Asian Games success should be a turning point for sport in Hong Kong
- The results were achieved against the odds and now there is a need for more support from the government, the private sector and the community
Hong Kong’s athletes will look back on the 19th Asian Games, which concludes in Hangzhou on Sunday, with much pride. They punched above their weight in one of the world’s biggest sporting events, sweeping a record haul of more than 50 medals, including eight gold.
Swimming, fencing and golf topped the podium for the first time. There was also success in windsurfing, wushu, bridge, equestrian and athletics events, as well as cycling, karate, rugby sevens and rowing. There was even a medal for esports, the first time the discipline has featured.
The team richly deserves a hero’s welcome, but much more than that. Their success, following unprecedented medal winning feats at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has been achieved against the odds. Now, there is a need for more support from the government, the private sector and the community. This should be a turning point for sport in Hong Kong.
Sporting success at the elite level and the return of the city’s international events should not mask the challenges ahead
The city’s athletes were hit hard during the pandemic, when facilities closed, events were cancelled and both training and competing became extremely difficult. Hong Kong’s reputation as a venue for international sporting contests took a battering.
Thankfully, elite competitions have returned. The successful staging of the Hong Kong Masters snooker tournament in October last year was soon followed by the eagerly awaited Rugby Sevens. The Hong Kong marathon in January is expected to feature 74,000 competitors, just short of the 2019 record. This is encouraging.
But success at the elite level and the return of the city’s international events should not mask the challenges ahead. Much more needs to be done if Hong Kong is to build on the Asian Games achievements.
The city’s golfers made history in Hangzhou and the Hong Kong Golf Association achieved Tier A status with the Sports Institute this year. But the players have no government facilities on which to train. Eight holes they used on the Old Course at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling have been turned over to the government amid plans for public housing. There have been calls for more support for the sport.
Hong Kong’s young footballers reached the semi-final for the first time with a shock win over Iran, an extraordinary achievement. Their impressive performance was forged through determination and discipline.
The burden for ensuring Hong Kong’s anthem is played should not be placed on the athletes.
But goalkeeper Tse Ka-wing lamented there had been little improvement in the city’s domestic game since the team’s last famous victory, at the East Asian Games in 2009, urging the government to value the sport. Coach Jorn Andersen said the city’s footballers need to train and play more to compete with the top teams.
The sporting sector has also been hit by the unfortunate playing of a protest song instead of China’s national anthem at several international events. Players and officials have been criticised and even questioned by police while being required to follow stringent new rules. The burden for ensuring the right anthem is played should not be placed on the athletes.
Meanwhile, long-standing problems with booking sports facilities continue, with the government battling to overcome touts with new regulations and penalties for abuse. This issue has persisted for more than a decade. Ultimately, the answer lies in developing more venues.
Hong Kong’s elite athletes have made great strides despite the difficulties of recent years. Now preparations are under way for the Summer Olympics in Paris next year.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu hailed the team’s achievements and pointed to the HK$7.4 billion the government has injected into the sector over the years. Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, Hong Kong’s chef de mission, described the team’s performance as a “breakthrough moment” and promised further backing.
That support must be provided, along with more sponsorship from the private sector. Cultural change is also required. Parents need to know that a career in sport is worth their talented children pursuing.
Congratulations to Hong Kong’s athletes. They have done us proud. But their reward should go beyond medals, with sport being put at the forefront of Hong Kong’s post-pandemic recovery.
