An Unusual Childhood - Stepping into the Ring at Age 11

Let’s imagine this - at 11 years old, instead of going to tutorial classes after school, you are taken by your police father to box and sweat with the at-risk youths. That was the childhood of Ng Ka-ho, now a Physical Fitness Instructor at the Police College.

“Boxing is super tiring!” Ka-ho laughed. As his father was often busy with work, he took him along to volunteer at the boxing class of Operation Breakthrough so they could spend time together. “So glad I joined my father. Training and sweating with those young people not only strengthened my willpower, but also inspired me to follow in his footsteps and join the Force.”

A Passionate Police Father - Founding Contributor of Operation Breakthrough

The boxing class Ka-ho mentioned is part of the voluntary youth training activities of Operation Breakthrough, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. His father, retired Inspector Ng Chit-bun, is one of the founding members.

“In 1996, the Force wanted to help young people who had received Superintendent's Discretion get back on the right track through sports,” recalled Mr Ng. “My colleagues knew I know how to box, so they asked me to volunteer with them. The idea was really meaningful and I agreed right away - and I took Ka-ho too. The response to the programme was very positive. Later, other activities like rugby and dance were also added, and the programme was renamed Operation Breakthrough.”

The Ultimate Father-and-Son Duo: From Young Follower to Special Duties Unit Officer and Instructor

Once a little boy standing beside the ring, Ka-ho later became an Airport Security Unit officer, and even won a silver medal in boxing at the World Police and Fire Games. Today, he has succeeded his father as a volunteer boxing coach too. The father and son have become the best duo.

Fighting for a Remarkable Life with Boxing

Over the past three decades, this father-and-son duo has seen countless youths-gone-astray regain confidence in the ring, and transformed their impulses to get into trouble on the streets into motivation for life. Quite a number of them even joined the disciplined services or became social workers later to help other lost children find their way back.

Lives Inspiring Lives

The years that the pair spent in the boxing ring reflect the true spirit of the Force’s motto, “Serving Hong Kong”. Beyond their regular police duties, they serve as life coaches in their spare time and inspire others. Through the power of boxing and the impact of companionship, the duo guide the youths to rediscover their self-worth, and lead them back to the right path to become a positive force in society.

Since its inception in 1996, Operation Breakthrough has been engaging serving and retired police officers as volunteers to help the at-risk youths establish correct values through various sports training. For officers interested in joining as volunteers, please contact us through email at info@breakthrough.hk.