BC Rangers captain Lam Ka-wai hoping to pass on the torch to next generation before calling time on trophy-laden career
- The 37-year-old playmaker’s thoughts are turning to life after football, with nurturing the club’s younger players his new focus
- Six-time Hong Kong top-flight champion is now coaching the Under-16s at Rangers Academy, as he looks to ‘chip in with my experience’
With his playing days numbered, BC Rangers captain Lam Ka-wai is hoping to pass on his experience to the younger members of the squad before calling time on his trophy-laden career.
Playing his third season back in his second spell at the club, where he began his career two decades ago, 37-year-old Lam knows he will be spending more of his time in the new Hong Kong Premier League season helping to nurture up and coming talent than actually playing.
But the midfielder – once Hong Kong’s most talented left-footed star – insisted he would still treasure every minute when he has the opportunity to pull on the shirt.
“I’m thinking about the future after I retire, and this is obvious at such an age,” Lam said as Rangers held an official kick-off ceremony for the new season on Wednesday.
“In fact, I am now also the coach of our Under-16 squad and work with my fellow teammate Lo Kwan-yi in the Rangers Academy.
“There are many quality young players in Hong Kong but somehow they may not know what professional football is about, wasting their golden years without realising their football talent.
“I hope this is where I can chip in with my experience and help them as I have good exposure in top-flight football.”
Starting as a young rookie with Rangers at 17, Lam moved to domestic heavyweights Kitchee six years after, having matured into a quality playmaker.
In his golden 10-year stay with the ambitious club, Lam helped them win six league titles and many other honours with his magic left foot.
He also memorably scored a spectacular curling effort from outside the box in an international friendly against English Premier League giants Manchester United in 2013, giving reserve United keeper Ben Amos no chance at all.
Lam left Kitchee in 2018 before joining fellow local giants Eastern for two seasons. He played briefly for the now defunct R&F in 2020 during the pandemic and returned to Rangers later that year.
Despite being a mid-sized club with a budget of around HK$7 million for the new season, Rangers still have the ability to compete, according to the captain.
“We may not have as many quality players as Kitchee or Lee Man but our fighting spirit has been second to none in the Premier League, as we have a strong squad of young and aggressive players,” Lam said.
“Of course we are not aiming for the league trophy as this is a long journey testing the overall strength of the club, but any team who wants to beat us in a single match must put in extra effort.”
Asked for which young prospects to watch out for this season, Lam named 17-year-old winger Joe Chan Yiu-cho – who joined the club from Lee Man – and midfielder Ma Man-ching, 20, formerly of Resources Capital.
“They both have great potential but need more exposure at the highest level,” said the captain. “The most important thing is they must learn how to play as a team, and not like in youth football when most of the players are trying to show off their individual skills. It may take some time but if they are given sufficient opportunities, they both have a chance.”
A notable return to the club is forward Lam Hok-hei, a former Hong Kong international who spent last season with Third Division side Tsuen Wan after leaving Rangers.
“I want to spend more time with my family after having a newborn baby and decided to quit the team last season,” said the 31-year-old. “But still my thought was to play in top-tier football, and I am not incapable. I know it’s going to be hard to restart again but I will do my best to impress the club and gain a regular position and if possible, a recall to the national team.”
