Lingnan University Admits Record 7 Elite Athletes for 2026/27 Academic Year
On.cc · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Lingnan University has set a new record by admitting seven elite athletes through its Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme for the 2026/27 academic year . Among the cohort, five athletes will enrol in the third year of the Bachelor of Social Sciences in Sports Coaching and Event Management programme . The university will provide each athlete with HK$400,000 in financial support encompassing tuition, living costs, and accommodation expenses . The group includes twin siblings Ma Yishan and Ma Yifei, both members of the Hong Kong cycling team who were inspired by legendary cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze to pursue the sport .
Key Points
- The seven athletes include twin cyclists Ma Yishan and Ma Yifei, who won gold in the men's youth Madison at the National Track Cycling Championships
- Guo Junren claimed the 2025 Hong Kong Road Cycling Championship U23 title, while Xiao Jiajun earned bronze in the men's youth Keirin at the 2023 Hong Kong International Velodrome Cup
- Five athletes will study Sports Coaching and Event Management in year three, with two others enrolling in Psychology and Philosophy programmes
- Support measures include priority course registration, flexible class and examination arrangements, and career planning guidance
- Other universities also recruited athletes: City University (52), HKU (16), Baptist University (9), with CUHK awarding scholarships to 10 students
Why It Matters
The record admission reflects Hong Kong's universities increasingly viewing elite athletes as valuable contributors to academic innovation and knowledge creation . By integrating athletes' practical experience in training, competition, and psychological adjustment with academic research, Lingnan aims to advance sports coaching development, sports psychology, and large-scale sports event management in Hong Kong .
The record admission reflects Hong Kong's universities increasingly viewing elite athletes as valuable contributors to academic innovation and knowledge creation . By integrating athletes' practical experience in training, competition, and psychological adjustment with academic research, Lingnan aims to advance sports coaching development, sports psychology, and large-scale sports event management in Hong Kong .