Khateeja and Sabiha, both of Pakistani descent, are participants in the Jockey Club "Project Mix" Multicultural Sports Programme ("The Programme"), part of the Organization's Services for Ethnic Minorities Unit. They developed a deep interest in dodgeball during their primary school years. When they moved on to secondary school, they discovered that the Sports Programme was forming a dodgeball team and eagerly reached out to social workers to join.
However, traditional family expectations and cultural backgrounds posed challenges. They had to manage family expectations while balancing exams, household duties, and part-time jobs, making it tough to dedicate time to training. Nonetheless, their enthusiasm for dodgeball grew, and their outlook began to change. Sabiha noted, "I feel I must take on more responsibility for the team... since this matters, I need to learn to manage my time better."
Yeung King Ting, a social worker from the Programme, encouraged them to explore various development opportunities and suggested they apply for funding from the "CLAP@JC Family" initiative, specifically the "Youth-led Project Fund" (DSE Graduate Project), to support their dreams. With this funding, they earned their dodgeball referee licences, becoming Hong Kong's first South Asian female referees. Their passion and achievements also inspired their families, granting them more freedom to pursue their paths.
While interning as referees, Khateeja and Sabiha were exposed to professional dodgeball leagues and met many current athletes, learning that many have full-time jobs. "Some are teachers who come to the league with exam papers at night, and some arrive in suits." they observed. This level of commitment expanded their vision for the future. "Even if I have a job in the future, I'll keep playing dodgeball." Sabiha asserted.
The Programme aims to use South Asian cultural and emerging sports like cricket, hockey, and dodgeball as a medium to link various sports associations, coaches, and serving athletes, promoting a healthy, inclusive, and supportive community.
