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The Hang Seng Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (Scheme) will present HK$10.3 million in cash rewards to Hong Kong medallists at the 16^th Asian Games (AG) in Guangzhou – a record high cash incentive total from a single sporting event.

The Hong Kong delegation achieved breakthrough results at the recently concluded AG, winning 8 gold, 15 silver and 17 bronze totalling 40 medals.

To recognise this outstanding achievement by Hong Kong athletes, the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and Hang Seng Bank will award HK$10.3 million in cash incentives to 82 Hong Kong medallists representing 14 different sports. This amount significantly exceeds the HK$6 million in rewards presented to Hong Kong medallists at the East Asian Games last year.

The presentation ceremony will be held on 17 December at the Penthouse of Hang Seng Bank. Among the medallists, cyclist Wong Kam-po will receive the highest individual cash incentive – totalling HK$600,000 – after winning one gold medal and one silver medal at the Games.

Mrs Margaret Leung, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive of Hang Seng, said: "We are delighted that Hong Kong athletes have achieved historic results at this year’s Asian Games. Along with their ‘can-do’ spirit, their many years of hard work and determination deserve to be recognised and celebrated. All Hong Kong athletes at the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games gave their very best and, in some cases, their blood, sweat and tears, to achieve sporting excellence and win glory for our city. Along with everyone else in Hong Kong, I am extremely proud of our local athletes. Many congratulations to the Hong Kong team!"

Dr Eric Li, Chairman of the HKSI, praised the excellent performance of the Hong Kong athletes at the Asian Games, especially female cyclists Lee Wai-sze and Wong Wan-yiu. "Lee won the first gold medal for Hong Kong on the first day of the Games, thus boosting the morale of the whole Hong Kong team, while Wong’s unyielding determination to overcome pain and persevere until the end of the competition reflects the ‘never-give-up’ spirit of Hong Kong. "To compete in a high-level sporting competition such as the Asian Games, Hong Kong athletes have not only demonstrated their ability to strive for athletic excellence, but more importantly good sportsmanship and dedication to achieving their very best, providing valuable life lessons to everyone in Hong Kong," Dr Li added.

Organised by the HKSI since 1994, the Scheme provides cash awards to medal winners at seven Major Games. Hang Seng began sponsoring the Scheme in 1996, providing additional cash incentives to local athletes who achieve outstanding performances at the Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games, the National Games and the East Asian Games. This year, the Bank has extended its cash incentives to medallists at the AG and Asian Para Games to further support the development of local sports. This latest payout will boost the total amount given to outstanding athletes under the Scheme to over HK$26 million.

Table of Cash Incentives Awarded to Hong Kong Medallists at the 16^th Asian Games (PDF)