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January 20, 2016

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High hopes for Hong Kong ice hockey

For many middle-aged and elderly women in China, square dancing is a favorite pastime. But for Chin Puisi Rebecca, a 58-year-old Hong Kong resident, playing ice hockey is the best way to keep fit.

鈥淧laying ice hockey together with these young girls makes me feel younger and younger. It requires good coordination between my eyes, hands and feet, so it has helped me keep fit all along these years,鈥 Chin told reporters on Monday after a training session there ahead of the 13th National Winter Games.

Chin, who owned a balloon factory in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, started to play ice hockey as a hobby in 1998. She didn鈥檛 receive professional training until 2011 when retired Chinese national team player Tan Anqi began her coaching career in Hong Kong.

All members of the Hong Kong ice hockey team, some college students and others white-collar clerks, are amateur players. When they participate in big hockey events, they need to ask for leave from work and pay all their expenses themselves.

鈥淪everal players are over 50 years old. I鈥檓 really touched by their devotion,鈥 said Tan.

According to the organizers, Chin is the oldest athlete at the 13th National Winter Games, which will open today in Xinjiang. Chin is excited about her first appearance in the quadrennial event.

鈥淭an helped us a lot,鈥 Chin said. 鈥淣ow we can not only represent Hong Kong, China, in the National Winter Games, but also play in international events.鈥

It is probably Chin鈥檚 last time to feature in the National Winter Games, but she hopes the team鈥檚 participation will help raise the standard of ice hockey in Hong Kong.

鈥淵ou will see a much stronger Hong Kong team in a few years,鈥 Chin said.


 

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