Jockey Club pledges continued support for sports development at annual Community Day

Over the years, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has consistently supported advancement of the country’s sports development and the promotion of inclusivity in sports, encouraging people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to lead active and healthy lifestyles. In the last ten years alone, the Club’s Charities Trust has provided nearly HK$6.7 billion to support sports development at both elite and community levels.

To address Hong Kong’s evolving social needs, the Club has established a matrix of strategic, impact led charity focus areas and, in partnership with the community, supports a wide spectrum of initiatives serving different sectors and beneficiaries — among which sport is a key focus area. At The Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Day at Sha Tin Racecourse on 19 April, attended by over 200 charity and community representatives, the Club stated that it will continue its efforts to advance sports development in Hong Kong. The Club will support the HKSAR Government’s efforts to promote sports in the community, support elite athletes, maintain Hong Kong’s status as a centre for major international sports events, enhance professionalism in sports and develop the sports industry.

Club Chairman The Hon Martin Liao highlighted that horse racing is a symbol of the city’s prosperity and stability under One Country, Two Systems, and remains a highly popular sport, embodying Hong Kong’s “can do” spirit. This year’s Community Day featured sports as its theme, showcasing the Club’s contribution and strong commitment to sports development in the city.

Going forward, the Club will continue to work alongside stakeholders to contribute to Hong Kong’s sports development blueprint by leveraging major sports events as a platform to bring sports culture deeper into the community. Through continued support for multiple “M” Mark events as an Official Community Partner and the introduction of new initiatives such as “Racing with Rugby”, the Club aims to broaden participation — including among underprivileged groups — while enhancing economic impact, elevating Hong Kong’s international profile and promoting social inclusion.

In parallel, the Club will actively foster a vibrant community sports culture by developing iconic sports, including equestrian, football, basketball, golf and rugby, while strengthening talent development, corporate governance and management capacity across sports organisations to generate greater social impact, raise professional standards, support both elite and community sports, and work closely with the HKSAR Government and partners to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a world class destination for sports, entertainment and tourism.

The Club initiated the annual Community Day race meeting in 2005 as a way of honouring its successful partnerships with Government and community organisations for the betterment of society. This initiative followed the generous donation of a silver racing trophy, over 170 years old, by the late Tobias Brown, in recognition of the Club’s charitable contributions to the community.