THE WORLD’S LONGEST-LIVED community provided powerful proof of its powers this week: with a sparkling display of high-energy tennis from older players, including some well into their 70s.
Hong Kong has long held the crown for global longevity, with men living to 82 and women to 88—and that “healthy aging” theme was much in evidence at an International Tennis Federation tournament held at the Hong Kong Country Club.
One of the competitors at the competition this week was Peter Woo, aged 78, one of Hong Kong’s best-known taipans—and still a powerful force on the tennis court.
‘THIS DOESN’T HAPPEN ANYWHERE ELSE’
People from more than 30 countries flew in for the Country Club ITF World Tennis Masters tour, which started on November 2 and ended last night.
Players who had jetted in for the event expressed surprise at how enjoyable Hong Kong is—and how efficient the city and its sports bodies are at organizing events.
“You don’t realize how good a tournament you put on,” said Glenn Busby, world number one in his category for 65+ players. “The accommodation, the tennis, the food, the entertainment: it’s just been amazing for us as tennis players. This doesn’t happen anywhere else really in the world.”
RETIRED TAIPAN
Peter Woo’s performance was notable. Although he has retired from the chairmanship of Wharf, a company associated with Hong Kong’s biggest icons, including the Star Ferry, Hong Kong Tramways, Harbour City, Times Square and so on, his powerful performance on the tennis court won big applause from an impressed crowd.
The event was part of tennis’s global “masters” project, which encourages older people to participate—designed for players aged 30 to 90 plus.
The popularity of the event delighted local organizers. “This is the crown jewel of our Veteran Tennis Association, with close to 400 players,” said Professor Herman Hu of the Hong Kong China Tennis Federation. Prof Hu is also chairman of Friday Culture, publisher of the present media group.
GOOD FOR HONG KONG
Many Hong Kong people are finding ways to battle the negative-news-only position taken by the western mainstream media when covering the city. Cultural events such as sports meets are providing popular ways of getting a more accurate image of Hong Kong to the world.
The Country Club recently hosted a major global event for the International Tennis Federation meeting (see video below), with participants including the world’s sports royalty, such as David Haggerty, who is on the International Olympic Committee.
At that meeting, US tennis association legend Brian Hainline shared a major scientific study showing that players of tennis and similar sports lived a remarkable 9.7 years longer than people who didn’t exercise—an interesting message for Hongkongers, already the world’s leaders in longevity.
Last night’s event turned into a good-natured international party, with people from west and east celebrating together—and a harbinger of a positive future for humanity on a wider scale.
Images by Hong Kong Country Club and fridayeveryday.