News

According to the Chief Executive's Policy Address, the Government's investment in the sports sector is clearly a breakthrough for sport in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) is very optimistic that the additional Government funding will significantly improve and facilitate overall support for sport with coordinated facilities and planning. It will enable the HKSI to provide a better training environment for elite athletes, allow them focus on training and further attract more young people to embark on the career path of an elite athlete.

Hong Kong is an international city and sports should be one of the key elements. Whether through hosting large-scale international sports events, or the outstanding performance of our elite athletes at international sporting competitions, sport has the potential to enhance the international status of Hong Kong and enrich the life of its citizens. So, the additional Government funding for local sports development is a very prudent investment in Hong Kong's future.

The Chief Executive's announcement of earmarked funds for the redevelopment of the HKSI and the allocation of an additional HK$40 million in recurrent expenditure to provide comprehensive support for our elite athletes, constitutes overwhelmingly positive news for the sports sector. The announcement further reinforces the commitment and support that the Government has rendered to sports development in Hong Kong until now.

Redevelopment of HKSI

The HKSI was built 25 years ago and some of the facilities are now quite outdated. Through the redevelopment of the HKSI, we hope that the overall training environment for elite athletes will be further improved, thus enabling our elite athletes to strive for more honours for Hong Kong. We will follow up with the Government on the details regarding the redevelopment of the HKSI.

Additional Government Funding

There are over 600-scholarship athletes at the HKSI. They mainly come from 13 elite sports and two disability sports as well as other non-elite sports under the HKSI's Individual Athletes Support Scheme. The additional funding will undoubtedly reinforce the overall support for these elite athletes, which includes training and coaching expenses, sports science and medicine support, stipends, education, enhancement of social skills, career guidance and training and so forth. With these comprehensive support services, athletes can better equip themselves and focus in their training. Moreover, additional support can attract more young people to become elite athletes and strive for more honours for Hong Kong in upcoming Major Games, such as the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, 2009 Hong Kong East Asian Games, 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled. The HKSI will actively discuss and follow up with key stakeholders for the usage of the additional funding.

Overall Government Support to Elite Athletes

The primary aim of the HKSI is to assist the Government in the implementation of elite sports training policy. The HKSI believes that through the additional funding and the Government's commitment to the sports sector, the development of local sports will undoubtedly have a bright future. The HKSI will act in accordance with the Policy Address by cooperating closely with all related sports associations to promote the development of elite sports. We will continue our efforts in the identification and nurturing of more talented athletes to strive for more honours for Hong Kong.