Wong Wing Kit – Former Hong Kong Premier League Player: "How to balance dreams and reality?"
【Never Give Up Column】As the inaugural athlete interview for Never Give Up, we naturally had to invite the athlete who best embodies "Never Give Up" to be interviewed. We want to let more people understand how this former Hong Kong Premier League footballer "balances dreams and reality."
"Hello everyone! My name is Wong Wing Kit!"
This time, Never Give Up approached "Kit Jai" for an interview, and he readily agreed without hesitation. During the photoshoot on the day of the interview, he boldly said, "How do you want to shoot? I'll cooperate with you guys! Do you need another one?" Kit Jai's straightforward personality made the interview process very smooth!
Life's Turning Point
Before the interview, I was very curious why Kit Jai, after completing a four-year education diploma and working as a full-time teacher for three years, suddenly resigned from a full-time teaching job to become a professional footballer. "It's simple, because I love football. When such an opportunity comes, I definitely have to give it a try and experience the highest level of football in Hong Kong! This decision was one of the biggest turning points in my life, because it meant stepping out of my comfort zone and giving up a stable job to become a professional footballer. Especially in Hong Kong, being a full-time athlete offers less security, so it was quite a big decision."
"I don't want to regret it! I don't want to give up on my dream!"
A mentor can also be a major factor in life's important turning points. Every young person may have other untapped talents, just as a good horse needs a discerning eye to unleash its full potential. On his football journey, Kit Jai met such a mentor—the former head coach of the Hong Kong Premier League team Happy Valley, Pau Ka Yiu. "Coach Pau asked me if I was interested in playing for Happy Valley in the First Division, with plans for promotion to the Premier League. Of course, I was very interested; playing in the Premier League was my dream, so I immediately agreed to help without much thought. That year, we successfully won the championship and were promoted to the Premier League, fulfilling my Premier League dream, allowing me to perform for so many people at Mong Kok Stadium and Hong Kong Stadium." It's incredible how a chance opportunity fulfilled Kit Jai's dream of becoming a professional footballer.
"When I was little, I used to watch the English Premier League and La Liga all the time. I saw so many star players and wished I could be like them, hoping to become a star and make a living playing football."
Balancing Dreams and Reality
Everyone has a youthful recklessness, and all those foolish deeds eventually become precious memories. When asked Kit Jai, if you were to rate how much you love football out of ten, what score would you give? Kit Jai confidently replied, "Ten out of ten, definitely! I used to be crazy enough to go down to the football field alone with a ball and practice tirelessly, shooting at the wall repeatedly. After dinner, I'd play football with the neighbors; it was quite wild!" Speaking of his youth, Kit Jai also reminded the younger generation, "Devote your effort to football, but also to your studies. It's a safeguard for yourself; at the very least, you need a certain level of education. This will ensure your future development in your professional field, so don't neglect your studies!"
"How much do you love football? It's definitely a ten!"
What does "Never Give Up" mean to you?
"Never give up! Even though I've encountered many setbacks in my football career, I've never given up. Unhappiness is inevitable in life; it's impossible for everything and everyone to always go smoothly and as desired, but you must remain composed and keep practicing and trying. I believe that eventually, you will find an opportunity, and someone will appreciate you; that's when it will be your time to shine!"
"If you truly love something, you will never give up."
Throughout the interview, whenever football was mentioned, Kit Jai would smile. Football has brought him so much: memories, dreams, frustrations, successes, and failures. In the process, he may have lost some things, but one thing he never lost was perseverance! He seized every opportunity and never gave up!
"Don't give up easily, because opportunity might be right in front of you."
By Ho.W.K.
NGU
