"Aim for the moon; if you miss, you might still hit a star."
This is the message 16-year-old Owen Ng shares with children across Hong Kong — a reflection of his own journey leading Game On, a student-run initiative that has grown from a small idea into a citywide movement over the past three years.
Back then, Ng never imagined how far he would come. What started as a struggle to find volunteers and connect with organizations has now become a thriving community of nearly 500 volunteers, reaching over 2,000 underprivileged children. His efforts have earned him multiple accolades, including the top 10 Hong Kong Outstanding Teens award, the Hong Kong Volunteer Award: Outstanding Youth Volunteer, and the SCMP Spirit of Hong Kong Youth Category Winner 2024.
But for Ng, these awards are not just personal milestones — they represent the collective strength of his team and the impact they've made together.
The Game On logo — a tortoise and a hare — is inspired by the classic fable, and it's deeply symbolic. Ng explained that in the race of society, some children, for various reasons, "may have already lost at the starting line." However, through the sports opportunities and volunteer services provided by Game On, they hope to accompany these children so that they can still "win the race" in the end.
One moment that stayed with him was a volunteering event at a kindergarten. After the activities, the children sang a thank-you song and presented a drawing signed by everyone. He felt deeply moved, realizing that their "efforts were acknowledged."
Now entering Form 5 and preparing for the challenges of the IB exam, Ng is also thinking ahead: how to make Game On sustainable without relying solely on his time. His plan? Setting up independent committees for different sports — basketball, tennis, and table tennis — to build a more decentralized and self-operating structure.
Owen Ng's story is more than just a youth success story. It's a blueprint for dreaming big, leading with heart, and building a legacy. He proves that no matter where you start, with perseverance, purpose, and a bit of imagination, you can light the way for others — and maybe, even change the world.
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