Held early this month at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, the Huamengxing Children’s Carnival Basketball Show saw kindergarten students from Macau’s Hou Kong Middle School (Kindergarten) showcase their talents on a national stage.
The carnival was hosted by Guangzhou Huamengxing Sports Development Co., Ltd.
The Post interviewed several teachers and students on the school’s campus on Rua de Afonso de Albuquerque last week.
According to the organisers, the annual carnival is guided by “Passion, Cooperation, Joy, and Confidence”. Through its systematic showcase platform, it creates an event serving as a “hall of honour” for very young players, helping them learn teamwork, sportsmanship, and self-confidence.
Regarding the students’ outstanding performance, head teacher Liu Wai Fong and deputy head teacher Fong Ka Man explained that the kindergarten has integrated basketball into its Physical Education curriculum. This includes one lesson per week for K1 to K3 classes, alongside extracurricular exercise sessions and three-on-three skills classes, developed progressively in stages.
The directors emphasised their philosophy of “joyful basketball”, which places little emphasis on winning or losing. Instead, losses are treated as valuable learning experiences, helping children develop resilience, courage, a fearless attitude towards setbacks, and emotional management. Parents were also updated on their children’s progress during the final meeting. Through progressive training, the school enables children to learn tactics through play and enjoy sport.
Guo Kai, the K3 basketball coach noted that the children are naturally passionate about the sport and highly self-motivated. Many take the initiative to have the extra practice, creating a positive cycle of self-improvement. He emphasised that playing basketball provides a concrete setting for young children to experience “not being afraid to lose”, whilst promoting home-school collaboration and connecting them to a wider world. Meanwhile, K2 coach Sae Khiu Joana uses a game-based instruction, first building the very young students’ interest before gradually introducing tactical concepts. In both coaches’ view, participating in competitions is not just about winning awards; it also gives teachers, parents, and students the opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from mainland kindergartens, helping everyone grow together.
Three K3 students spoke about their experiences with the Post. Tam Chi Ioi said that what he enjoyed most at this month’s competition was shooting because it helped his teammates score. He also enjoyed the challenging between-the-legs dribbling move, adding that he felt brave and was not afraid to compete against other children.
Li Chak Him said his favourite part was scoring, and that he loved learning new skills from other children so that he can use those skills in the future.
Cheong Weng U said she loved doing basketball exercise the most, having previously won first place with it. Even when facing tough opponents, she was not afraid and believed she could learn by watching them. She admitted that although her team lost, she enjoyed the experience of playing together with her teammates even more. All three students said they would continue to take part in competitions.
Parents also spoke highly of the event’s effectiveness. Tam Chi Ioi’s parent said her son had started playing basketball in K1, and after competing in K3, he had grown in confidence, become more resilient to physical contact, and improved his self-discipline.
Lei Chak Him’s parent noted that her son had progressed from being afraid to challenge for the ball to actively asking his teammates for the ball and scoring. Both his mental resilience and physical coordination had improved. Even when facing national champion opponents, he had learnt to enjoy the game and push his own limits, embodying the sporting spirit of “not being arrogant in victory, nor discouraged in defeat”.
Cheong Weng U’s parent said her daughter had gained a deeper understanding of winning and losing, and often took the initiative to practise with her father in her spare time. All parents agreed that the school should continue to promote sporting activities, believing that sport is highly beneficial for children’s physical and mental health and overall development.
Hou Kong Middle School (Kindergarten) students and their parents and teacher pose on the campus at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies early this month. – Photos: Hou Kong Middle School
