FINDING NEXT LIONEL MESSI THE GOAL FOR HONG KONG TEEN ON MANCHESTER UNITED VISIT

Jacky Cheung, set to visit the English club under a Jockey Club scheme, aims to become a 'great coach' and unearth top talent in city

One of the outstanding young Hong Kong leaders chosen to visit Manchester United next month has set himself the long-term goal of unearthing talent for the city the way Barcelona discovered Lionel Messi.

Jacky Cheung Lok-hei was one of six ecstatic teenagers who discovered they were bound for the UK at the 10th Jockey Club Youth Football Leadership Scheme graduation ceremony on Sunday.

They were chosen from the 53 15-to-19-year-olds who completed the six-month programme, operated in conjunction with Manchester United. It featured, among other things, football coaching, training in how to organise football events, mentor workshops and a leadership training camp.

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The Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said he sacrificed Father's Day celebrations to attend the graduation because "it was important to show appreciation for what all the participants had achieved".

"Our purpose is the betterment of society: to help young people fulfil their dreams and develop leadership skills," Engelbrecht-Bresges said.

"We believe sport is a key enabler to make you a better person and better leader."

Cheung said he was beset by nerves as the winners' faces were gradually revealed one by one on a big screen. During their week in Manchester, they will watch a Premier League match at Old Trafford, as well as engage in football and community activities.

The 18-year-old said it had been his goal to become a "great coach" since the age of 12, when he was ignored by a coach and did not have the chance to achieve anything in his team. "I want to find the best potential footballers for Hong Kong, like Barcelona found Messi," he said.

Cheung said the scheme had taught him to become more proactive and had helped him overcome shyness.

The highlight of his six months came when the participants took part in dragon boat racing as part of a self-challenge workshop.

"If one person is tired or lazy, the whole boat slows down," he said. "It showed me you can achieve much more as a team."

Cheung was looking forward to the "unique chance" to know more about coaching in England.

"I think what I learn will benefit grass roots football in Hong Kong," he said.

After attending Hong Kong's victory over India at a frenzied Kai Tak Stadium last week, he was also savouring the prospect of feeling the atmosphere in England and experiencing the fan passion.

The former Manchester United and England captain, Bryan Robson, was at the Happy Valley Racecourse ceremony.

"One of the key elements of leadership is man-management," he said. "Every player has a different personality, so you have to read them to try to get the best out of them.

"Bobby Robson and Alex Ferguson [former England and United bosses, respectively] were excellent at understanding people's characters and getting them to perform."

Another of the lucky six, Sam Lo Ka-yeung, said the month leading up to the announcement had been stressful.

A Manchester United fan, he could not watch his favourites in Hong Kong last month because of exams, so the chance to see them at Old Trafford is "a dream come true".

Another who harbours football coaching ambitions, the 16-year-old said: "I have learned how to communicate with people from different backgrounds and of different ages.

"I taught football to 110 kids and was more willing to express my ideas and plan with colleagues.

"I want to contribute my skills and knowledge to society ... as a coach I want to teach kids not only football skills, but the right attitude and how to communicate with teammates and coaches."

The other four places on the plane went to Brian Tang Yan-long, ⁠Tong Ka-shing, Gary Lee Ka-yau and Franke Wong Hi-shing.

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This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.

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2025-06-16T22:15:33Z