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The Hang Seng Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (Scheme) will present HK$6,136,000 to Hong Kong's East Asian Games (EAG) medallists - the largest cash award ever received by Hong Kong's athletes under the Scheme.

This latest payout will boost the total amount given to outstanding athletes under the Scheme to HK$15,758,000.

Achieving ground-breaking results, Hong Kong athletes won 110 medals - 26 gold, 31 silver and 53 bronze - to rank 4^th in the overall medals table for EAG.

To encourage outstanding performances by local athletes at the EAG and recognise their contributions to Hong Kong sport, the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and Hang Seng Bank have doubled the cash awards under the Scheme for Hong Kong medallists at this year's EAG. As a result, a total of HK$6,136,000 in cash incentives will be presented through the Scheme to about 200 Hong Kong medallists from 18 different National Sports Associations. The presentation ceremony will be held in January 2010.

Among the medallists, squash player Chiu Wing-yin will receive the highest individual cash incentive - amounting to HK$237,000 - after bagging 3 gold and 1 silver medals at the EAG.

Dr Eric Li, Chairman of the HKSI, congratulated all the medallists and noted the brilliant performances by Hong Kong athletes at the EAG. "Hong Kong athletes have ably demonstrated their strengths and perseverance during the various competitions to start a new chapter in Hong Kong's sports history. We are very proud of them. We are extremely pleased by the strong support given to our athletes by the people of Hong Kong during the EAG, which has proved to be a big encouragement for athletes. We are also grateful to Hang Seng Bank for its long-term support in providing not only cash awards but also recognition of our athletes in the wider community," he said.

Mrs Margaret Leung, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank said: "Winning medals at important sporting events requires years of hard work and lots of sacrifice. Hong Kong athletes did remarkably well at the 5^th EAG, marking Hong Kong's best-ever performance at the Games. On behalf of Hang Seng, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to our local athletes for their brilliant performance. Their determination and unfailing competitive spirit have brought glory and pride to Hong Kong."

Organised by the HKSI in 1994 and sponsored by Hang Seng Bank since 1996, the Scheme has offered cash incentives to local athletes to encourage and recognise their outstanding performances at the Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games, the East Asian Games and the National Games. Hang Seng Bank matches the cash incentives offered by the HKSI on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

List of Awarded Athletes (PDF)