$7.9b funding aims to turn HK into sports industry tiger

Ayra Wang

Nearly HK$7.9 billion will be spent on sports development this fiscal year - more than double the spending a decade ago - Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui says, with the goal of boosting public interest in different sports and developing sports as an industry in Hong Kong.

Law told lawmakers yesterday that the Urban Sports Funding Scheme, which was launched in 2023, has attracted over 2.7 million participants joining 37,900 sporting activities in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

She stated that 2025-2026 will see the regularization of the pilot program on Subvention for New Sports.

"We aim to enhance the public's interest in different sports activities, creating conditions for the development of sports as an industry," Law explained.

She added that the administration has been providing training and support to elite athletes, assisting them to excel in international competitions in order to generate sports awareness and fan following, as well as increase the sales of tickets and sports apparel.

She said Kai Tak Sports Park, which will commence operations this first quarter, will enable Hong Kong to host major sports events, giving local teams more opportunities to compete at home while also increasing consumption from global spectators.

However, Law said the authorities will carefully review contracts with organizers of government-funded major events to ensure the proper use of subsidies and that events add value to Hong Kong.

"We will study establishing a mechanism to ensure that government-funded major events will not damage the city's reputation," said Law, adding that it will become harder for poor event organizers to rent venues.

She suggested developing a "cheering club economy" for local sports teams to promote peripheral development in outbound tourism and merchandise sales.

The government will take reference from mainland and overseas cities' sports development, as she noticed that many mainland cities have been advancing on modern sports industry system, sports products and services and sports consumption.

Meanwhile, Law noted that an average of 350 large-scale concerts were held annually in the city over the past two years, attracting over 1.5 million tourists who spent around HK$3.7 billion.

She said pop concerts held at the Hong Kong Coliseum brought in HK$140 million income from rentals in the past two years.

Law said the city has contacted over 250 local and overseas organizations, many of which agreed to use Kai Tak Sports Park to organize large-scale sports and entertainment events.

Lawmakers asked if the administration will invite Canto-pop's "Four Heavenly Kings" - Jacky Cheung Hok-yau, Andy Lau Tak-wah, Leon Lai Ming and Aaron Kwok Fu-shing - to join the opening event at the park.

Without confirming who will be performing, Law said she expects numerous local celebrities to perform at the opening.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com