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The "Hong Kong Sports Institute Scholarship Athletes Special Incentive Fund" ("SIF"), is administered by the Hong Kong Sports Institute ("HKSI") with financial support of HK$9 million from the Government's Facility and Programme Donations Scheme and the Grantham Scholarships Fund. It was launched in January 2006 and provides cash incentives, twice a year, to athletes who win medals at various levels of international competitions from 2006 to 2009, ranging from invitational events to world championships to the Olympic Games.

An accumulated total of over HK$4.74 million has been allocated to some 370 local athletes under the SIF on a semi-annual basis since January 2006. The latest payment batch, which amounted HK$0.94 million, has been granted to 108 HKSI Scholarship Athletes from 16 sports.

Beneficiaries on the recent SIF list all returned with excellent international sporting results during January and June 2008, including Leung Chun-wai and Lai Chun-ho (Athletics), Wang Chen and Yip Pui-yin (Badminton), Wong Kam-po and Wong Wan-yiu (Cycling), Cheng Man-kit (Equestrian), Chow Tsz-ki and Lau Kwok-kin (Fencing), Shek Wai-hung (Gymnastics), Chow Kwong-wing and So Sau-wah (Rowing), Wong Fai (Shooting), Chan Ho-ling and Chiu Wing-yin (Squash), Chan Yu-ning and Tsai Hiu-wai (Swimming), Ko Lai-chak and Tie Yana (Table Tennis), Yang Zijun and Zhang Ling (Tennis), Chan Shuk-han and Wu Siu-hong (Tenpin Bowling), Lee Chi-wo and Mak So-ning (Triathlon), Chan King-yin and Chan Wai-kei (Windsurfing), as well as Cheng Chung-hang and Zheng Tianhui (Wushu).

Amongst the recipients, table tennis duo Ko Lai-chak and Li Ching are two of the six athletes who received the highest amount of HK$22,000 in the latest payment batch, accumulating a record high of HK$74,500 each since the inception of the SIF in January 2006. "Encouragement such as this Fund helps uplift athletes' motivation in achieving better results in both local and international events. I further hope that it will give a better benefit for the young athletes of Hong Kong," Ko said.

Twenty-two-year-old Zheng Tianhui captured a gold medal in women's qiangshu at the 4th TAFISA World Sport For All Games – World Wushu Tournament. She received the SIF cash awards for the first time, saying, "I'm so glad to be one of the recipients and the award recognises my hard work and effort in the pursuit of sporting excellence."

The SIF benefits athletes under the HKSI's scholarship programme, covering more than 670 athletes from 11 elite sports and Individual Athletes Support Scheme, as well as the athletes of the two sports associations for the disabilities.