Love for ice hockey makes 58-year-old Hong Konger oldest athlete in Chinese National Winter Games

For many middle-aged and elderly women in China, square dancing is a favorite pastime. But for Chin Puisi Rebecca, a 58-year-old Hong Kong resident, playing ice hockey is the best way to keep fit.

"Playing ice hockey together with these young girls makes me feel younger and younger. It requires good coordination between my eyes, hands and feet, so it has helped me keep fit all along these years," Chin told Xinhua on Monday after a training session here ahead of the 13th National Winter Games.

Chin, who owned a balloon factory in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, started to play ice hockey as a hobby in 1998. She didn't receive professional training until 2011 when retired Chinese national team player Tan Anqi began her coaching career in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong ice hockey team are all amateur players, some of whom are college students and white-collar clerks. When big events come, they need to ask for a leave and pay all the expenses by themselves.

"Several players are over 50 years old. I'm really touched by their devotion," said Tan.

According to the organizers, Chin is the oldest athlete at the 13th National Winter Games which will open Wednesday in Xinjiang. Chin is excited about her first appearance in the quadrenniel event.

"Tan helped us a lot," Chin said. "Now we can not only represent Hong Kong, China, in the National Winter Games, but also play in international events. It was unbelievable several years ago."

It is probably Chin's last time to feature in the National Winter Games, but she hopes their participation will help raise the standard of ice hockey in Hong Kong.

"In Hong Kong, hundreds of kids now receive regular training under Tan's guidance. You would see a much stronger Hong Kong team in a few years," Chin said. Endit