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SHKPers

Passionate captain of the basketball team – Joe Kan of the Construction Department

28.08.2023


KAN

Many SHKPers are basketball enthusiasts. Joe Kan, who has played basketball for over 40 years, has changed his role from a powerful 200-pound centre blocking offensive shots near the basket, to a reliable coach of the Sanfield basketball team, encouraging his team from the sidelines. The only thing that remains unchanged is his passion for basketball.

Taking every game seriously

Many Sanfield colleagues love playing basketball, and they have regular gatherings and play matches during their leisure time. When they heard that the Construction Industry Council had launched a basketball league, they decided to take the game more seriously. In 2017, they formed the Sanfield basketball team. Persisting with regular training and participating in various competitions, the team delivered quality performances and often secured a top-three finish in the Construction Industry Basketball League. This year, the team seized the league championship for the second time. In addition to the awards, Joe reckoned that team spirit is the most precious thing nurtured from the competitions and training. "I always believe that playing basketball is the best way to create team spirit," he said. "Our team develop trust and close relationships when they support each other on the court, and this team spirit leads to smooth teamwork in the workplace as well."

The joy of being a coach

Joe says he was a passionate basketball player when he was young, always fighting for every point when he stepped on the court. As time passed, he changed his role from player to coach, and he experienced the joy of coaching as well. 

"Standing on the sidelines, you can observe the performance of the players and the strategies and tactics adopted by your opponents to provide more comprehensive advice to your players." Although he enjoys being a normal spectator, when he focuses on the matches of his team, he finds it hard to refrain from shouting at his players to give them reminders. His passion makes him the best coach for the team.

While his team strengthen their skills and physical fitness through regular training, Joe took a basketball coaching course and received basketball coach accreditation late last year. Even though playing basketball is just a leisure activity, Joe tries his best to play and coach professionally and has become a passionate, dependable leader of the team.

Passing on valuable experience

Joe passed his passion for basketball down to his son, who sometimes appears at the Sanfield basketball team's training sessions and joins competitions with his father. Joe said his son would rather follow other people’s instructions than listening to him. "I took the basketball coaching course to help my son enhance his basketball skills, but he doesn't want to listen to me, even though I am a qualified coach!" he laughed. However, Joe believes that his efforts were not in vain, as he can give good advice to his team on the court and help them achieve outstanding results from another position. 

Joe said that some of the team members attended the A or B Division matches of Hong Kong Basketball League and have professional skills, but they need support from a team coach. "Even though they are skilful, they need an outsider to remind them of certain things and give advice to help them adjust their tactics when they make mistakes during a game." He said that he has a management role in the workplace, which is similar to being the coach on the basketball court. Both roles require you to observe your team members' performance and give suggestions at critical moments. He is happy to take on this role, as it helps create valuable team spirit.

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