PolyU Makes History Admitting HK's First Full-Time Esports Athlete
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong Polytechnic University has made history by admitting Chan Pak-yin, a professional Street Fighter 6 player, as the city's first full-time esports athlete accepted through an institutional student athlete admission scheme. Chan, who claimed bronze at the Evolution Championship Series 2025 in Las Vegas and gold at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, will study Management and Marketing at PolyU starting the 2026-2027 academic year. The university enrolled 10 elite athletes total this year, spanning sports from badminton to figure skating, with several bound for the Nagoya Asian Games.
Key Points
- Chan Pak-yin becomes the first full-time esports athlete admitted to a Hong Kong university through the Student Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme
- He placed third at Evolution Championship Series 2025 in Las Vegas and won gold at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain
- Chan finished ninth at the 2026 Esports World Cup in Paris in July, achieving his personal best at the competition
- He will study Management and Marketing (Honours) Bachelor of Business Administration at PolyU
- PolyU Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) Professor Yang Liwei stated the university provides tailored learning support and flexible arrangements for student athletes
- Two other admitted athletes—footballer Zhao Congwu and badminton player Zhang Shicheng—will represent Hong Kong at the Nagoya Asian Games
- Student athletes admitted through the scheme can receive scholarships up to HK$400,000 during their studies
Why It Matters
This admission recognizes esports as a legitimate competitive discipline worthy of the same academic support as traditional sports, potentially paving the way for broader institutional acceptance of gaming as a professional career pathway in Hong Kong. The scheme's expansion to include esports athletes reflects the growing global significance of competitive gaming and may encourage more young Hong Kong residents to pursue careers in the industry while obtaining formal education.
This admission recognizes esports as a legitimate competitive discipline worthy of the same academic support as traditional sports, potentially paving the way for broader institutional acceptance of gaming as a professional career pathway in Hong Kong. The scheme's expansion to include esports athletes reflects the growing global significance of competitive gaming and may encourage more young Hong Kong residents to pursue careers in the industry while obtaining formal education.