Chairman’s Statement
2019/20 has been a challenging year for the local sporting community, yet Hong Kong athletes have persevered with the spirit of excellence amid the unpredictable environment, and continued to deliver excellent results in the international sporting arena.
During the year, Hong Kong athletes brought home over 260 medals from Multi-Sports Games, World Championships and Asian Championships. Many athletes from Olympic and Paralympic sports have risen to the top of the world, including cyclist Lee Wai-sze, who recorded a 20-month winning streak in international sprint races; fencer Kong Man-wai, who achieved the year-end world number one ranking in the women’s epee; gymnast Shek Wai-hung, who took two consecutive World Cup titles; swimmer Siobhan Haughey, who clocked the world’s fastest short-course time of the year in 200m freestyle; and para badminton athletes Chu Man-kai and Wong Chun-yim, who once again won the men’s doubles title at the World Championships. We look forward to seeing the athletes perform their best at the Olympics and Paralympics next year.
As Hong Kong athletes continue to achieve outstanding results on the world stage, the number of elite sports and athletes has increased significantly. The Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) supported about 1,300 athletes in 2019/20. Over the past five years, the number of full-time athletes has almost doubled to 525, and we have seen ever increasing demand from coaches and athletes for sports science and sports medicine, reflected by an increase of over 10% in service provision this year. To cope with the future needs of the HKSI sports and athletes, it is essential that our facilities and support services stay abreast of latest developments. I am delighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has reiterated in the 2019 Policy Address its commitment to take forward the new facilities development project of the HKSI, which includes the construction of a new building with two multi-purpose training venues, as well as sports science and sports medicine facilities, for the sustainable development of local elite sports. The HKSI has also succeeded in seeking additional Government funding to enhance direct financial support to elite athletes from 2020/21. In addition to a basic increase of 8% in grant levels, there will be an additional stratified adjustment for full-time athletes in the “Elite C” and above categories, with the total increment reaching as high as 23%.
_1602150613.jpg)
To stay at the forefront of global trends in elite sports development, the HKSI has maintained close collaborations with international counterparts. To date, we have engaged in Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with 35 different parties, including the Preparation Office for the Olympic Games of the General Administration of Sport of China, and various elite training and research institutions in mainland China, to facilitate local athletes’ preparation for Major Games. In November 2019, we attended the annual congress of the Association of Sports Institutes in Asia to exchange views with member institutes on the latest development in elite training systems in the region. Locally, we also joined hands with research and development institutions on various projects, including the launch of a sports aerodynamics science initiative with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to enhance Hong Kong cyclists’ performance at Major Games.
In the area of athletes’ education, following the establishment of partnership with nine tertiary institutions, we have extended our network this year with the signing of two new MOUs with the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong and the Technology and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong respectively, in order to provide athletes with more options and flexibilities to study, and enable them to manage academics and full-time training at the same time. As of year end, a total of 68 elite athletes were studying in postgraduate, undergraduate and higher diploma programmes at the 11 tertiary institutions under the MOUs. Meanwhile, 72 athletes were pursuing their senior secondary education under the Partnership School Programme.
The HKSI has been proactively looking for new source of funding for various programmes and community engagement activities to support the long-term career development of coaches and athletes, and promote local elite sports to the community. During the year, we have successfully secured title sponsorships for a number of programmes. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has committed over HK$15 million in support of the Hong Kong Coach Education Programme for a further four years. The "Community In Action" programme, sponsored by Hang Seng Bank, has been launched to encourage elite athletes to pursue all-round development and prepare for post-athletic careers. Through sponsoring the HKSI Open Day, the Bank of Communications (Hong Kong) Limited provided an opportunity for its staff, clients and the public to find out more about the HKSI’s work. In addition, we reached over 1.1 million visitors through more than 550 community engagement programmes, and over 5.3 million people on HKSI social media platforms.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020, many sectors including sports have been severely affected. The pandemic has led to the disruption of athletes’ training schedules, and cancellation or postponement of many international sporting events. To ensure the health of athletes and staff and provide them with a safe training and working environment, the HKSI has implemented a series of preventive measures since January, including special training arrangements, coronavirus testing for athletes and staff, as well as thorough sterilisation and application of anti-microbial coating to all public areas and offices on the premises.
In view of the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics to 2021, the HKSI has been working closely with National Sports Associations (NSAs) to provide full support for the affected sports in adjusting athletes’ training plans and Games preparations. I offer my sincere thanks to the HKSI Board members, management, coaches and staff who promptly responded to the coronavirus outbreak and worked together as a team for the well-being of everyone at the HKSI.
On behalf of the Board, I also offer my gratitude to the HKSAR Government; the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled and the NSAs; and the education sector, media, sponsors and the community for their long-term support and collaboration.
With great challenges come great opportunities. I believe the difficulties we faced this year will open new doors for the sporting community and society as a whole. I look forward to joining you all in assisting the elite athletes to reach new heights in their pursuit of sporting excellence.
Dr Lam Tai-fai SBS JP
Chairman, Hong Kong Sports Institute Limited
