As the Olympic Games wrap up and we look forward to the Paralympic Games, I’ve been reflecting on the extraordinary success of Hong Kong, China athletes. In Vivian Kong, Edgar Cheung, Siobhan Haughey and all our other top athletes we witnessed a masterclass of Hong Kong’s “Can-Do” and “Play-To-Win” spirit.
Their success is a timely reminder of the power of sport to change lives. This is why it is one of the strategic priority areas of our Charities Trust, which has donated over HK$4.65 billion to sports development in the past decade alone.
The Club has a long history of supporting our elite athletes, stretching right back to 1982 when we joined hands with Government to establish what is now the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI). To date we have donated over HK$754 million, not only to HKSI infrastructure but also through The Hong Kong Jockey Club Elite Athletes Fund which supports the athletes’ training, education and career development. More recently we have again partnered with the Government to fund the establishment of the HK$300 million Sports Science and Research Funding Scheme, while the achievements of top athletes are now rewarded by the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme.
I should also mention the Club’s long-standing support for equestrian sport, which we nurture through our public riding schools and through the Hong Kong Equestrian Performance Plan (HKEPP), which supports Hong Kong’s elite equestrian athletes. Last year 51,000 people used the public riding schools, while 55 senior, youth and children riders benefited from the HKEPP. Seniors rides have also enjoyed great success as members of the Hong Kong, China equestrian team, winning two medals at last year’s Asian Games in Hangzhou.
One of our biggest contributions was HK$1.2 billion to construct the stables and competition venues for the equestrian events of the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which were held right here in our city. The Club was responsible for the design and construction of the venues and provided support through its equine hospital, racing laboratory and other facilities. All of this showcased Hong Kong at its very best, with the Club being officially recognised as an “Outstanding Contributor, Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Equestrian Events”.
Whilst we are immensely proud of our contribution to elite sport, we are equally committed to ensuring that “sport is for all”. Our investment at community level through initiatives such as JC Fit City and our partnerships with a wide range of National Sports Associations and NGOs are focused on encouraging and inspiring everyone to embrace a more active and healthy lifestyle.
Over the past decade, the Club has donated over HK$385 million to sports programmes targeting persons with disabilities or special needs, aiming to improve their fitness condition, mental well-being and social connectedness. This year alone we have committed an additional HK$98.15 million to directly benefit some 12,000 individuals over the coming three years.
Much of Hong Kong’s sporting infrastructure has also been funded by the Club. Of Hong Kong’s 44 public swimming pools, many were originally constructed wholly or in part with support from the Club. These include the first swimming pool at Victoria Park, opened in 1957, which was the first public swimming complex in Hong Kong. Also Kwai Shing Swimming Pool, the first public pool in the New Territories, and the Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool, which the Club funded in celebration of the opening of Sha Tin Racecourse in 1978.
Meanwhile, with over 3.8 million rounds played since the mid-1990s, golf lovers have benefited hugely from Hong Kong’s only public golf course at Kai Sai Chau, which has also enabled more than 15,000 students to learn and experience the game under the Trust funded schools outreach programme launched in 2017.
There is also the iconic Hong Kong Stadium, whose redevelopment into a brand-new stadium was undertaken and funded by the Club at a cost of HK$850 million. After reopening in 1994, it became the iconic home to both the Rugby Sevens and major football games for the next 30 years.
In support of football development, the Club has funded both infrastructure and community programmes. This includes HK$74.5 million for the construction of the Jockey Club Kitchee Centre and HK$221 million for the establishment of the Jockey Club HKFA Football Training Centre, which is both a home for Hong Kong, China representative teams and for the community football programmes we support.
Since its inception in 2015, the Jockey Club HKFA Football Development Programme has benefitted more than 150,000 participants across grassroots development, youth, coaches, referees, women’s football and futsal.
Over the past week we have hosted the annual JC Youth Football Academy Summit, which is part of our very successful partnership with Manchester United. Since 2012, the Club has been the Community Football Partner of Manchester United in Hong Kong, bringing innovative and professional programmes designed to encourage youth development across schools and community levels, inspiring our young people to strive for excellence and unlock their potential.
As part of the Summit, the Manchester United Academy U16 squad joined with Hong Kong, China youth players for training sessions and cultural activities under the theme of “Play Together, Learn Together and Train Together”. The highlight was undoubtedly the two matches played at Mongkok Stadium, with a Premier Youth League Select in action last Friday and the Hong Kong, China U16 Team on Sunday. The two matches attracted more than 9,000 spectators.
The Club, riding on its unique integrated business model, is committed to encouraging everyone to become more engaged with sport. Whether as a spectator or as an active participant and preferably both, we can all take heart from Hong Kong’s “Can-Do spirit’ as so brilliantly demonstrated by our Olympic athletes.
Comment
