PolyU admits 10 elite athletes through SALSA Scheme, providing comprehensive support for their dual-track academic and athletic development
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to promoting holistic education and has consistently supported outstanding student-athletes in pursuing dual-track academic and athletic development. This year, PolyU has admitted 10 outstanding athletes through the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission (SALSA) Scheme. They will embark on their undergraduate studies in the 2026/27 academic year, laying a solid foundation for their future multifaceted development.
The newly admitted student-athletes have demonstrated exceptional performances, having represented Hong Kong in numerous international and regional competitions with impressive results in sports that include badminton, esports, football, karate, figure skating, squash, wushu and taekwondo. They will be pursuing a diverse range of undergraduate programmes in disciplines including in Accounting and Finance, Applied Social Sciences, Fashion, Management and Marketing, Medical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy, Radiography, and Sports Technology.
Prof. Ben YOUNG, PolyU Vice President (Student and Global Affairs), welcomed the 10 student-athletes to the University and said, “PolyU is not only a cradle for nurturing professional talent, but also a platform that encourages students to push beyond their boundaries. We provide student-athletes with tailored academic support and flexible learning arrangements, enabling them to acquire diverse academic knowledge while pursuing professional athletic excellence. We hope that they will bring their resilience and determination—to constantly push limits and break boundaries—into their academic pursuits, inspiring and motivating other students to strive for excellence and help foster a vibrant campus culture.”
Among PolyU’s newly admitted student-athletes is CHAN Pak Yin, Hong Kong’s first full-time esports athlete to be admitted to a university through the SALSA Scheme. Last year, he won a bronze medal in Street Fighter 6 at the Evolution Championship Series 2025 in Las Vegas, USA, as well as a gold medal at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain. In July this year, he competed as the sole representative from Hong Kong in the 2026 Esports World Cup in Paris, France, achieving a personal best by placing ninth in Street Fighter 6. He will enrol on the PolyU BBA (Hons) Scheme in Management and Marketing. He said, “I am delighted to be the first esports athlete admitted to PolyU through this Scheme. I am grateful to the University for providing flexible learning support, allowing me to balance my training, international competitions and studies. I look forward to broadening my professional knowledge at PolyU while continuing to bring honours to Hong Kong on the international esports stage and inspiring more esports athletes through my own experience.”
Two athletes set to represent Hong Kong at next month’s Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, have also been admitted: ICHIKAWA Sohgo, who plays football for the Hong Kong Premier League side Lee Man Football Club, and badminton player CHEUNG Sai Shing. Ichikawa Sohgo previously helped the Hong Kong team achieve a historic semi-final finish at the last Asian Games in Hangzhou. He will be studying on the BBA (Hons) Scheme in Accounting and Finance. He said, “PolyU provides support for student-athletes, such as flexible class schedules. This gives me the confidence to balance my football career with my academic development, while also planning for my future career.”
Cheung Sai Shing recently won a gold medal in the mixed doubles (U19) at last month’s Indonesia Junior International Grand Prix, following a silver medal in the mixed doubles at last year’s Asian Youth Games in Bahrain. He will make his debut representing Hong Kong in the men’s doubles at the upcoming Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, as well as at the 2026 Badminton World Federation World Junior Championships in Egypt this October. He will be pursuing the BA (Hons) Scheme in Applied Social Sciences. He remarked, “The PolyU badminton team is highly competitive and the University is deeply supportive of student-athletes pursuing dual-track development in both academics and sports. I hope to dedicate myself to social policy and social innovation in the future to give back to society.”
Also admitted this year is figure skater Jarvis HO, who has won medals at the Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy for five consecutive years. He will enrol on the BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy. He noted that an athlete’s career is often accompanied by varying degrees of wear-and-tear and injuries, making the professional guidance and psychological support of physiotherapists particularly crucial. He said, “The Physiotherapy programme at PolyU has a long history and the University’s support for student-athletes is comprehensive. This allows me to pursue my studies while remaining focused on training and preparing for next year’s World University Games in Changchun and Jilin City. I aspire to become a professional physiotherapist while also contributing to the development of winter sports in Hong Kong.”
PolyU offers various scholarships to student-athletes every year in recognition of their outstanding athletic achievements. Elite athletes admitted through the SALSA Scheme may receive scholarships worth up to HK$400,000 over the course of their studies. PolyU also provides student hall accommodation, enabling them to learn and grow from a fulfilling residential life, alongside a comprehensive suite of support services. These include individual academic mentoring, flexible class and assessment arrangements, and options to extend their study periods.
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