take this shooting sport forward and provide more funding support to boost Hong Kong's chance for medals at the Asian Games 2006 in Doha and Olympics 2008 in Beijing," said Edgar, who is also the Secretary General of the Hong Kong Shooting Association, the official governing body for Olympic-type/ISSF shooting events of HKSAR.
"It's on-ground competition management and team integration, plus some luck, that have made our success possible. The shoot-off of five shots in 10 seconds that Mr Wong Fai was required to take against the world's record holder of this event, North Korea's Kim Jong-su, was arranged effectively in terms of the ways we managed the shooting lane for him and on-ground atmosphere, and following the rules set for this shoot-off, which have been revised from three rounds of five shots to one round starting this year. All these happened within 15 minutes, requiring a team manager to give absolutely clear decisions to the shooter. I'm glad that I did it properly. One has also to bear in mind that this type of shoot-off has rarely happened in the standard pistol event of a world-class competition," said Edgar.
Mr Wang Yi-fu, Chief Shooting Coach of the China National Squad, congratulated Edgar on his achievement after the prize presentation ceremony. "It's a good start for taking Hong Kong shooting forward. Keep up your good work; we're always behind you!" said Mr Wang.
Edgar will lead the Hong Kong Shooting Team for intensive training in China in two months, while the Asian Games 2006 is about one year away.
"Government support is essential. Pillar Point will become the key location that we will work with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and other related departments for building proper shooting ranges for the East Asian Games 2009 to be held in Hong Kong.
"This is the first time that I have ever served as a team manager for games. Shooting is a mind-game, and team members should have discipline and harmony, and complement and care about each other so that each will be able to perform without any emotional burden," said Edgar.
Mr Edgar Yang (left) with Gold medallist, Mr Wong Fai