Hong Kong volunteers rise to occasion at Asian Games

During the training, Ho had her first experience of entering a stable and getting up close to horses, allowing her to gain firsthand knowledge about stable operations, horse nutrition and equine routines.

Following requirements set by the Asian Games Organising Committee, she completed online classes, studied relevant material, passed exams, and was finally selected as a volunteer after several months of preparatory work.

Last month, with the support of her colleagues, and using her accumulated leave, Ho freed up time in her work schedule for her voluntary duties.

She arrived in Hangzhou on Sept 19, staying in a hotel about a 50-minute drive from the Tonglu Equestrian Centre, which hosted the Asian Games equestrian events.

Every day, Ho rose at 4 am to ensure she arrived at the competition venue by about 6 am to begin work two hours later. She was often busy until late in the evening, sometimes until 11 pm or midnight, frequently only managing to get about five hours' sleep each day.

Ho was responsible for providing services as an English-language interpreter. She helped athletes, technicians and staff members from different countries and regions to communicate with each other.