News

A ceremony to mark the launch of the "Hang Seng Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme" (the Scheme) was held today (Wednesday) at Hang Seng Bank's Headquarters.

In the run up to the XXIX Olympic Games and XIII Paralympic Games to be held in Beijing in August next year, the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and Hang Seng Bank are again joining hands to encourage Hong Kong athletes competing in the Olympics and Paralympics to strive for glory by offering cash incentives for athletes with outstanding performances at the two Games.

Officiating guests at today's ceremony included Dr Eric Li, Chairman of the HKSI; Mr Raymond Or, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank; Mr Pang Chung, Hon. Secretary General of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC); and Mrs Jenny Fung, Chairman of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (HKPC&SAP).

Dr Li said, "The start of the Beijing Olympics is only 240 days away and Hong Kong athletes are gearing up to compete for entry to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Hong Kong community, to offer heartfelt support to our athletes and hope this Scheme can help encourage them to strive for excellence at the Games."

Mr Or said: "The Hang Seng Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme represents the Bank's long-term commitment to the development of sport in Hong Kong. We have been sponsoring the Scheme since 1996 and, to date, about HK$6.4 million has been awarded to a total of 81 outstanding athletes, including HK$2.8 million to Olympic athletes and about HK$2.1 million to Paralympic medallists. We are very proud of Hong Kong's outstanding athletes and the Scheme is a way to recognise their important contributions to their respective sports. I hope our athletes will continue to strive for glory in international competitions."

At the ceremony, badminton player Wang Chen, cyclist Cheung King-wai and disabled sprinter So Wa-wai helped the officiating guests to sound air horns, representing that Hong Kong athletes, supported by the business community, are fully committed to striving for great success at the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics. Hong Kong athletes at the ceremony pledged to give their all at the 2008 Games.

Hang Seng's sponsorship of the Scheme involves matching all cash incentives for Hong Kong medallists offered by the HKSI on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Individual gold, silver or bronze medallists at the Beijing Olympics (excluding those participating in demonstration / exhibition events) will receive HK$1 million, HK$750,000 or HK$250,000 respectively. The awards for team events are HK$1.4 million (gold), HK$1.2 million (silver) and HK$500,000 (bronze).

"The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will be the first time that the Olympics have been held in China. To participate in the Games is a major goal of all Hong Kong athletes, with winning medals our greatest wish. The Incentive Awards Scheme is certainly a boost in our quest for sporting excellence and making our dreams come true," said windsurfer Chan Wai-kei at the ceremony. Ms Chan is silver medallist in women's mistral at the 2006 Doha Asian Games.

For individual events (excluding demonstration / exhibition events) at the Beijing Paralympic Games, a gold medallist will be awarded HK$60,000, while silver and bronze medallists will receive HK$24,000 and HK$12,000 respectively. For team events, the incentives will be HK$84,000 for gold, HK$40,000 for silver and HK$24,000 for bronze.

Wheelchair fencer Yu Chui-yee said: "I would like to thank the HKSI and Hang Seng Bank for launching this Incentive Awards Scheme again. Support from the community, especially the business sector, for disabled athletes is of paramount importance. The Scheme drives us to pursue our dreams with able-bodied athletes." Ms Yu is winner of four gold medals at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games.

Re-launched by the HKSI in 2005, sponsored by Hang Seng Bank, and supported by the SF&OC, the HKPC&SAP, and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Scheme offers cash awards to local athletes who win medals for Hong Kong at the 10th National Games, the 4th East Asian Games and the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.