Empowering the Next Generation of Sports Talent and Holistic Education in the Greater Bay Area
With the successful conclusion of the Paris Olympics, a new wave of elite sports enthusiasm is set to “row” into the Greater Bay Area. On 19 September, the AISL Harrow Rowing Regatta 2024, part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau series, was announced at a press conference held in Hengqin. The regatta will take place on 30 November and 1 December at the Hengqin Rowing Park in China.
This prestigious event aligns with the GBA’s talent development plan and the 14th Five-Year Plan for national sports development in China, embodying the vision of “One Bay. One Vision. Rowing to Greatness.” It is poised to attract hundreds of elite rowers from the GBA and around the world to Hengqin.
During the press conference, a diverse array of representatives gathered to witness the official launch of the regatta. Notable attendees included Mr. Huang Yujie, Director, and Ms. Feng Fongtan, Deputy Director of the Livelihood Affairs Bureau of Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Dr. Rosanna Wong, DBE, JP, Chairman, Mr. Eric Leung, CEO and Dr. Ahmed Hussain, Chief Education Officer, of AISL Group, Mr. Eric Fok, JP, Standing Committee Member of Guangdong Provincial Committee of CPPCC and Chairman of Vivere Sky Group, Mr. Chen Zhipeng, Founder of Tinmuk Rowing Club. Additional distinguished guests included Mr. Kenneth Fok, JP, Deputy to the National People’s Congress and Vice Chairman of the All-China Youth Federation, Ms. HO Kim Fai, Chairman of Hong Kong China Rowing Association, Ms. Linda Chen, Chairman of Wynn Care Foundation, and Ms. Gao Jingping, Director of The Public and Youth Committee of the Chinese Rowing Association.
Rowing as Catalyst: Weaving the Essence of Bay Area to Nurture Global Talent
Originating from the UK, Harrow School has deep ties to the tradition: in 1829, two Old Harrovians established rowing teams at Oxford and Cambridge, initiating the first Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race and laying the foundation for modern rowing competitions. Upholding this legacy, AISL Harrow Schools also offer rowing programmes that cultivate well-rounded talents and future leaders.
In recent years, rowing has flourished as a unifying cultural bond among youth in the GBA. Recognising this opportunity, AISL Group, in collaboration with renowned sports development organisations Vivere Sky Group and Tinmuk Rowing Club, invited Olympic rowers to co-create this large-scale international rowing event aims at identifying and nurturing rowing talent.
Five Key Objectives: Contributing to the Advancement and Integration of the GBA
The AISL Harrow Rowing Regatta is centred around five key objectives: talent development, GBA integration, community engagement, international cooperation, and holistic education. The regatta has received authoritative guidance from the Livelihood Affairs Bureau of Guangdong- Macao in-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, alongside support from various organisations, including the Hong Kong China Rowing Association, and Macau University of Science and Technology. This exemplifies the collaborative development of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau.
“Rowing embodies and instils Harrow’s core values, sportsmanship, and global citizenship. We hope that young people will gain personal growth that transcends athletic competition, benefiting them for a lifetime,” shared Dr. Rosanna Wong, JP.
Mr. Eric Fok, JP, emphasised: “The regatta brings together young rowers from the GBA, and overseas, fostering international cultural exchange that contributes to making Hengqin a vibrant city and enhancing friendships within the region and around the world.”
