Taking 66,000,000 steps together: HKU "Around the World" Walking Challenge Kick-off ceremony

Taking 66,000,000 steps together is the target the University of Hong Kong (HKU) wants to reach in its Walk "Around the World" Challenge, the tallying of which begins on 1st May 2018. 

This Challenge is part of the “HKU Exercise is Medicine on Campus” initiative of the Centre for Sports and Exercise, in partnership with HKU Global. Accumulating 66,000,000 steps is about the equivalent of walking around the world, and HKU staff, students and alumni will be putting their best foot forward throughout May 2018 to work together to reach this this goal – the most ambitious attempt for the higher education sector!

A Kick-off ceremony to launch this effort was held on 18^th April 2018 at the Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre on campus with the presence of Mr Yeung Tak Keung, Commissioner for Sports of the HKSAR Home Affairs Bureau, Professor John Kao, Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor of HKU Global and Professor Terry Au, Vice President, Pro-Vice Chancellor of HKU Academic Staffing and Resources, as well as over 100 guests, including working partners, staff and students.

Mr Yeung Tak Keung, Commissioner for Sports of the HKSAR Home Affairs Bureau, was present at the ceremony to support and give opening remarks. "In recent health surveys lack of time or sports facilities are reasons given by many respondents for not doing regular exercise. Walking, however, is a great form of exercise that can be done anytime, anywhere throughout the day. If we spare three sessions of 15 minutes each day in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening, we will easily be able to accumulate 8-10 thousand steps per day, which is recognized as a good daily goal." Mr Yeung also pledged that he will join the challenge with his friends from the HKU family. “I have tracked my steps for over 2 years and my daily average is about 13 thousand steps per day, so I will form a team and do my part to contribute to this meaningful initiative.”

Professor John Kao, Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor of HKU Global, a key partner in the “Around the World” Walking Challenge, said in his opening address: “This is an an event which the entire HKU community can join to promote healthy living and to highlight HKU global activities while building a sense of community with our staff, students, and alumni around the world. We are grateful to have the enthusiastic support of multiple campus units, community partners, and corporate sponsors who also value what this event represents.We hope the impact of our collective effort will continue well beyond the completion of this friendly competition."

Dr. Michael Tse, Chairman of Exercise is Medicine on Campus, also said: “Regardless of whether you are fit or unfit, whether you walk a lot or a little, whether you live in Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York, London, or anywhere in the world, if you are part of the HKU family you are welcome to join this Challenge to help HKU be the first university in Hong Kong to walk around the world.” He also expressed the importance of inclusivity, stating: “The HKU Walking Challenge is an inclusive challenge for people of all ages, genders, fitness levels and capabilities. We even have a way of converting wheelchair use into steps, as everyone’s contributions are important to us in achieving this goal.” Dr. Tse also thanked major sponsor Cathay Pacific, event supporters Adidas and Me Fitness and numerous partners and stakeholders within HKU for their valuable support.

Guests at the Kick-off ceremony also tried some of the fitness equipment that was set up at the event. They walked a few minutes on treadmills to represent the first few steps for the Walking Challenge as did a total of 6,750 steps accumulated for the Kick-Off .

The 31-day walking challenge commences on 1st May and will go on for the entire month. Registration is now open and participants are encouraged to sign up at: https://www.eim.cse.hku.hk/activities/hku-walking-challenge.html

For media enquiries, please contact Ms. Lau, Centre for Sports and Exercise (tel: 2872 1211/ Chiwah_lau@hku.hk)