Local athletes to get added bonus for bringing home medals through Jockey Club sponsorship

Hong Kong athletes in training for Hangzhou’s upcoming Asian Games stand to reap additional rewards for bringing home medals, with news that The Hong Kong Jockey Club will sponsor the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme.

The Jockey Club has announced sponsorship of the scheme in its continuing support for the Hong Kong Sports Institute. The scheme aims provide cash incentives to recognise athletes who earn distinction for Hong Kong by winning gold, silver or bronze medals in top-level competitions.

Seven major sporting events are covered by the scheme: the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, Asian Para Games, National Games, National Para Games and FISU World University Games. Cash rewards will also be awarded to athletes finishing in fourth to eighth places in the Olympics and Paralympics in recognition of their achievements.

For the Hangzhou Asian Games, which begin in September, an individual athlete winning gold will also pocket the sum of HK$1 million under the scheme, while a team gold will be rewarded with HK$2 million, for example. Grace Lau, who won the gold medal at this year’s Asian Karate Championships, agreed the scheme is motivation for athletes to strive for better results.

The Jockey Club’s sponsorship extends its support for the incentive scheme for three years, and comes as local elite athletes gear up to compete in this year’s Asian Games as well as the FISU World University Games in Chengdu.

“The Club’s sponsorship of the Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme reflects its wide-ranging support for the Sports Institute and elite athletes,” Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said. “Through our support we also want to recognise the huge effort and dedication of our best athletes.”

The Jockey Club, a long-standing advocate of sports development, has supported the building of sporting infrastructure as well as the professional development of Hong Kong athletes, so they can compete on the global stage. Over the years, it has promoted sports at the community and elite levels through numerous initiatives, enabling people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle.

(sponsored feature)