Nine young athletes from five sports are in the running for the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) Outstanding Junior Athlete Award for the first quarter of 2007.
The athletes were nominated by their respective national sports associations after their outstanding performances last year.
The award scheme, presented by the HKSI with the support of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) and the Hong Kong Sports Press Association (HKSPA), aims to recognise the achievements of athletes under the age of 19 every three months.
Among the nominees this time are Annie Au Wing-chi and Joey Chan Ho-ling, who finished first and second, respectively, in the women's individual event at the Hoe Hin White Flower Ointment Asian Junior Squash Championships held in February in Hong Kong. Others include Chan Hung-yung, who paired up with Tse Ying-suet to rank fifth (out of 64 teams) in the girls' doubles at the Dutch Junior Badminton Championships held in February and March this year.
Tennis player Zhang Ling, 17, has also been nominated. She snatched a gold medal in the women's singles and a silver in the doubles at the Chief Minister's Cup ITF - Group 1 in Malaysia.
In addition, she captured a gold medal in the women's singles at the 18th Mitsubishi-Lancer International Junior Championships - Group 1 in the Philippines.
