The Young Reporter

The mental health crisis among young athletes in Hong Kong has become a pressing concern, with many facing significant psychological pressures as they strive for success in sports while managing academic commitments.  A recent survey by the Hong Kong Sports Institute reveals that approximately 40% of young athletes aged 18-25 experience symptoms of anxiety, while 35% show signs of depression. These statistics highlight the urgent need to address mental health issues within the sports community. Young athletes are navigating a complex landscape where the demands of competitive sports often clash with their educational pursuits.  Or Siu-yuen, a 20-year-old football player in the Wing Yee Football Team in the Hong Kong First Division League, shared his personal experiences with these pressures. “After graduating from secondary school, the pressure increased significantly because my academic performance was not ideal. This led me to enrol in a higher diploma program related to fitness and exercise nutrition. The challenge of balancing my studies and my football career leaves me feeling increasingly lost about my future,” he said. Or elaborated on the difficulty of pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer while managing his education.              “The conditions for advancing to the Hong Kong Super League are tough, and to pursue my dream of becoming a professional footballer, I might have to sacrifice my studies. But currently, I feel stuck at a crossroads, unable to fully commit to either path,” he said.  Or also expressed the familial pressures he faces, “My family expects me to finish my studies and start working soon, but my progress in football hasn’t reached a level where I can support myself. This creates immense pressure every time I engage with football, making me feel that if I don’t succeed, I might have to give up …

Several parts of Queensland are bracing for more flooding after days of extreme rainfall in the area. Brisbane and greater southeast Queensland were drenched after days of severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Though the rain is expected to end on Thursday, more flooding is possible near the Warrego River, which flows through Queensland and New South Wales. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the river saw heavy rainfall of over 150 millimetres in the last 8 hours to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, leaving rising water levels and major flooding in southeast Queensland. More showers are expected on Thursday and Friday, with flooded areas under close monitoring and warnings to be issued. On Wednesday, BOM released a severe weather warning for central Queensland, stating that total rainfall could reach 160 to 180 millimetres in six hours and up to 250 to 300 millimetres over 24 hours. The department warned residents in the area to brace for heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding, floods caused by rain in less than six hours. Last Saturday, the police rescued a woman who was trapped in her car in Rochedale, South Brisbane, after nearly 100 millimetres of rain fell within three hours in the region. In 2022, the state saw a record average rainfall of 778 millimetres which was 25% above the average of over 20 years. As of Tuesday, the BOM recorded heavy downpours for several Brisbane suburbs, including Rosalie with 46mm, Toowong with 45 mm, Green Hill with 43mm and Youngs Crossing with 33mm. Samuel Karjadi, a resident of northern Brisbane, said that he almost experienced a car accident on his way home last Thursday because of the storm. “It was quite dark and the road was slippery as well. I nearly hit someone’s car in an intersection near my house,” …