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Oliver Kwan

Pulcheria Chung

Pulcheria Chung, 18 St Mary's Canossian College

No. The objective of sports competitions is to give talented athletes a chance to to realise their potential. Rewards don't really matter because sportsmanship is the most important issue.

If we recruit mainland athletes, it would seem that we're trying to 'buy' our rewards in international events.  This is against the spirit of sportsmanship.

Besides, such a move would reduce the opportunities for local athletes to take part in international competitions and improve their standards.

If countries are allowed to recruit Chinese table tennis players, competitions would become a farce, with mainland stars representing various nations.

And if a mainland athlete won medals for Hong Kong, it doesn't feel quite the same as a locally born and trained athlete gaining glory for his territory.  For example, compare Hong Kong's 2004 Athens Olympic heroes, Li Ching and Ko Lai-chak, with local wind-surfing champion  Li Lai-shan. Unlike 'San San', the table-tennis duo built their reputation on the mainland.  Although we still feel happy, their success is an honour to the mainland's coaches, not Hong Kong.

Oliver Kwan, 18 Delia School of Canada

Yes, Hong Kong should recruit mainland players for sports competitions at international level.

I don't personally believe that is right. It 's similar to playing for the  highest bidder. Still, my personal beliefs aren't the issue here; success is. When it comes to international sports,  'winning is everything', even if this goes against long-standing sporting principles.

And if a country's sports officials are given the chance to recruit a player who's going to win medals for them, they'll do it.

So, should Hong Kong recruit mainland competitors? Yes, if it means staying on an equal footing  with the rest of the world. If other countries are going to do it,  there's no way Hong Kong could keep up. Besides,  Hong Kong would not be entirely forgetting about its own athletes. Although it may sound contradictory,  looking to the mainland might actually help Hong Kong athletes.

It will increase the pool of potential athletes, forcing anyone who wants to represent Hong Kong to work much harder.

So why hold ourselves back? Sure, buying players  destroys the idea of international competition. But we won't be the only ones doing it. And as wrong as it may be, if we don't, we'll be left behind.



Should the SAR recruit mainland athletes to participate in international sports events?