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In honor of World Health Day, which took place on April 7, we’re highlighting Hoops + Health program partner, InspiringHK Sports Foundation (IHKSports). Hoops + Health powered by Sun Life and Beyond Sport is a regional initiative that promotes healthier lifestyles for youth across Asia through basketball.
As a way to address the growing concerns surrounding youth inactivity in Hong Kong, IHKSports promotes mental and physical wellbeing. As part of its mission to combat youth inactivity, close the gender gap in sports and make sports accessible to underserved communities, the foundation is creating lasting impact through a diverse range of programs.
Zoe Mau, Fundraising Manager at IHKSports confirmed that the top challenge Hong Kong youth face include increasingly sedentary lifestyles. With academic pressures often taking precedence over physical activity, children and teenagers are moving less, leading to health issues such as obesity and mental health struggles.
In response, IHKSports launched the MVPA60HK Campaign. “Only 8% of kids were meeting the World Health Organization’s recommended 60 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), driven by heavy school workloads and a culture prioritizing desks over fields. We knew we had to act,” said Mau.
The intervention engages schools, corporations and families to inspire a cultural shift toward active lifestyles. “The driving force was simple: to turn a vague, scientific concept, MVPA, into a clear, actionable goal,” shared Mau. The result was the “MVPA60HK Indicator,” which tracks youth physical activity in order to improve engagement levels. Since 2019, they have commissioned the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the University of Hong Kong to conduct a study measuring the exercise hours of students for a week. Research results are published annually and serve as an important benchmark for youth activity levels. With a target to increase the MVPA achievement rate to 16% by 2030, IHKSports is determined to bring about long-lasting change in Hong Kong’s approach to youth health.
Another area IHKSports is actively addressing is inclusive programming that encourages sports participation with girls as well as boys. Cultural norms in Hong Kong often discourage girls from engaging in sports, leading to lower participation rates and perpetuating gender stereotypes. Inequitable access to sports resources and facilities is another pressing issue. Many underprivileged youth have financial limitations or geographic constraints that prevent them from accessing quality sports programs.
To ensure equal access, the foundation runs inclusive initiatives that welcome both girls’ and boys’ participation. One example is the “WELL DUNK! Public Estate Basketball League and Training Program,” which equally fosters the development girls’ basketball teams and celebrates their participation and achievements in the sport. Additionally, the Foundation brings its affordable sports programs and coaching to underprivileged areas to assist young people of all backgrounds to participate in physical activities. “Whether it’s a kid from Kwai Chung picking up basketball or a teen in the North District trying golf, we’re leveling the playing field one swing, kick, or run at a time,” said Mau.
IHKSports believes in the holistic benefits of sports participation, viewing physical activity as a pathway to both mental and physical wellbeing. Sports like basketball, running and stretching not only improve cardiovascular health and combat obesity but also cultivate resilience, reduces stress and enhances focus — all essential elements for young people facing academic and social pressures.
By engaging parents in the process, IHKSports also creates a supportive environment where families can embrace healthier lifestyles together. The foundation’s long-term goal is to advance a culture of physical activity that extends beyond the individual to influence entire households, improving wellbeing across generations.
“We view sports as the foundation for a healthier, wiser life—a gateway to lifelong habits that benefit both body and mind, starting with the individual and rippling out to their household… We’ve seen shy teens blossom after a race or kids with ADHD find calm through stretching exercises. A single basketball session might ignite a love for movement that lasts a lifetime,” said Mau.
In addition to its grassroots initiatives, IHKSports has seen significant success with its partnership in the Hoops + Health program. Now in its second year, the program helps young people gain access to skilled and experienced coaches who teach not only dribbling and shooting but also teamwork and perseverance – skills that can be translated beyond the court. “In Hong Kong, professional sports training is often a luxury—costly and concentrated in wealthier areas—leaving underprivileged kids sidelined. Hoops + Health flips this by delivering top-tier coaching to their doorsteps, free of charge,” shares Mau.
Through its innovative programs and partnerships, IHKSports is helping to shape a healthier, more active future for Hong Kong youth by tackling youth inactivity, promoting gender equality in sports and ensuring that every child has access to sports opportunities. As part of Hoops + Health, youth from IHK Sports will have the chance to attend a basketball festival event in the coming months bringing together the local community and fostering overall wellbeing. Hoops + Health is bringing basketball interventions to North District and Hong Kong Island, rolling out its 2025 program with renewed energy. With the foundation’s commitment to building a healthier society through sports, the future of Hong Kong’s youth looks brighter than ever.
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