The lion leaps from pole to pole, its eyes blinking as if alive. Beneath its costumed head and body are young athletes, drenched in sweat, jumping in unison.

Watching it all unfold is their head coach Keung Wai-hong, who has spent his lifetime preserving the traditional martial art and dance form through Keung’s Dragon & Lion Dance Team.

“I think I heard drumbeats when I was still in my mother’s womb,” the 52-year-old said, laughing.

Keung and his brothers grew up watching their father do lion dance. Now, they are dedicated to passing these traditions to the next generation - including Keung's son. Check out an easier version of the story on Spark!

In places that prize academics and “winning at the starting line”, play is often dismissed as a reward to be earned only after tutorials and piano drills are finished.

But according to Avis Ngan – a registered clinical psychologist and founder of Mindsight in Hong Kong – this mindset is backwards. He spoke to Young Post about the importance of play and why it should not be seen as a break from development. 

Should students use their connections to boost their chances of getting a job? See what two readers had to say in our latest Face Off!