If a “Most Improved Player” award existed, Kam Chi Kin Jason would surely be near the top of the list. Standing at 6’3”, Jason has gone from a “bench warmer” with only two appearances last season to a key pillar of the squad, recently earning the Gatorade Kitchee Player of the Month award for November and December.
Kitchee had only three center-backs at the beginning of the season, with Jason the sole local among them. The youngster, who turns 22 soon, knew it was “now or never” if he didn't prove his worth. He admits, “I didn’t play well when I got chances last year. I understood why I wasn’t picked. But as I got more minutes, my confidence grew, and I became mentally steadier.”
Jason joined Kitchee’s academy at age 8. His height once gave him dominance in youth football but made the step up harder. “In youth games, we controlled everything. In the first team, it was the opposite. I had to re-learn my instincts,” he reflects.
The turning point came this season through physical transformation. Over the off-season, Jason hit the gym, adding nearly 7kg with support from the club nutritionist. The once lanky prospect turned into a powerful presence.
Credit also goes to coach Iñigo Calderón’s trust. Even while managing his studies, Jason stays sharp with extra training. His confidence peaked in December against Eastern District at Mong Kok Stadium: “That was when everything clicked. I finally showed what I can offer.” Fans even dubbed him “Bec-Kam-bauer.” Jason laughs, “I know who Beckenbauer is, but I’ve never seen him play!”
Though he didn’t feature in the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup, Jason views the selection as validation. “It’s a bonus, but my focus is improving my own game and waiting for the right moment.”
As he establishes himself in the First Team, Jason knows there’s no longer a safety net of youth status - only talent and grit will keep him on the pitch.
The original article was published in the matchday program for Kitchee vs KC Southern in the Hong Kong Premier League on January 31, 2026.