Three top student-athletes in cycling, Wushu Sanda, and ice hockey join Lingnan University through DESTA scheme
Lingnan University has admitted three elite student-athletes through the Direct Entry Stream for Top Athletes (DESTA) for the 2024/25 academic year. The successful candidates cyclist Ng Sum-lui, Wushu Sanda athlete Li Ka-yee, and ice hockey player Patten Lai have achieved outstanding results in their respective sports.Since the scheme was launch in the 2022/23 academic year, Lingnan University has accepted a total of eight elite athletes.
Ng Sum-lui and Li Ka-yee were admitted to the third year of the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Sports Coaching and Event Management, while Patten Lai will start his first year in the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Data Science.
Patten Lai (left) and Li Ka-yee (middle) attend the New Student Orientation Programme.
Ng Sum-lui is a member of the Hong Kong Sports Institute's Cycling Team. He represented Hong Kong at the Track Asia Cup 2023, finishing second in the Men's Elite Individual Pursuit. This June, he came third in the 2024 Hong Kong National Road Championships - 15-kilometre Individual Time Trial.
Li Ka-yee won the 60-kilogram category at the 2023 Kung Fu Star International Wushu Championships (Sanda), and represented Hong Kong at The 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu. Patten Lai and his teammates placed second for Hong Kong in the IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship Division 3b.
As part of the scheme, outstanding student-athletes will receive an allowance of up to HK$400,000 to cover learning and living expenses, and tuition fees, as well as opportunities for Mainland or overseas exchanges. They will also benefit from physiotherapy, medical support, and insurance coverage to ensure their well-being. Furthermore, the Office of Student Affairs will provide one-stop support from their admission until graduation for student-athletes’ training and competition schedules, study accommodation, examination arrangements and career planning advice to assist them in exploring professional development beyond athletics.