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With the HKSAR Government’s HK$1.8 billion funding support, the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) Redevelopment Project has reached a significant milestone with the completion of the foundation works for the new buildings. Construction of the new building superstructures has now commenced under the third and largest construction phase. To commemorate this historic moment, the HKSI is honoured to invite The Hon Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the HKSAR as the Guest-of-Honour to lay the foundation stone for the third phase of the whole Redevelopment Project at a ceremony held today (25 July) at the HKSI, which was witnessed by over 210 guests from the Government, Sha Tin District Council, sports sector, sponsors, partners, elite athletes, coaches and media, etc.

Other officiating guests included Dr Eric Li, Chairman of the HKSI; Florence Hui, Acting Secretary for Home Affairs; Pang Chung, Hon Secretary General of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC); Prof Frank Fu, Chairman of Elite Sports Committee; Wai Kwok-hung, Chairman of Sha Tin District Council; Marigold Lau, Director of Architectural Services; and Bobby Cheng, Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services.

Dr Eric Li said, “We are very honoured to have the presence of Mr Tsang today to officiate at our Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony.  Mr Tsang, in fact, is no stranger to the HKSI, he visited us once in January to understand elite athletes’ training, education and other development needs.  In fact, the Government’s support to us is long-standing, which includes the allocation of a HK$1.8 billion funding to enable the whole HKSI Redevelopment Project and the recent proposal of setting up of a HK$7 billion Elite Athletes Development Fund, which has also been newly approved by the LegCo’s Finance Committee last week.  We are all grateful to this.”

“With the support of the Government and other sectors, I am optimistic to the road of elite training and athletes’ prospect. Elite athletes have been facing different challenges and changes over the past few years, such as the temporary removal in 2007 and the moving back in 2010; yet they managed to overcome all these difficulties and had achieved excellent results at the 2009 East Asian Games, the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games and Asian Para Games.  With the gradual completion of the Redevelopment Project and the unfailing support from all sectors, I am confident that the elite athletes can continue to strive for better sporting achievements for Hong Kong.” Dr Li added.

Many athletes are thrilled to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony.  Table tennis player Li Ching said, “I have been training in the HKSI for 11 years, it has become my second home. I really look forward to the completion of the new HKSI, so we can have a better environment for training and living.”

Wheelchair fencer Yu Chui-yee said, “Many elite athletes have reached the top tier in the international sporting arena. I believe that with the state-of-the-art facilities, we could receive much better support and further maximise our potential and performance.”

The Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) Redevelopment Project is being carried out in three phases.  Phase one works include the refurbishment of the existing indoor sports complex at Fo Tan venue and the construction of a temporary velodrome at Whitehead, and Phase two involves the foundation works of the four new buildings (including the 9-storey multi-purpose building, 52m international standard indoor swimming pool, rowing boathouse and multi-purpose sports hall).  Phase one was completed in early 2010 and Phase two in mid 2011.  Phase three is mainly the superstructural works of the new buildings.  All the new sports facilities are to be completed in 2012.