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The “BOC Life Hong Kong Harbour Marathon 2024”(The Marathon), the first-ever harbour marathon in Hong Kong title sponsored by BOC Group Life Assurance Company Limited (BOC Life), was held successfully on 13th April 2024.  The event is fully supported by the Harbourfront Commission and Energizing Kowloon East Office, Development Bureau of the HKSAR Government, with dozens of heavy-weight cross-sector leaders participated to support the charity race. The Marathon raised funds for RunOurCity Foundation and St. James’ Settlement’s youth development and STEAM education projects respectively. The Marathon started with the “CEO Run” from HarbourChill in Wanchai with participants including Wilson Tang, Chief Executive of BOC Life; Vincent Cheng, Legislative Councillor and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Sports Institute; Vincent Ng, Chairman of the Harbourfront Commission; April Kun, Head of Energizing Kowloon East Office, Development Bureau; Dr Fung Hong, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the CUHK Medical Centre; Francis Ngai, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SVhk; Andes Leung, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of RunOurCity, Elton Ng, Founder and CEO of CORES, and Alex Ko, COO of Ming Pao Newspapers Limited. The Marathon showcased the cross-sector collaboration comprising the HKSAR government, commercial and social sectors, creating synergies and win-win while injecting positive energy into the society. BOC Life formed 14 corporate teams from its staff members and also colleagues of BOC Hong Kong to run for the youth development and STEAM education in Hong Kong. Wilson Tang, Chief Executive of BOC Life shared, “BOC Life is delighted to be the title sponsor of the first-ever harbour marathon in Hong Kong, embodying cross-sector collaboration from the HKSAR government, commercial and NGO sectors to create social value and win-win for all parties in the society. BOC Life is committed to delivering its brand promise of being the trusted life partner of its stakeholders. We work with different sectors to create greater social impact. This Marathon encourages employees to strengthen their physical wellness and enhances their resilience and team spirit, promoting the ‘Wellness Ecosystem’ and injecting positive energy to benefit the individuals, the corporations and the society at large.” Francis Ngai, Founder and CEO of the organizer SVhk said, “BOC Life Hong Kong Harbour Marathon 2024 is dedicated to facilitate employee wellness and promote the corporate culture of ‘Business with Purpose’, offering a practical platform for companies to show their commitment in social responsibility of ESG aspect. This year, we introduce the element of relay into the Marathon. With the CEO Run, we encourage corporate leaders to be the first baton of the relay, motivating their employees to run for a good cause together while staff members participating in other batons to complete the race as a team effort. This event not only reflects the dual commitment of the company to employee wellness and social responsibility, but also presents a mutual beneficial solution that integrates corporate mission with societal progress.” Andes Leung, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of RunOurCity, the event co-organiser & beneficiary, pointed out, “RunOurCity has consistently transformed lives through running, and in recent years, we have organised projects focusing on holistic physical and mental health. We are now dedicated to promoting the physical and mental wellness of employees and highlighting the importance of employee wellness through BOC Life Hong Kong Harbour Marathon 2024. This Marathon actively encourages companies to participate, raising their staff’s awareness on wellness and fostering team spirit through completing the Marathon in a relay format. It is truly meaningful as it also helps those in need in the society.” Josephine Lee, Chief Executive Officer of St. James’ Settlement, another benefiting organisation, stated, “On behalf of St. James’ Settlement, I would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Marathon as we are selected to be one of the beneficiaries of the BOC Life Hong Kong Harbour Marathon 2024. BOC Life generously increases the sponsorship for the new cohort of ‘BOC Life New Generation Financial and Technology Designers’ Programme’, and with matching grant from the Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged under Social Welfare Department, the number of students benefiting from the programme has increased by over 50% as compared to the previous cohort. Together, we continue to cultivate the students’ knowledge in technology, environmental protection and financial management, enhancing their creativity, integration and application of knowledge and skills to face future challenges.” The course of the “BOC Life Hong Kong Harbour Marathon 2024” started from the HarbourChill in Wanchai and was divided into eight checkpoints, with participating corporate teams engaging in relay running. The routes covered various harbour front areas across different districts of Hong Kong, allowing participants to run into the community and enjoy the stunning Harbour scenery. The Marathon also featured support stations along the routes, providing participants with cheering and supplies. The on-site atmosphere was filled with joy and the exhilarating energy of enthusiasm. A carnival was held concurrently with corporate booths and fun-filled activities supported by various organisations. There were also performances by youth groups, making it a delightful and meaningful weekend for all participants.  

Title sponsored by BOC Group Life Assurance Company Limited (BOC Life) and organised by The Gymnastics Association of Hong Kong, China, "BOC Life 6th Trampoline Asian Championships 2024" will take place in Hong Kong for the first time on 11th and 12th May, 2024. This esteemed event, supported by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, HKSAR Government with the Arts and Sport Development Fund (ASDF) (Sports Portion), has received official authorization from the Federation Internationale De Gymnastique (FIG) and the Asian Gymnastics Union (AGU). Bringing together over 120 top trampoline athletes from 12 Asian countries and regions, this two-day competition promises to showcase the exceptional skills and talent of Asian trampoline elites, as well as compete for the qualification matches for the Paris Olympics. Mr. Wilson Tang, Chief Executive of BOC Life, the title sponsor of the event shared, "BOC Life is honoured to be the title sponsor of the ‘6th Trampoline Asian Championships 2024’ which will be held for the first time in Hong Kong. Together with the Gymnastics Association of Hong Kong, China, we are proud to support this prestigious sporting event that brings together elite tampolinists from 12 Asian countries and regions. Through this sponsorship, we promote the challenging and fun-filled sport of trampoline, while creating more opportunities for young athletes in Hong Kong to develop their sporting potential and talent, and cultivate a new generation that dares to break boundaries, challenges themselves, and strives for excellence. This will embody the Olympic motto of ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’ and making contributions towards nurturing future elite trampolinists and Olympic medalists for Hong Kong."  Mr. Kenneth Fok Kai Kong, JP, the President of the Gymnastics Association of Hong Kong, China, representing the organising committee, also expressed, "The Trampoline Asian Championships serves as a premier platform for showcasing talent and fostering competition. Through hosting this significant trampoline event for the first time in Hong Kong, our aim is to promote trampoline sports and raise awareness among the citizens of Hong Kong. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for local athletes to engage in exchanges and competitions with world-class athletes, enhancing their skills and striving to become top contenders for medals. We hope that trampoline sports will become an elite program at the Hong Kong Sports Institute." During the press conference to announce the championships, Mr. Li Xiaopeng was appointed to be the ambassador for promoting the event. Coach Lam Pak Leung, the head coach of the Hong Kong Trampoline Team, also led a group of Hong Kong trampoline athletes, including Lee Kwun Wai, Liu Kit Ying Jennifer, Lai Shun Hey Marcus, to perform a professional and exciting trampoline demonstration. They showcased their skills and demonstrated their determination to compete for medals. To enhance the promotion of trampoline activities, the organising committee will set up various experiential activities in different areas throughout Hong Kong starting from late April. From 24th April to 12th May, there will be experiential activities at Tsuen Wan Plaza, allowing the public to experience the fun of trampoline.    

BOC Group Life Assurance Company Limited (BOC Life), in partnership with Social Ventures Hong Kong (SVhk), inaugurates the “The BOC Life Hong Kong Harbour Marathon”, a charity race to fund Hong Kong’s youth development and STEAM educational projects. The first fund-raising marathon that loops around the Hong KongHarbour, taking place on 13th April 2024, with strong support from the Harbourfront Commission and the Energizing Kowloon East Office of the Development Bureau, HKSAR Government. Embodying cross-sector collaboration, involving the public, commercial and NGO sectors, this event aims at raising funds to support RunOurCity Foundation and St. James’ Settlement’s youth development and STEAM education projects respectively. In addition, this marathon promotes employee wellness among Hong Kong’s corporations, helping staff members enhance their perseverance and endurance to meet challenges, while injecting positive energy into enterprises, individuals and the society as a whole, contributing to Hong Kong’s development into a healthy and dynamic sustainable city. The Harbour Marathon will be kicked off with a CEO Run participated by CEOs and top executives from various sectors, at HarbourChill of Wanchai, to be followed by relays of respective corporate teams to complete the 42km marathon. Through participation in this exclusive marathon, C-suite executives are enabled to show care to their employees as well as the community at large.  With the route covering the waterfronts, runners will be able to enjoy not only the stunning views of the Hong Kong Harbour but also the vistas of various districts. On the marathon day, a fun-filled carnival will be held at HarbourChill for runners’ colleagues, families and friends to support, cheer and take photos with the runners onsite. They could also participate in new sports activities and games, and enjoy a unique yet memorable day together. Details of the “The BOC Life Hong Kong Harbour Marathon” are as follows: Date:    13 April 2024 (Saturday) Time:    10:00 am to 6:00 pm (Kick-off Ceremony at 9:45 am) Start & Finish Point and Carnival: HarbourChill, Wanchai, Hong Kong. For details, please access the BOC Life Harbour Marathon website: www.harbourmarathon.hk Wilson Tang, Chief Executive of BOC Life said, “BOC Life is committed to fostering cross-sector collaboration to create win-win for all parties in the society. Youth education and development has been a key focus of BOC Life’s corporate philanthropy programmes. The participating corporate teams not only be able to raise funds for youth development and education projects, but can also promote team spirit through the relay runs, encouraging employees to exercise more to enhance physical fitness as well as perseverance to positively tackle challenges in life. Furthermore, this event will create triple wins to individuals, enterprises and the society, killing multiple birds with one stone. We are thrilled to have invited heavy-weight cross-industry corporate leaders from the public, commercial, sports, medical, social services and media sectors to join the CEO Run. Their participation to walk the talk in driving employees’ wellness will set a good example for other corporations to follow.” Francis Ngai, Founder and CEO of the organizer SVhk said, “Staff well-being is a key focus of employers. The BOC Life Hong Kong Harbour Marathon has provided a good platform for companies to show their concern for the physical and mental health of their employees. They could also build staff bonding, co-operation and team spirit In addition, through the training and the race.” The HKSAR Government’s support also contributed to the smooth running of the Marathon. Vincent Ng, Chairman of the Harbourfont Commission said, “The Harbourfont Commission strives to promote the vibrant development of the harbourfront, actively enhancing its vitality for the well-being of the citizens. The BOC Life Hong Kong Harbour Marathon will take runners through the beautiful waterfront areas, and various vistas of many districts, bringing people closer to the waters and giving them an unforgettable experience.” Participants of the CEO Run include heavyweight leaders from the public, commercial and social services sectors, namely,  Vincent Cheng, Legislative Councillor and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Sports Institute; Vincent Ng, Chairman of the Harbourfront Commission; Ricky Chu, Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission; Leonie Lee, Commissioner for the Harbourfront; April Kun, Head of Energizing Kowloon East Office, Development Bureau; Dr Fung Hong, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the CUHK Medical Centre; Wilson Tang, Chief Executive of BOC Life; Elton NG, Founder & CEO at CORES; Alex Ko, COO of Ming Pao Newspapers Limited; Titania Woo, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Management Association; Josephine Lee, Chief Executive Officer of St. James' Settlement; Joyce Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Award for Young People; Francis Ngai, Founder and CEO of Social Ventures Hong Kong; and Andes Leung, Co-Founder and CEO of RunOurCity.    

BOC Group Life Assurance Company Limited (“BOC Life”) and St. James’ Settlement jointly announced the launch of the 2023-2024 “BOC Life New Generation Financial and Technology Designers’ Programme” today. The programme has been enhanced by introducing courses designed by an internationally-renowned academic institution, using a more structured approach for learning, aiming to cultivate students’ interest in innovation through fun and creative learning experiences. The programme was first introduced in 2021, with an objective to promote STEAM education in Hong Kong by supporting underprivileged students entitled to the “Grant-in-aid Brightens Children’s Lives Service” of St. James’ Settlement. Curated for young learners, the curriculum integrates technology application with creative exploration to unlock their potential in innovation. In addition, the curriculum incorporated elements of environmental protection and financial management education, fostering students’ awareness of these concepts from a young age. Since its inception, the programme has already benefited a total of close to 310 students. Supported by the matching grant from the Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged managed by the Social Welfare Department, this new term will run for three years and is expected to benefit another 480 students, thereby bringing the total number of beneficiaries to nearly 800. The curriculum is designed for upper primary school students, using internationally-recognised teaching materials. It is aimed to empower students with coding skills for developing mobile applications (APPs), while also integrating concepts of environment, social and governance (ESG) and financial management, for example low carbon tips. Students will also have the opportunity to explore the connection between APPs and various STEAM tools, including micro: bit minicomputer and other auxiliary tools, which will enable them to understand logical and abstract concepts, such as conditional expressions, and sequences. Ms. Vivienne Chiu, Chief Brand and Communications Officer of BOC Life, said, “BOC Life is devoted to charity projects, particularly those relating to education. This programme has been widely welcomed by schools and students. It supports the needs of STEAM education in Hong Kong by providing resources and equipment to schools, and families in need, so that students could develop their interests in STEAM and unleash their creativity. We look forward to more cross-sector collaboration in driving STEAM education and contributing to the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong.” Ms. Josephine Lee, Chief Executive Officer of St. James’ Settlement said, “We are very grateful to BOC Life and Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged for their support, which enable the programme to continue in the next three years. For school children, knowledge on innovation and technology, ESG, as well as financial management, will become increasingly important in the future. We hope that this programme will help equip school children, enhance their creativities and innovative ideas, and strengthen their abilities to apply knowledge and skills to meet future challenges.” At the opening ceremony, students and school representative enjoyed experimental activities designed to provide them with a deeper understanding of the programme.