News

Following the temporary re-provisioning of the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) headquarters in the YMCA Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village (WKSYV) on 1 January, the main supporting facilities for elite athletes have begun operation and the Athletes' Hostel opened today (15 January).

The new Athletes' Hostel, comprises two three-storey blocks, situated in a relaxing and pleasant environment. With bigger rooms, compared with the old hostel, the new Athletes' Hostel can accommodate over 100 athletes. Each unit, contains twin and/or triple bedrooms, with a bathroom and a kitchen area. Internet service is also provided in each room so that athletes can study online at any time convenient to them after training. A common room with audio and visual facilities, a multi-media learning centre and meeting rooms are also available at the ground floor.

Zhang Rui, table tennis Women's Doubles silver medallist at the 2006 Asian Games said, "I feel very comfortable in the new environment as the new Athletes' Hostel is surrounded by trees, and the rooms are more spacious and equipped with sophisticated facilities for self studying."

Windsurfers Chan King-yin and Cheng Kwok-fai are satisfied with the new accommodation, saying, "The bedroom is quite big and each unit has a bathroom and kitchen. Internet service is also available inside the room and it is much more convenient than living in the old hostel."

An opening ceremony was held at WKSYV today to welcome the elite athletes into the Hostel. About 100 athletes and coaches attended a briefing session and a tour to understand also the arrangement of other supporting facilities, such as sports science, sport medicine, meal services, etc.

HKSI Vice-Chairman Mr Tommy Tam said, "The HKSI aims at providing a conducive environment in which sports talent can be identified, nurtured and developed to pursue excellence in the international sporting arena. Athletes are fully committed in both local and overseas training and competition. A tranquil environment is vital for athletes to take a break after the intensive training sessions. The new Athletes' Hostel, with extra built-in equipment and facilities, can definitely provide a better living environment to our elite athletes enabling them to concentrate on their training."

"We firmly believe that the successful removal exercise of the HKSI headquarters is due to the joint effort of all parties concerned, including the Home Affairs Bureau, WKSYV, Leisure and Cultural Services Department as well as respective National Sports Associations. The success clearly demonstrates the importance of close partnership among the sporting authorities and different sectors of the community. The HKSI will continue to work closely with them to promote the development of elite sports by identifying and nurturing more talented athletes to strive for more honours for Hong Kong."

Located at the WKSYV, the new headquarters of the HKSI will continue to provide a wide array of facilities for elite athletes, including the athletes' hostel, sports science and sports medicine services, a fitness training centre, restaurant as well as a number of training facilities for elite sports.