Cash in on Hong Kong athletes’ star power to help develop sports sector, industry chief says
- Hong Kong Sports Institute’s chief executive also says government subsidies for athletes should not be seen as salaries, amid livelihood concerns
The head of a Hong Kong sports body has encouraged businesses to cash in on athletes’ star power to help develop the sector amid concerns that current subsidies remain too low to retain promising talent.
Tony Choi Yuk-kwan, chief executive of the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI), said on Saturday that government subsidies for athletes should not be viewed as salaries and that commercial sponsorships would help to develop the sector.
“The people will cheer for them and give them applause, providing a driving force for their pursuits … having sports celebrities can drive the development of the whole industry and we now see a proliferation of fencing schools.”
Choi also dismissed fears that athletes could spend too much time on celebrity endorsements instead of training and argued they would be guided by their coaches on how to best manage their time.