Owen Ng, Kurt Hahn Prize Winner 2025
Congratulations to Owen Ng from St. Paul’s Co-educational College, Hong Kong, winner of Round Square’s 2025 Kurt Hahn Prize.
Owen has been recognised for his exceptional work in founding Game On HK, a student-led initiative that connects teenage volunteers with underprivileged children to provide free access to sports. Since launching in 2022, the initiative has engaged over 2,000 children and mobilised more than 500 teenage volunteers across Hong Kong, harnessing the power of sport as a tool for empowerment and inclusion.
“Sport has the potential to change lives. I wanted to create a platform that gives children – regardless of background – a chance to experience the joy, confidence, and teamwork that sport can provide,” explains Owen, who is in Year 10 at St. Paul’s Co-educational College. “At the same time, I saw an opportunity for teenagers like myself to give back to our community in a meaningful and sustainable way.”
What began as a grassroots effort has grown into a citywide movement. Game On HK provides free training in basketball, football, badminton, tennis, and table tennis, with new disciplines being added each year to broaden participation. The organisation hosts regular sports camps and community events, while also collaborating with schools and local NGOs to reach children in underserved neighbourhoods.
Game On’s impact has been further amplified through strategic partnerships and support which Owen has secured, providing high-quality equipment and access to professional facilities. Owen’s work has also received national recognition through a number of awards, including the Save the Children Children’s Champion Award 2024, the Spirit of Hong Kong Award (Spirit of Youth category), and the “Outstanding Youth Volunteer/Group” Award from the Hong Kong SAR Agency for Volunteer Service (AVS).
One powerful story Owen recalls is of a young boy who attended a Game On basketball camp having never held a basketball before. “His family couldn’t afford basic sports equipment, let alone training,” says Owen. “But six months later, he was representing his school in interschool championships and winning medals. That’s the kind of transformation that motivates me to keep going.”
Mr Frederick Poon, Principal of St. Paul’s Co-educational College and nominator for the award, said: “Owen’s initiative exemplifies long-term, sustainable impact. He has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and service in line with Round Square’s IDEALS, and his efforts have transformed lives. His vision and commitment continue to inspire a new generation of changemakers.”
The Kurt Hahn Prize is an annual award presented to a student or group of students from a Round Square school in recognition of an exceptional act of service to others. The award is donated by alumni of Salem School in Germany – one of the founding Round Square schools where Kurt Hahn served as Headmaster.
Rachael Westgarth, Chief Executive of Round Square, said: “Owen is a very deserving recipient of the Kurt Hahn Prize, and a great example of a Spirit of Service in action. It goes to show how one young person’s initiative can be channelled and supported to make a genuine and meaningful difference across a whole community. We have been particularly impressed by the way in which he has inspired other young people to volunteer through his programme, and congratulate Owen, and St Paul’s Co-educational College, on the achievements of this remarkable young man.”
Owen will give a talk about his initiative and receive a trophy in recognition of the Kurt Hahn Prize, at the Opening Ceremony of the Round Square International Conference in Dubai in September.
Follow Game On HK on Instagram: @gameonhk
Website: https://www.gameonhongkong.org